This morning I decided I wanted to take a new trail on my hike. Raven and I went one way and realized it led to my normal trail up to Robber Roust so I turned around and went back to take a new trail, Peralta Hills. I knew from when I walk inside the main park this was a tough trail, but I wanted to see what it was like from up top! This trail started out lovely with a nice lookout point and bench at the top. BUT as I kept proceeding, I realized that this was an extremely steep and rocky hill. Today was not the day to try it out.

I went down a portion on the very rocky steep path with about a 45% grade. Sheesh! I went maybe a couple of hundred feet down and proceeded to turn around. I got scared!!! When the trail is this steep and rocky I like to have someone with me, just in case. This is one trial I will do, but I want to do it with someone. This way if I fall, twist an ankle, or just can’t get my butt up that hill, I can have some help.

At first, I was bashing myself, inside of my head. Telling myself I was not accomplishing my goal, I am never going to be able to do it, I can’t climb this steep hill, etc. All the negative thoughts I have usually in my head about myself! But then I realized this was silly. Look at what I am doing. I am out on the trails. Even my back Dr. is amazed at what I am doing. I am exercising 4-5 days a week, I got my hind side out of bed this morning and even though my ankle was aching, I still got out to the trails. OK, Kristin, tomorrow I will attach this hill and master it!

The reason I am telling you all this? I want to help you realize it is ok to stop once in a while. It is ok to have fear. It is OK to turn around. The problems come when you repeatedly do it over and over and never go back to try it again. You never push yourself to perpetrate more, always telling yourself you’re a failure!. If I would have given up the very first time I took a hike on a steeper hill and never came back to it, where would I be today? Not stronger. Not healthier, Not having more endurance. And certainly not accomplished! Yes, accomplished. I may not be doing 25-mile hikes, but for my body, my size, my injuries, my handicap, I am accomplished. Should I, can I, will I do more? You bet!

So on those days where you have more aches and pains than a normal day, your body is screaming at you from the get-go, but you still head out to the gym, the trail, the walk around the block, it is OK to take it slower, to only do some, and if necessary to stop and turn around and head back. Just make sure you lace up those boots tomorrow and head back and NEVER give up entirely. Never tell yourself you are not able to accomplish whatever goal you set. And NEVER let the fear and negative self-talk take completely take over and rule your goals!