Approaching 50 is not easy although I think I’m doing better than when I turned 40. That was a birthday I’d like to forget. My eyes were no longer 20/20, clerks and waiters were calling me ma’am (I really hate that) and AARP sent me an invitation! Now I wear reading classes without shame, drive around in my mid life crisis woody PT Cruiser and have a son ready to go off to college. Today I took a step towards enjoying life and looking forward instead of backwards.
Seven years ago we moved from Kaimuki to Hawaii Kai. It’s a great community with good restaurants, shopping centers, and a giant volcanic cinder cone called Koko Head. The summit is just over 1200 ft above sea level. There is a trail up to the top. It follows what’s left of an old military rail line. To reach the top there are approximately 1100 “steps” to climb. This hike has been on my bucket list for a while now and today was the day to do it.
I took a vacation day and headed to the park. At about 7:15 am I started to climb. My friend advised me to take it slow and enjoy the views, which I did. I also called Gordon and even answered a couple of emails along the way. There were lots of nice people going up and down. Just before the really steep section, I met a nice woman who was visiting from L.A. We stopped and chatted (translate: rested) for awhile. We gave each other encouragement as the climb got tougher.
We reached the summit and celebrated. Well, she celebrated; I looked at the steps and wondered how I was ever going to get down!
After taking a few pictures and spending some quiet time taking in the incredible views it was time to head down. That proved easier than expected but was tough on the knees. I reached the bottom just as it started to rain. My legs felt like rubber but my spirit was soaring. I did it!
I know for many people this hike is easy. There were people running up and down and my friend Ray tells me he can get to the top in 24 minutes! It took me around 40 minutes just to get to the top! I’m not a very good hiker. My team at work (most of them anyway) LOVES the outdoors. They hike, bike, rock climb, swim, do triathlons. That might have been me along time ago but not anymore so for me this was a real accomplishment. It wasn’t easy but very rewarding. It gave me a confidence boost. Now I am thinking – what’s next? Oh, maybe I better not say that. If my teammates read this I shudder at what they might suggest!
50 is just a number and the best is yet to come!
May 2010
