Nearly Killed by "The Camel's Back"

I have read many posts from my SIL's blog about how she wakes early in the morn and hikes Camelback up in Scottsdale. I have to admit, I have been quite jealous of the whole idea of having some time to myself and doing something that I love to do...HIke. I wasn't sure about this hike, though. I had heard that it was quite difficult and I am not in the best shape of my life. Infact...minus the times I was pregnant...it's fair to say I am in the just about the worse shape of my 32 years of life. But, when the invitation came, you better believe I was jumping on it. Saturday morning came early...5am early and I was quite excited but also quite nervous. I wanted badly to make it to the top...but was scared..."what if I just can't get this old, soft body up that hill?" Allison and I made it to the bottom of the mtn by about 6am and we were off. I was awe struck on the homes that are being built at the base of the mtn. I mean you can NOT imagine these homes..well, maybe you can if you've watched "Cribs" on mtv or some superhero mansion show on tv. Some were beautiful and some were just ridiculous!
To cut out all my huffing and puffing parts and stops up the hill out of this story, I will cut to the point.
I MADE IT!
The view was amazing, unbelievable, crazy huge and breath taking (literally). The wind was blowing and it was kind of chilly. Allison pointed a few landmarks out for me and allowed me to rest my weary legs and lungs. Can I just say something about this "Allison lady" she is a machine! I was so glad to of gone with her my first time..she was honestly my anchor up the hill. I just needed to stay in a place or a pace where I could see her...which was not that often. I am sure I slowed her down quite a bit..but dang it! It was fun. I read on her blog that this last Saturday was like her 30th time up the mtn. That's what I mean...Machine!
Once I took a few pics and allowed my legs a rest...Allison starts running down the hill. Well, the parts that you're not on your bum sliding down the steep slope. She was jumping off rocks and running down the trail. Well, we finally made it back to the car in one piece and I was loving life. IT was such a cool feeling to of accomplished something like that and had it done before 730 am. I am so glad I had that chance and hopefully, knowing how much fun it was, can get my butt up there again. If you get a chance...go enjoy what the camel has to offer.
Thanks Allison for making my day tired and happy!