I've been trying to get to the Incline every other week beginning shortly after I moved to the Springs and today was one of those days.  I've been told it's a great torture training tool and I can't argue.  It demands more of an athlete than any other 0.88 miles I've ever encountered - from lung power, to quad strength, to the mental toughness that keeps you going step after step after step.  Most other terrain sounds like a walk in the park when you're about ⅔ of the way up those beastly stairs. 

The amazing thing about this trail is that no matter how many hill repeats you can manage or how many miles you put in each week, it's a humbling hike. Practice makes it easier, knowing there's a margarita waiting for you when you're done makes it almost inviting.

Ok, inviting is not the right word.  Barely bearable may be a better way to put it.

Lastly, The Incline is not one of those trails that you can go it alone and get lost in your own thoughts just to look at your watch and realize you've covered some serious distance.  It's more like a high school math class - you look at your watch every three seconds convinced that more time (and distance) has passed.  That said, thank you, thank you, thank you, Jody Derington, for plodding through this workout with me!