Why I Dream About the Uphills

I remember a time in my life when I viewed the uphill only as the headache that separated me from the next downhill. I have memories of panting and fantasizing about the top of the climb as I slowly ground my way up the never-ending slope. That was usually followed by mistaking the current switchback and convincing myself it was the last one, only to find out there were still a few more remaining. I imagine many others can relate to these feelings. However, now, the experience of going uphill—whether running, skiing, biking, or hiking—is very different. Now, I'm embarrassed to admit that I feel at peace on the uphills, as if it is somewhere I belong. In fact, it has become the part of the activity that I enjoy the most.

A long uphill gives me the time and space to fall into a meditative trance. The physical challenge of the climb allows the rest of my mind to go quiet and unpack different layers of thoughts and feelings that are normally not accessible. In a sense, a long climb acts as my therapist, providing a safe space and the opportunity to unpack the noise of everyday life.

Then, reaching the top of the climb has its own upsides. As I look out over the view, taking it all in, I am reminded that I can accomplish hard and challenging things in life. The more challenging the climb, the stronger this feeling becomes. It reminds me that if you just get started with a challenging task and take it one step or pedal stroke at a time, anything is possible.

. For me to enjoy the descents after the climb, it requires pushing my skill limits to some degree. In actuality, I feel that the level of enjoyment from a downhill is directly proportional to how much I risk and push my luck. Even if I survive a descent that is at the limit of my skill level and get rewarded with that sweet adrenaline rush, upon reflecting on the experience, I am often left feeling like I got away with making some bad decisions. Ultimately, I feel that level of risk is not sustainable for me, and sooner or later, it would lead to an injury. In my mind, this leads to one of my favorite things about the uphill, the fact that I can enjoy it with much less stress then the downhills.

As much as I'm advocating for people to rethink their relationship with the uphill portions of their activity, there are some pitfalls that can be negative. Firstly, although I truly believe that anyone can enjoy exercising outdoors, it may also be true that to fully appreciate the best aspects of uphills, one may require a base level of fitness. This means that it is not the most inclusive of activities, and it can be a hard sell to the uninitiated. Likewise, there are many people who are overly competitive and toxic when it comes to uphills. This makes others think that they have to be high-level athletes who can crush the uphills to enjoy them. Luckily, this is not the case.

Sometimes I think that I only enjoy the uphills because I am trying to prove myself to the world. Maybe it’s simpler than that; maybe it’s because I am searching for the accolades that come with being able to do things others see as challenging. Either way, the uphills are now what I dream about. It may not be everyone’s thing, but being an uphill person resonates with my personality, and it may with yours too.