A few weeks ago, I decided to take Capella and hike the M- Trail.
Clearly, they forgot the A.
It is a bit less than a mile of switchbacks up to the concrete M (for Mary-Ann) above the University of Montana campus.
After doing it that first time, I hurt for three days. Serious hurting. Ibuprofen-level hurt, which is a lot — I did have three kids with no pain meds, after all.
What the heck?! I exercise a lot — why did that hurt so badly?! SO ANNOYING!
Answer: The downhill!
View from the second switchback
And so I have been doing this hike once a week — because I was annoyed that it hurt so much.
I think that is a funny reason to drive to Missoula and hike up a mountain — because it hurt. But there it is, and today was the day for this week.
I turned from my driveway to find this little friend peering at me from the side of the road.
I wished the escapee good luck and drove away, pondering the random things that happen in my life. I mean — do you see calves in the bushes as you drive on your street?!
I take Capella on these hikes. The trail is narrow and so her more serious nature is perfect. If people want to pet her — cool. She stands still while they admire her. Otherwise, she completely ignores passing people and dogs.
She poses nicely for photos, doesn’t ever pull on the leash, and in all ways acts like I have spent a long time training her to be perfect (which I have not — she was born this way).
I love getting to the top — the views are so wonderful.
And then I take on the hard part — the downhill.
But so strange — it hasn’t hurt since that first time I did it. I think there is a lesson in that. Don’t be afraid of hard things. Or maybe — it won’t always hurt. Just keep climbing.
❤️