Take A Hike

It’s always been amusing to me that people think hiking is boring. OK, so I’m not running, cycling or driving anything, but if you think that hiking is dull for those reasons alone then you need your head examined. I’ve even had people tell me that it’s not a sport because you don’t do any of those things – so that rules golf out too, unless you drive a golf buggy as part of your round, and somehow I don’t think that’s the point. No, hiking is not boring, and what’s more it’s pretty physically exacting, so in my view it’s every bit as much a sport as football or rugby. If other people don’t see it that way I am not going to lose any sleep, that’s for sure.

If that sounds defensive then it’s probably because I’ve had more than my fair share of two things. Firstly, people not getting the point when it comes to hiking. It’s not as fast paced as other sports, fine. Secondly, I’ve been in contests that have left me sapped, bleeding and still somewhat exhilarated. I’ve notched up a few wins and one or two frustrating second places. So I have given quite a bit of my time to it – it’s something I enjoy and something I’m good at. You need to be quite committed to get the best out of it though, especially because if you pick and choose when you race and when you train, you’ll know it the day after you actually take part in a proper contest.

Hiking is one of those things – as people often say about anything that works your body properly, it makes you feel aches in places you didn’t know you had places. Last month I took part in a 10km hike that went over just about every kind of terrain, up steep inclines (and back down), through all sorts of tricky nooks and crannies. I was picking things out of my hair, my socks and other places that left me wondering how they had got there, what they were and whether I was actually seeing what I thought I was. Oh, and I won. My technique is basically just to keep going forward. When you come up against something problematic, find the quickest way around it and back to the forward push.

Anyway, this win came despite one of the most bizarre incidents that has happened since I took up hiking. I had completed a steep climb and was on my way to the descent when I stepped on a loose rock and literally went head over heels down a slope. I guess it was quicker than picking my way through, but it did mean I got a big cut down my right arm. Luckily my rucksack stayed on as I fell, although it didn’t feel too lucky smacking against the small of my back. I was able to bring out my liquid pack and a roll of bandages, clean out the wound (and take a big gulp for my troubles) and bandage myself up, and then use my little short cut to get to the finish before anyone else.