Sort of Training
In January, the departure date started to feel fast- approaching. We figured it would be smart to do some training. The mountain ranges up north are more rigorous in elevation change than those in the south, so it's harder to just let the trail whip you into shape as a Southbound hiker. There's a higher chance that the trail will just whip you and we didn't want to be totally miserable the first few weeks.
I created an elaborate training schedule, modified from a marathon training schedule, that emphasized walking with and without a pack as well as cross-training:
I think it lasted four or five weeks. It was just ill-thought in terms of trudging around Houston. I did have a number of really fabulous walks with friends including Laurie, Mychel, Brian, Daniel, Sara, Sophie, and Caitlin. James was my main walking buddy and was in it for a couple of blazing hot nine-milers with me. Brian and I made a whole day of 12 miles by incorporating meditation in the park, lunch at Guadalupana, and checking out the Byzantine Fresco Chapel, which we never knew was in the neighborhood- never would have known if we hadn't walked it! I also walked on my boss's treadmill one rainy afternoon- just getting it in!
I did learn a bit about the mental game while I lumbered around Houston. It was easier to walk when I had a destination- like the bathroom. Walking in circles just to put the miles down was booorrring. People say the trail can certainly be boring, but at least we'll be walking to a stated campsite or town or something. I read about a lady training for a trail in New Zealand and her goal was just to do some walking every day without worrying about how far. She walked to work a few days a week and walked to the store and just got her feet used to being pounded on every day. That makes more sense to me now. I mostly walked the Eleanor Tinsely Park Trail, Hermann Park with Rice University loop, Memorial Park, and the neighborhood of Montrose.
Of course, Seth trained in Atlanta while I trained in Houston. Seth had a bit more nature to play with for training hikes. He frequented Sweetwater Creek State Park, Kennesaw Mountain Trail, Atlanta Beltline, and the mountains in north Georgia.
So, we did do some training, but we're definitely not in our best physical condition. The past three weeks I have been having a case of nerves about the trip, just in terms of fearing misery, and Seth encouraged a hike to at least get some initial soreness out and maybe give me a bit of confidence.
This was actually the first training hike Seth and I had done together. With our food bags prepared, we loaded up heavy packs to acclimate ourselves to the full weight. We got to Sweetwater Creak State Park early on Memorial Day and determined to hike 10 miles. Getting to hike in woods that felt familiar, like the woods of Georgia do, felt uplifting. I hadn't hiked with my pack for about a month, but I felt accustomed to it and comfortable with the heavier weight. Most heartening was finally hiking with Seth! We shared a lot of laughter talking, singing songs, and huffing it up hard sections. Seth also debuted an entertaining impression of Edward Scissorhands using his trekking poles.
This hike helped to shift my mindset from the parts of the trail I am fearing to the parts of the trail I am anticipating with excitement. For example, I have had trepidation about the 100 Mile Wilderness, which is the most wild part of the trail, that comprises the first 10 days of our hike. Instead, I am thinking about our first day, hiking up Mount Katahdin. It is known to be a very strenuous hike, but I'm looking forward to using some rock climbing skills to climb over rocks and getting to hike with a lighter pack that day. I'm also focusing on being with Seth in this setting and how connected, motivating, and rewarding it is to accomplish these kinds of goals with him. I get the enjoyment of seeing him work hard and succeed and can somehow feel my own success more fully as it's reflected in my pride for him.
So this hike with Seth served its purpose- it invigorated my desire to do the trail and reassured me that it was something that I can do. It's frankly a relief. All the recent transitions have impacted my morale, but now I feel back on the horse and ready to ride!
