The Phoenix Traveler

Arizona summers are long, long, long, and those of us who live here relish the day when the temperatures start to move away from those three digits. That day has come.

For those of us who are outdoor lovers, even 90 degrees means we can ride the bike longer, hike the trail farther, add a few more miles to the run, and generally not worry too much about heat exhaustion. Still need that water and sunscreen, though.

So it is that I’ve been hiking again recently. And I’m not the only one. Take a look at local health blogger Michelle May’s post about her observations on a recent hike she took. If you’re an avid hiker, or even a sometimes hiker, you may recognize the people she mentions. Do any of them describe you?

She must have overlooked my type, the Huffer & Puffer. You can not only spot me, but you can also hear me from a distance. I’m the one who looks as though she’s barely going to make it when I’m first getting back out there on the trail. It’ll take my body a few weeks–and lots of “Where’s the bench? I need to rest” comments before it adjusts to the strain of the uphill climbs. It’s usually the boulder hopping that threatens to do me in. But I go on, especially after passing the 80-year-old granny. I saw her yesterday morning coming down the Piestewa as though it was an easy morning stroll around the block. In between my huffs and puffs, I told myself, “Great! There’s no way I can back down now. I’m half her age… Gotta. Keep. Climbing.”

Thank goodness I made it.

If you’ve made it uphill and down recently, post a comment below and let us know what and who you’re seeing out there on the trail. Do you have another hiker “type” you can add to the list?

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