Have a friend hike to the top with you.  It is safer and more fun and you might even forget you are working so hard.

I have a mental issue with running.  I've sprinted for an hour in a soccer game because I'm focused on the ball, but you put me on a track and I think I am going to die before I hit 100 yards.

In high school we had to run a mile on the track every once in a while.  It was torture.  One time, I started running with a friend.  We got into an interesting conversation and forgot about running.  We actually finished our 4 laps so quickly, the coach didn't believe we had run our mile and we had to run an extra lap.  What was normal torture and seemingly undoable, became almost easy when I was distracted by something else.  It is amazing how that works.

I love your drive and attitude.  It will take you a long way (hopefully to the peak) 

 Yup. I will have 1-2 people going up with me. I definitely don't want to do that alone.