Getting into the Groove- Three Weeks In

One of my personal goals on this hike was to push myself harder than I have previously, and it feels great. I’m by no means trying to set the FKT, others have come before me and hiked harder and faster than I ever could, but I am undeniably moving fast. Everyone I pass tells me so. Today marks mile 558 and day 24, for the numerically challenged that means I’m averaging slightly over 23 miles a day including rest days. Realistically I’ve lately been hiking 25-30 miles a day lately unless I’m traveling over snow, a significant obstacle. But the numbers don’t matter to me as much as the feeling I get from pushing myself hard every day. It’s a runner’s high like none other.

Daily Rhythm

I’ve had friends ask me what I do all day (walk, duh) so I figured a mock schedule might be of interest. This pattern pretty closely resembles my last week on trail.

4:30- Wake up, I usually beat my alarm but this is when movement begins

4:31- Remind Waffles that it was her idea to get up this early and deflate her sleeping pad to get her moving

5:00- Finish Packing up camp and start hiking early to beat the heat, first few miles are typically a slow saunter while I sip instant coffee out of my water bottle.

7:30- Stop for breakfast, typically three oatmeal packets and a Breakfast Essential mixed together.

8:00-12:30 – This is when I make most of my miles, I try to knock out at least 15-20 by now to make the heat of the afternoon more tolerable with a slower pace (it’s still too hot). Light snacking occurs throughout.

12:30 Snake Meal. Some call it lunch but I prefer to think of an anaconda franticly swallowing as many calories as quickly as possible. Defrosted Microwave Burritos, candy, chips, cookies, and protein bars are all staples.

13:00-15:00 – If the heat is obscene I’ll try to find a shady bush to hide in a few miles after snake meal, but typically I turn off the complaint section of my brain and power on. During this period I’ll typically listen to some music. Recently recalled my tramily member Spud’s hiking album recommendation of The Heist by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. It definitely holds up.

15:00-19:00 -Hopefully by now it’s a little cooler and I can pick up the pace to full speed once again. Crush miles.

19:30 -Find a flat spot to call home for the night, eat 2-3,000 calories

20:00 – Sleep hard

Injured or Sore?

The main problem I’ve run into has been pain in my Achilles Tendons, but I seem to be fairing better. About 400 miles ago I felt a sharp pain in my left Achilles and nearly collapsed. It quickly faded to a dull ache but became extremely painful when I flexed it. I Hobbled the next few miles to camp and began rigorous stretching. The next morning I told Waffles I would be moving slow and that I was worried about a possible injury, she told me not to stress about it and that she would go a nice easy pace and wait for me at breakfast to check in. I found her 15 miles later and her not-so-subtle hint to stop feeling sorry for myself and start moving was taken to heart.

Apparently I was supposed to endure what History’s greatest warrior could not. The pain lessened as time went on, but did somehow spread to both of my feet. I found this encouraging that it was not actually an event-oriented injury but rather some problem with my shoes. I removed my aftermarket insoles and began to find some relief. A new pair of shoes with their proper insoles, kinetic tape, and some truly heroic doses of Advil seem to have done the trick and my pain is nothing more than irritation at this point.

Fear-Mongers

The only other struggle thus far has been snow, but it’s truly not bad. It is much slower moving (20 mile day over San Jacinto and 24 over Baden-Powel) and requires constant mental effort to a rather exhausting level, but it’s also super fun. The snow has given me a mixture of excitement and anxiety for the fast-approaching Sierra, the section of trail everyone seems to talk about. Waffles and I have decided to make every conceivable effort to push through it. We won’t die in the process, but we also are determined to give it our best shot. Lately this has been a polarizing topic on trail, with many hikers who share our mindset and many more who have already decided to skip or flip. I’m a little surprised by this, and was more surprised to see just how many people took the road walk around Baden-Powell without even attempting snow travel (Hike Your Own Hike, but seriously?). In my opinion many of the hikers out here are WAY too scared and have taken to fear-mongering others to justify their own decisions to quit before they even get the chance to try. Theodore Roosevelt would have something to say about all the cold and timid souls I’ve met lately, but I politely nod and tell them I get it, but that I intend to at least try.

Looking Forward

Other than my Achilles and the constant talk of the Sierra, life is pretty great. I feel strong and in a rhythm. The trail is beautiful. The heat is manageable. I am having fun. I’ll probably write another one of these with more detail about my Serria plans from Kennedy Meadows in about a week on my first real zero, but until then I’ll be out here living, laughing, and loving. ✌🏻 

 

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