Today I walked/jogged a mind blowing 28 mile day. Half during the day and half during the full moon to make it to a del taco. We saw some pretty amazing things on the 28 mile hike but I really want to focus on how it feels to walk that far. At first you feel strong, you can power up hills and handle loose rock so you can look up and see everything. After a while your legs start to burn on the hills no matter how long your rest is. You're still able to look up, but more focus is spent on where you step. After 20 miles or so I start to take smaller steps. I keep the same pace but I don't raise my feet off the ground. This causes me to kick more rocks and my knees start to give. After pushing 28 miles with a fully loaded pack most of my attention is focused to the next five feet in front of me so I don't trip. Post hike I eat, eat, and eat. I had 5 half pound burritos, an Apple Danish, and two beers once I made it into town. I slept like a rock, even the trains on the bridge above where I was sleeping didn't wake me. After sleeping for seven hours I had three Apple pies, two egg mcmuffins, and a orange juice before passing out again. So far me and my fellow hikers have lost an average of 3-5 pounds.
Wow, Impressive Calvin!!! What a day!!! I try to imagine what it would be like, out there.... I don't think I can do it justice! You are amazing!!!! - Heather :)
ReplyDeleteI think the furthest I ever hiked in 1 day was 22km with about 17kg on my back in the Amatola mountains in South Africa. It was the 3rd day of a 6 day 106km hike, and I can relate to how you described this day. Unfortunately I did not get a good nights sleep on any of the six days, as my body would be tired, but my mind just wouldn't go to sleep for more than a few hours. Also, we were out in the boonies the whole time so we could only eat what we carried in our packs.
ReplyDeleteIt was one of those defining events in my life that made me realize that I was stronger than I thought, and that I could do more than I thought. There will be so many things you learn on this adventure, things that you may not realise or understand until a few years have passed even.
Just be really wise and listen carefully to your gut feelings. If you heed your gut it will be a great experience, if you don't, there may be some unnecessary regrets. People aren't always what they seem to be, and circumstances are sometimes deceiving too. I found a book you might enjoy called Deep Survival Who Lives Who Dies and why by Laurence Gonzales. I have found what I read of it very interesting.
Keep on trucking Sir Calvin. Blessings