Believe to Achieve

5 Pm run.  Mainly slow jog to simulate running uphill tired at end of day (rim time rim to rim next Monday ) ran by myself.  Stop watch. Af canyon to Timp cave trail.  25:46. (10:18 avg) See nice and slow.  Then walked caves but after  four minutes I Decided to jog  a minute and walk a minute and I did this to 16 minutes.   I ran into rangers walking down at 546 pm.   They said trail was closed. I joking half serious said would it be ok for me to go rest of way.  He said no.  Too far.  I could see it on the ledge.  It was steep.  Probs 7 more minutes.  So I said ok I will just start to jog slowly down.  Nope he said.  And then it got awkward. As he watched me and even though I was power walking downhill he sternly yelled at me to walk.  It happened several times and then I yelled I am walking. And I then asked are you having some sort of power struggle here with me?   I continued on.  Now flabbergasted at what just transpired.  I was quite enjoying myself up to that point.  And all of the sudden drama.  I had told them I am a slow walker and I wasn't going to sprint.  It's just uncomfortable to walk down a steep trail without lifting knees.  Anyway I continued my walk and actually was 22 seconds faster going up than down. Lol.  See I am a slow walker.    16:08 up.   16:30 down.   Shocker.    I was greeted by a ranger on the way down.  I guess he radioed to her. She was polite.  And I was on the defensive.  She just said can I just tell you something.  And said this is a Walking trail only.   And if I want to run go to pine hollow. They are scarred from the deaths in the last few years.  One she said left trail on purpose. One not paying attention. And I don't  remember last.   We left on good terms.  I just felt a little violated with the old  ranger.  Very militant in voice.  Over bearing. But I get it.   Maybe I would have croaked.  Idk.  My friends ran up in the dark last week.   And I hadn't done this trail in years.  Now I feel scarred.   8:03 avg down to mouth.   (20:09).