Today I hiked up to the fountain and police station on Bukit Bendera (Flagstaff Hill) in 57 minutes. That’s three minutes faster than the last time. I didn’t march uphill faster, but I jogged further. I didn’t amble; I strode quickly on the inclines. I just didn’t hike faster than the last time. But jogging on more sections, and farther on the obvious ones, made the difference. In April and May, whenever I reached the mostly-level portions of the road after climbing a steep grade, I wanted to rest my legs by just walking. It’s only natural. And last time, when I hiked purposefully, nonstop, up the steep portions, I certainly wanted to ‘rest’ by ambling when reaching some of the easy segments. But I jogged according to my legs’ ability.
Today I pushed myself to jog on all the level and somewhat-level portions of the route up Bukit Bendera. Though my legs only wanted to sit or cruise slowly after a 30% incline, I wanted to better my last time of one hour. The last time, I just wanted to go up nonstop, without a camera. I had no time in mind. I happened to look at my wristwatch when I left the gate and guard house at the foot of the hill. So I looked at my watch again near the 4.6 km marker, and I thought that I could probably reach the top within an hour if I hurried henceforth. I knew that near the top, between 4.8 and 5.2 km, is alot of nearly-level pavement on which I could jog if my legs permitted.
Today my goal from the start was to reach the top in less than an hour. I thought that if I jogged further wherever possible that I might shave off two minutes. Mission accomplished. 57 minutes. After the usual half-hour rest at the top, drinking water and gazing upon hazy George Town and Air Itam, I began the winding, steep 5.2 km descent which I loathe. My legs only wanted to rest. †
2 comments
Guess the legs aren’t aching so much anymore. Maybe exercise is the answer…or it has conditioned you so your muscles around the need are stronger and less apt to cause you misery. Either way, good conditioning. Going to be ready to enter 5K runs when you get back in the USA?
by Mom on June 26, 2009 at 6:27 am. #
Aside from mild muscle aches, my joints ache terribly, because I’ve used all the glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin and MSM that I’d brought from the Philippines. When I was taking those compounds, I wondered if they really did anything for my synovial fluid, cartilage or pain relief. Two physicians and a physician assistant had told me that they offer analgesic benefit in addition to the ‘joint health’ properties. They’d said that some arthritic people swear by glucosamine and chondroitin. Now I know why. I feel the absence of them. Ugh. But while I’m at sea level, I wonder if the altitude of Baguio City and Itogon had benefited me..
by Brian on June 26, 2009 at 4:29 pm. #