This past Saturday saw me hiking to Hollywell with a group of young people and their friends. The theme was 'Go Haad Inna the Race Nuh Watch Nuh Face'. It's an annual event that the fit, unfit and totally clueless normally look forward to. The hike got off to a late start this year with the group being held up by the buses? Or were we waiting for others to turn up? No one really knows. The time was however spent wisely, in devotion and with people catching up, chit chatting, being introduced to new faces or in my case introducing themselves to new faces. I must admit though that I was a bit frustrated as I was really looking forward to what would be my first time 'hiking' it to Hollywell...not hitch hiking parts of the way or being driven all the way up, but really hiking. I believe we eventually left at around 8:30 or 8:45? that morning.
Red Light District
We had to drive for about 30minutes to get to Red Light. Here we had to stop again. I didn't mind the pause this time around because we were now much closer to our destination. Those of us who sat on the outside benches close by, while waiting, got a true taste of what was to come. The benches were icy cold, like sitting on an ice-tray. We knew we couldn't stay there. We would have to keep moving. After a few instructions and a protective word of Prayer we were off again. This time on our ten-toed turbos; some highly fueled and powered, others barely sputtering. Though I was looking forward to the hike I really did not have a plan, all I knew was that I wanted to...needed to make it to the top. Before I knew it I had drifted to the front which would be my induction into a whole other world...
The Winners’ Circle
Every year on the hike there are two different sets of people; there are those who just come for the friendly/family stroll where they take in nature and maybe make a new friend or two and then there are those who come with a strategy – a plan, to win the coveted first ‘prize’ at all costs. When I caught up with these guys I realized that they had a plan. The plan was simply to stay in front at all costs and to avoid all the stragglers who would drain them of their energy food before they got to the top. Once they realized that I could keep pace and that I was not a straggler, I was welcomed into this circle of those who were in it to win it. At first, much time was spent discussing the previous years and who had copped first place and made top ten. I could feel that each man (er woman) was secretly assessing the other, calculating in their minds who would claim the prize this year. Never the less, we continued talking until the tension lifted and we began singing songs fit only for winners. On occasion we would start jogging when we felt that the gap was narrowing between ourselves and ‘the others’. We did slow down on occasion to take group photos and share the communal, energy boosting fruit loops. We were even kind enough to leave some behind for 'the others'. All was going well in the circle until we were faced with a crisis. This is how it happened the first time....
The Cheaters
We were walking merrily along when we noticed a mini bus pull over next to us. Out of the bus popped some of ‘the others’ who I will simply call ‘the cheaters’. When we got over the initial shock and finally registered what was happening we began to run; each man (er woman) with their bag in hand. When the cheaters recognized that they were still no match for us that’s when they sank to the lowest of lows...divide and conquer! “Unu gwaan run wid her, she soon pop dung pon unu roun di corner!”, was what spewed out. Did that stop us? No way! The bond was already solidified. We continued running, keeping pace. However the crisis was far from over. This is how it happened the second time...
Ambush
When we were almost within 2miles of our destination, when the smell of the prize was becoming more potent, the winners circle was completely discombobulated! The King of 'the cheaters' and his side-kick had caught up with us. They had taken every shortcut known to man and there we were faced with a dilemma. In a flurry, the running started again, along with my ankle pain. Our circle then split into a triangle (or maybe a trapezium?) with one group way ahead, one group close behind, some spaced out in the middle and another set much further behind. In fact we were in pairs or solo after a while. It was each man (er woman) for themselves. While I conceded that I had lost the 1st prize, I was still in the race, my own race as the first female to get to Hollywell. I was still in it to win it.
Hollywell in Sight: Nuh Watch Nuh Face
When Hollywell was finally in sight I was thrilled! I was going to make it and claim my title. Just when there was peace and safety, disaster struck. I was suddenly hearing some giggling coming from not too far behind me. I looked back and realized my intuition was right, it was the sound of defeat; another female coming to take my prize, my title! The last thing I remember before I took off on a mad dash to the gates of Hollywell was an image of a male and female pair jogging up the hill and the bewildered face of my walking partner as I deserted him and as he ate my dust. Needless to say, I came in 7th overall and claimed the title of ‘First Female to Hollywell: 2010’.
The End and the Beginning
My experience was just one of many experiences at Hollywell 2010. From near death experiences to so-called heroic efforts to real heroic efforts to new bonds/friendships formed; you never quite know what to expect from Hollywell. Thank God no one was seriously hurt! You can only ever expect to have a fun, challenging and uplifting time at Hollywell. I have been there three (3) times now and each time has been significantly different from the next. The first time I went to Hollywell I could barely even make it ¼ mile. Now who would have thought that I would make it up in record time? After the trip I even went jogging for 2 ½ miles the following evening and then to the gym the evening after that. This trip has shown me a little something more about myself. I can go hard...On the hill, off the hill and for Christ in this life! We all can.
Pressing on Toward the Goal
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3: 12-14
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