Let the Hill Be Your Friend
I was never an athletic girl, but I have surprised myself with all the “sporty” interests I pursued after 50.
In my fifties, I started to play golf.
Golfing girls will never ask me to join their group, but the fun girls---they like me to participate for the sheer value I bring in entertainment.
When I was fifty-two, I signed up for my first Couch to 5K.
Before the training, the only time I ran was when I was forced to run in elementary PE class.
I am not sure what possessed me, but there was something about turning fifty and trying everything available to me in life.
I believe that it is all about the outfit, so I made sure to look good to psych out the others in my group and make them think I might know something about the sport.
I bought the shoes with special inserts (as directed by the young sales associate) along with some cushioned socks at the cost of $15 a pair. I also purchased non-chafing shorts (not as advertised) and a super, deluxe sports bra that was guaranteed to hold all in place to ensure I wasn’t knocked out with all the movement.
The big day arrived, and I was ready.
The training sounded very doable for a beginner: walk-run-walk-run, and increase the time each week.
We progressed from running on a flat surface to the training module titled HILLS.
It didn’t occur to me that we would be expected to run up a hill.
I took a deep breath and listened for instructions from the drill sergeant trainer, who repeated, Let The Hill Be Your Friend.
What? That hill looked like a mountain to a beginner, and I saw nothing about it that was friendly.
I did as I was told and started running up the hill:
Repeating the mantra Let the hill be your friend, let the hill be your friend.
Look ahead, don’t look down
Use your arms
Run tall rather than hunching over
Okay, I did as directed and got to the top, but I never figured out the Let the Hill be Your Friend bit.
I actually participated in two more Couch to 5K groups, had the same training, and still didn’t quite get the hill mantra.
While I don’t feel the need to run unless something scary is chasing me, I do like to walk.
I enjoy walking in the mountains of NC and spend much time walking up hills.
I walked those hills for a few years repeating the mantra Let the Hill Be Your Friend before it made any sense.
As I reported earlier, I have never been a sporty girl, so I can’t say for sure what the phrase is supposed to mean, but I can share what it means to me.
The uphill climb represents:
Doing the hard work and then enjoying the gift of downhill
Committing myself fully to the challenge and knowing that I gave 100%
I like the reward system way of thinking—if I go up the hill, then I get a reward, the downhill
As I coach myself and others, I often use the phrase Let the Hill Be Your Friend.
The hill is a metaphor for the challenge and thinking of it as a friend.
When the challenge becomes friendly, nothing can stop us from getting to the result we desire.
Are you facing a challenge or a hill this week that you do not see as friendly?
Are you questioning how to get to the top of the problem so you can enjoy the other side?
I help women get to the top by taking one thought at a time.
If you want to explore what life coaching is all about, join me for a free 45 minutes session, and together, we will figure out how to Let Your Hill Be Your Friend.
Have a marvelous week filled with challenges and success, don’t let the hill scare you; it can become your friend.
Nancy Beard
