Of Hiking and Goal Setting
Editors Notes: I published a previous version of this article about a week ago. I have since edited and hopeful present an imporived copy. Nick
By Nicholas Grimshawe
Every chance I get, Felix, my short hair German Pointer and Emma, my Lab Sheppard cross head out for a hike along the many trails near my home in Mission British Columbia.
Our favourite hike is reservoir trail, which is up hill and down dale through the woods above Stave Lake. This gives us a good workout. The climb back up to the car being the hardest part. Recently as we drove to this trail, I notice cars parked nearby but on the opposite side of the road. I decided that we would explore that trail the next time we were out.
Yesterday we tackled the walk, and I mean tackled. We arrived at the trailhead early in the morning so I can be forgiven for not really registering part of the trail information. I did note that the hike was 3.7 Kilometres one way. Okay, we were use to that. The other sign left me wondering. The sign read, 1,100 H with an arrow pointing up. A posted warning indicated that the trail was an active logging road and to stay alert.
Another sign said, Hoover Lake Trail.
I turned to the dogs and said, “We’re going to Hoover Lake.â€
The trek began in good fashion along a wide, winding logging road with a gentle upward slope. Early on, I heard a logging truck coming and quickly gathered up the dogs at the side of the road and waved to the driver as he passed. Then we were off again. As we progressed the road became steeper, but with the sun blazing in the sky, we soon left the sound of civilization behind.
Every once in a while, I stopped to catch my breath. The road continued to get steeper. By this time I welcomed the few level plateaus we came to. Some how, I missed the 1 Kilometre sign, though I did find it coming back down. We continued in this huffing fashion, stopping to regain my breath and wait for my heart to slow down a bit. Then off we would go to tackle the next steep rise.
The logging road wound up through the trees. On each side, the forest spread away into the distance. The only sounds were my huffing and the babbling of streams running down beside the road. As we climbed upward I hoped with each curve we rounded that the climb would be over, but oh no, up we continued to go.
I did spot the 2 kilometre sign and again the mysterious 1,100 H ↑ .Out of breath I looked around. An old logging trail veered off to the right and seemed to lead to an open area where there could be a spectacular view. Ahead on the trail, we faced a very steep grade.
We could turn off here, go see the view, and then go back down. This option was very tempting. While I explored my options, a fully loaded logging truck made its way down hill.
When I thought about turning around and calling it a day, a little voice in my head reminded me of all the information I’d been reading about goal setting. A quote came Cialis to me. “ Most people quit with their goal within sight.†I didn’t want to do that. Then there was the thing about the pebbles from “The Richest Man In Babylon “ If you resolve to throw a pebble into the water off a bridge every day for 6 weeks, then you must do that. Moreover, you can’t cheat by throwing two pebbles one day and say that is for two days or throw all the pebble over at once. You must stick to your resolve.
With those arguments rattling around in my head, I took a deep breath and on we climbed. This climb was the steepest yet. Imagine my joy when we came around a curb in the road and the trail levelled out. “Ah see, just like Jim Rohn (inspirational speaker) said. People quit with the goal almost attained. We walked along happily in the sunshine pleased that we had pushed on toward our goal, Hoover Lake.
My smile didn’t last too long, however, cause as sure as a turn in the road, I faced another steep climb. Again, I looked back. Again I was reminded about quitting with the goal in sight, though in this case there wasn’t even a glimmer of a lake anywhere near by.
Off we trucked again. My right leg ached from the effort, but I put my head down and forged ahead.
After about ten minutes of this strenuous uphill climb I came to the 3 Kilometres mark and the penny finally dropped. A sign read 1,000 metres H with the ↑. The three of us had just struggle up 1,000 metres! We only had a 100-metre climb and a .7 kilometre walk left.
We were almost there. Wasn’t I glad I’d decided to continue? The lake must be near by.
Wrong.
We struggled upward again, no lake in sight. The logging road appeared to go on forever, and in reality, it goes far beyond the lake as I discovered later.
Finally, we came to a very worn sign that said “Hoover Lake Trail†700 metres.
The trail leads off from the logging road. Again, we stopped (actually I stopped) the dogs seemed totally unimpaired by the walk. Thank goodness, the return trip was all downhill.
Wrong.
I am more determined than ever to reach Hoover Lake, wherever the hell it is.
Off into the forest we go. The first thing I noticed is how dark it is deep in the forest. The trail is very narrow and all up hill and dale. When I thought we were finally descending we’d head back up the side of a hill. The trail was old and not often used. Many of the wood plank bridges over gullies were suspect, but they held up. At one point, we came out near the logging road again all though it towered above us.
Then we were down hill again. Finally, I could see water between the trees. One hour after we started out, 1,100 metres below, we arrived at Hoover Lake.
We came out of the trees onto the shore of the lake, much like the explorers of old.
Before us, an expanse of pristine water, with a mirror smooth surface reflected the green of the trees that crowded the shore. Just then, a fish jumped and splashed back into the water causing a ripple in the smooth surface. To the right, mountains rose above the trees.
Felix discovered a planked walkway around part of the lake. We followed that to the other side for another spectacular view.
After a rest we hit the trail again, and the climb back up to the logging road and the walk back down to the car.
I was very happy that I did not turn around at the 2 Kilometre mark, that I had pushed on and reached my goal.
Now I had a new worry. I am diabetic. All this extra exercise was probably dropping my blood sugar to dangerous levels and I didn’t have a single sweet thing with me. However, I didn’t feel any effects yet.
On we trudged up to the logging road, and wandered along sometimes in sunshine, some times in deep shade. I kept monitoring myself for signs of my blood sugar crashing but I felt fine. I began to look along the side of the road for some late season blackberries for something sweet just in case but we seemed to be above the tree line for blackberries.
The view coming back down was breathtaking. Whenever I turned to look back up, I wondered how I’d ever made it to the top. I’m sure reaching a dream must feel a little like that.
Back at the car and still no candy. Fortunately, I had a big breakfast, which saved me I think.
We all made it home safely and my blood sugar when I checked it was at 6.4, which annoyed me, cause I thought it, would be a lot lower. However just one hour later, it had dropped to 2.6 at which point I enjoyed one of the Halloween candies I’m usually not allowed.
The hike taught me a lot about goals and goal setting. Here they are.
1. The path gets tougher the closer you get to your goals. That’s when you need to hold the course. You may not be able to see your goal but it is very close by.
2. Once you set your goal, let nothing hinder your progress toward the goal, not even you.
3. You are the biggest obstacle in attaining your dream
4. Beware of people and things that tempt you to take a detour from your goal.
5. Prepare for the journey. Be aware of the things you need along the way. Good support and a guide willing to help you and companions that urge you on.
6. Become a student of goal setting. Read and learn all you can. The lessons will see you through the rough spots.
7. Victory is sweet, celebrate you achievements, even the small ones. Each victory is another step to your dream.
Happy hiking and dream building,
Nick Grimshawe
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