Preparedness

Next weekend, Ben will hike the mountain, Pikes Peak, in Colorado with two friends.  He’s slowly been gathering much needed items for his trip, including new top-of-the-line hiking boots.  The boots have gotten him pretty excited. 

About two weeks ago, Ben mentioned that he was beginning to feel anxious about climbing a mountain, especially since he had not done any physical activity to prepare for it.  He also had not yet broken in his new boots.  He then started to panic about possible blisters and not being shape.  He decided that he must practice for his journey IMMEDIATELY.

So, I slipped on flip-flops and he laced up his new boots.  We walked straight to Riverside Park and began a 20-block “hike” along the Hudson River.  I walked on the paved path and Ben marched his way through a well-manicured park. 

He stomped across asphalt.  He trudged though grass. Midway through our “hike”, Ben climbed and jumped off a rock.  He proudly stood up, stretched out his arms, and asked, “What do you think?”

“I think,” I said, “you are definitely ready for a mountain.”