Running with horses: Week summary (12-18 March)

Monday

Am - Mt Tibrogargan trail run (8.5km) ~ 440m elevation. 1:21
Pm - Mt Beerwah (Failed expedition)

Tuesday

Am - 11.8 km road run. ~ 135m. 1:02

Wednesday

Pm - 9.3km road run ~ 122m. 0:45

Thursday

Am - 7.8km road run. ~ 114m. 0:39

Friday

Am - 11.8km road run. ~ 135m. 0:58

Saturday

Am - 7.8km road run. ~114m. 0:40

Total distance: 57km
Total elevation gained: 1060m
Total time: 5 hrs 25 mins
Average speed: 5.7 min/km

This week i returned to road running, thanks to the wet and cold weather we have been experiencing throughout the week. When it's wet, it's not safe to run on trails (unless you enjoy stepping on mushy soils and having muds all over the body) or climb mountains.

On Monday i had a close call during my Mt Beerwah hike. The thing is, Mt Beerwah is currently closed to the public due to safety issues and rock falls which could happen at any time. It's a mountain that i have always wanted to explore but had reservation in doing so. About a month ago i met a couple, Geza and Helen from Hungary during my Mt Tibrogargan hike. They are both in their late fifties, and they invited me to climb Mt Beerwah with them. Given their 20 years of experience in the glasshouse mountains, i agreed without hesitation. Climbing Mt Beerwah with them was an enjoyable experience, and it seemed relatively simple and safe. (now looking back, i think this is owing to Geza's ability to navigate a safe route for us amidst all the steep slopes and rugged edges).

Driven by my curiosity to attempt to hike Mt Beerwah on my own, I set off on Monday at around 4.30pm, hoping to finish the entire hike by 6.30pm, when it gets really dark. When i reached the first steep surface, my adrenalin and excitement got me through the climb fairly easily. However, as i went further, it started becoming challenging. I soon realised that i was not making much progress due to lack of rock-climbing skills and lack of understanding of the area. Besides it had rained the night before and in the morning. So there are pockets of water and wet & slippery rocks everywhere. I reached a dead point where I could not find a safe way to go up and there was no way i could head down too. At that very moment, my confidence took a significant dip and my heart started racing out of fear. My legs started shaking too each time i rested it on a foothold. I was trapped.

At that time, a few things ran through my mind. 'Why did i choose to come here on my own?'. 'Why am i so dumb?', 'I need to return in one piece to marry Rachel'. Filled with frustration and fear, there was only one thing i knew i could do. Pray. 'God, help me!' I know that no matter what, I had to take risk by either moving up or moving down, otherwise i would get stuck there for the rest of the day. Keep in mind that i didn't have much daylight left. I asked God for courage to do what i was afraid to do at that time, wisdom to choose the correct route, skills to able to move my way out of danger, and protection to allow me to get out of the mountain safely.

To cut the long story short, i eventually got out of the danger spot by moving up, and subsequently found another way to head down and out of the mountain. It was a close call indeed. Bear Grylls said in his book - 'The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible - and achieve it, generation after generation'. Not sure if i would agree with it this time. :D Yes, the line between courage and folly is very thin. It takes wisdom to discern both.

Moral of the story is: Don't climb mountain when it's wet! Stay calm and think when in a similar situation like this. And most importantly, to pray. To always pray. Before, during, after any event, early in the morning, mid-day, before you sleep, before meals. There is no time that you can't pray. Praying places you in the right frame of mind (allows you to know that God is in control), restores the connection with God which may have been momentarily lost, gives you strength and courage to do what you are afraid to do. I pray because i am weak. I pray because i need to. I pray because i know God listens and cares.