2nd January was a fine and good day in Nara for climbing a mountain.
In the morning, my wife and I went to Nijyo-san mountain for taking a walk.
I saw a thermometer beside the road to the mountain from our automobile indicated only 2 degrees.
It was cold outside.
We parked our car at Furusato Park and started walking to the entrance of the mountain.
As I walked up quickly on the steep slope to the top of the mountain, she complained that she would be pressed to go hurry up and become tired soon.
Then I tried to climb slowly by pacing with her speed.
At the top of the mountain, a thermometer indicated 10 degrees due to the sunshine.
There were several people including old men and women, families and doggie around the sundial to enjoy walking and seeing a beautiful sight from the mountain.
We were cautious for sudden change of climate in the mountain, then we went down to the foot of the mountain soon after taking some pictures.
I chose the first descending road for her because she had known only one way to return.
However, it was wet and a little bit slippery and she handled her poles very carefully.
After passing the slippery road, I found a woodland path of descending to the foot of the mountain, and I inquired her if I could run.
She said yes and I started running fast.
The first trail running in 2021!!
Amazingly I looked back and found that she was also running after me.
She told me afterwards that sha had a plan to run on that day even before deciding to go to the mountain.
I stopped sometimes to wait her not to lose sight of me.
When I was waiting for her at the turning point to the Furusato Park, I told her “Nice Running!”
She complained that I started running at the same time she was about to catch me up.
Anyhow we returned the Furusato Park and took our car to go for lunch.
It was 11 am.
Good morning run was over.
I wish COVID-19 would go away soon and trail runners would enjoy running in the mountain together with friends in 2021.