I arrive at my hostel sweating profusely from the humidity and the grueling climb in the forested trail. It was a hard climb, but oh so beautiful. Most of it was tree-lined. There was a welcoming fountain for weary feet at the hostel.

My heels had stayed quiet. I guess they benefited from the 3-day rest, but my thighs were screaming.  I notice that when I’m going uphill and it suddenly gets steeper, my eyes don’t perceive it, but the front of my thighs let me know — instantly.