Inspiration Point Night Hike – July 16, 2010

Began running up to Inspiration Point from the Tunnel Road trail head at 10:30pm tonight without a flashlight. It took me under 9 minutes to the bridge after which point it was soon too dark, steep, rocky, and dangerous to continue running. I crept my way up the rest of the trail and reached Inspiration Point under 42 minutes.

Earlier today I finally understood the significance of what a good friend had recently suggested. I had told him that my life’s work was to empower people. He suggested I inspire people. One cannot be empowered if not inspired.

At the top, I crouched and marveled at the view. I played with my echo and finally challenged myself to scream at the top of my lungs. Then I reflected until the Point had earned it’s name.

Inspiration need not come by demonstration. Inspiration can come by revelation itself. The form of revelation need not be an embodiment or show. It need not be much more than an idea or understanding. A story can be all the revelation one needs for inspiration.

I spent 35 minutes at the top and then began the equally terrifying journey back down. I quickly fell into a wildly naturalistic movement that had me back down to my car in 49 minutes, just 20% longer than my journey up which was almost half running. I stretched briefly, finished the clam of blackberries in my front seat, and headed down the mountain chugging the last liter of Day Shake wondering why I was so incredibly bad at driving. I pulled into my apartment complex at 1am and headed to the pool for breast stroke mini-laps and pool yoga.

What does this have to do with health?
Charging up a mountain, late at night, alone, without a light source, seems like an unlikely but obviously unhealthy decision. In this case, the hike was not about physical health, though I never for a moment stopped checking in with my body. This hike was mentally and emotionally freeing. This was a spontaneous personal challenge which I’ve overcome and now feel more confident for having done so. Perhaps the key to empowerment is little more than inspiration and confidence.