At 60 years I climbed 1260 steep steps--I can do anything ! How I challenged myself!

Place : Tiger cave Temple, Krabi, Thailand

Date : 9 Aug 2017

What is the challenge ?

At the top of the mountain there is a large golden Buddha statue and to see the beautiful panoramic view of Krabi , one need to climb 1,260 steps leading to the summit. Some of the stair risers are more than a foot high. The top of the stairs is 278 meters elevation.

While on sight seeing, i landed up at this place and driver told that we may not be able to climb to the top , seeing my age (60 years). He told us to take some photos a the foot of the hill. With curiosity, I climbed 100 steps to take some photos. Then saw some kids and young men and women coming down as well as climbing.

What challenged me?

I am lazy and do not exercise daily. Some physical work as routine seems to be keeping me OK. I have never climbed such steep steps in the last 5-6 years. I challenged my self and told myself that I can do it.

200 steps - it was ok

300 steps - was panting and started breathing heavy..

400 steps - had to sit down every 30-40 steps

500 steps - Exhausted and sat down. Now I can neither go back or climb. After taking some rest, took courage to start climbing again.

Negative results can push your spirits up !

Every step after 7 steps, it was becoming tougher. Then I started interacting with the fellow tourists - Germans, Americans and Indians ( 4 youngsters from Hyderabad). We started joking about various things and how each one is panting. And this helped us to reach the 1260 steps.

And once you reach the top, it is stunning. We forget all the pain.

How One can come over challenges?

1. Challenge yourself first to take it up yourself
2. Encourage yourself
3. Don't give up
4. Find like minded people facing similar challenges and interact with them
5. Use jokes to lighten the pressure, which lets you laugh it ( pain) off and move ahead.

Best part is, if some one can do, you can do. If you can do, any one can do! So you need to challenge yourself...no need to challenge any one.

PS: It is not a great achievement. Thousands of tourists climb everyday! Not a big thing. But, for me , it is ! Basically I am happy that I challenged my self and won :-)