Some like it hot: Hiking Ha Ling

After being sick during the entire May long weekend, I was determined to get out of Red Deer. I went absolute bonkers when I was sick. All I did was stare at my ceiling or the four walls in my bedroom. Too sick and sore to move.

But all is right in my world today. The mountains were calling. I couldn’t leave Red Deer until after I bought my ticket to see Stevie Wonder. He’s playing in Calgary in July. I lovveeeee Stevie Wonder. I lucked out and got a ticket on the floor. I am crossing my fingers that nobody tall stands in front of me!

 

Because I left the city late, I decided to just hike Ha Ling. I did this peak last year after the Grizzly Ultra. I remember my legs were sore so I wanted to see how it would go with freshish legs. As well I wanted to test my sore hip. I am feeling much better. The phyiso is definitely doing the trick!

 

This is what it looks like when you decide to do a hike at 1 p.m. All the people were on Ha Ling. Hiking 101 – Start early to beat the crowds and the blazing mid-day sun.

What a gorgeous day for a hike. So glad I applied and re-applied my 60 SPF sunscreen. I tan way too easily. Loved breathing in the mountain air.

 

The first bit was the toughest. That’s my happy mountain face (above). Once I found my groove I stopped huffing and puffing. Before too long I was passing all the chubby 20-somethings and beer drinkers. I kid you not. There were a few guys drinking Bud on the climb.

 

I made it to the very top and back down in 2:10. I did stop at the top for about 10 minutes to catch my breath and to prepare for the run down. The descent was pretty smooth. I didn’t trip once. In less than a month, I will participate in the Ha Ling Challenge on June 20. In a nutshell, runners/hikers will go up and down as many times as possible in 12 hours. I will be happy with three times!

So my legs felt fine with this short hike. I will probably feel something more in the next few days. But I wasn’t limping which is a good sign! Recovery is awesome.