Choose Strong
For Tim.
Every summer, there have to be a few hot days with temperatures in the high 90s,
when they give "Excessive Heat Warnings," but it almost never rains. I don't
remember a warm night turning into a stormy morning since I came to the Bay
Area. That was what happened Sat night, however. The heat kept me from sleeping
for the first half and thunders woke me up early morning. I checked email,
pushed a meeting to the evening, filled up two 28oz bottles, got into the car,
and headed for Mission Peak.
The air was still warm, the sky was dark with clouds, and it felt humid,
reminding me of the sweltering August of Beijing. Not many people showed up for
hiking today and I had no problem parking along Mission Blvd. In the midst of
thunders and lightnings, I started the climb.
The trail was clean and packed. The morning showers were just enough to pat the
dust down without turning it into mud. 50 yards into the first incline, I
started to trot. Uphill, I honestly felt that running, however slow, was faster
and really sometimes easier than walking. With both body and mind focusing on
the trail it felt like meditation. I surprised myself by micro-stepping all the
way to the summit without stopping for the first time.
After a short water break at the top, I turned south for the Horse Heaven Trail.
I seemed to be in a better shape than last Sunday and enjoyed some downhill
pounding. I was very thankful for the clouds, the soft clean trail, the occasional
breezes and even imagined that some deity was helping me.
After the break at the Standford Ave trail head, however, the clouds could hide
the sun no longer. The ferocious golden star beat down with a vengence. Its
life-giving rays felt stinging on my skin. By the time I micro-stepped to the
middle of the second climb, only half a bottle of water was left. I hiked the
rest of the uphill to the peak and finished all the water.
Downhill I ran. It was again painful but not more than usual. I finished in 3hrs
and 40min.
The way things go, I might become famous on MP someday. Often, people noticed
my sandals and uphill running. On the second climb today, I got asked "Is it your
second time up?" twice and "Good job in those shoes!" once. The other day, a
girl I passed uphill called out "You are my hero. I want to be like you!" as I ran
down the steep slope under the summit. I truly appreciated the attention but felt
awkward trying to respond. I will run some different routes once the weather
cools down.
