It started out pretty easy. So easy in fact that I began thinking to myself that we would catch up to the other group in no time! After a minute of upward walking my lungs started burning. I told Chris that I was confident in making it all the way. I was in for the surprise of my day once we turned the corner...
After about 35 minutes total we made it to the top of the hill. It wasn't the very top, but we conquered the nastiest part of the trip. Once we got to the top of the canyon, Chris called to see where everyone was at. We were supposed to meet them at the very top. Sadly they had already made it to the top and were already back to the bottom of the canyon. So we turned around and headed to the entrance. Down the slopes and stairs and hills. This proved more difficult than the ascent because my shoes have no treads or traction on the bottom so I found myself sliding at times as I tried to find footholds. All the way to the bottom. Using the MyFitnessPal app, I found out that the hour of hiking I had done had burned nearly 1,200 calories! Woo hoo! After all that torture we met up with a few of the people to lunch then it was off to the gym! I did only 15 minutes of cardio and then worked on Chest and Arms.
As we left the gym, I was talking to Chris and I decided that I'd like to return to Runyon Canyon once a month and take the stairs challenge. I will not stop until I can go from bottom to top without any breaks. This challenge was not impossible but I do have a ways to go before I can declare it thoroughly defeated. I've added that to my list of Frankbox Achievements and I updated the photo section as well so you can see some of the shots I took from the top and along the way. I enjoy getting out and adventuring in the world. Hiking adds fun and beauty to the efforts of physical activity! I'm finding more and more ways to keep myself active besides walking to the library and running in the gym. With each new activity I become more and more eager to make it out from my own canyon of obesity and become the happiest me I can be!
That night, we celebrated our victories with waters and a bonfire on the beach. A beautiful way to end a very physically demanding day!