Appalachian Trail Update

For my friends and family that do not know... I am off the trail.

I rolled into Salisbury, Connecticut on the night of June 25th with extreme right foot pain. Admittedly, it was a pain I had been ignoring for a week, but I kept telling myself to suck it up! You are a thru hiker damn it! Pain is the nature of the game. No pain, no Maine - am I right?

The next day I told my hiking friend, Mouse, I thought I would go to the hospital just to check it out. I figured they would tell me I was crazy and I could gladly hop back on the trail the next day. Instead, after an MRI they told me I had multiple stress fractures and to go home. I was devastated and immediately started crying, which immediately made the doctor uncomfortable. I could tell he had no idea what the hike had meant to me and so many other thru hikers like me. I had just made it to mile 1499 and only had 690.2 miles to go! I think he just thought I was some dirty hippie instead of an athlete trying to hike over 2,000 miles.

A few of my trail shoes and my newest shoe! 

I got a ride back to the hostel from the sweet lady that owned it and made my going home plan. I hated seeing Mouse head back to the trail alone, and hated the fact that I was headed back to KY via train then plane.

Don't get me wrong, I love being home with my husband and my two pups, but there are things I love and miss about the trail. Here are just a few of those things:

The Community

Every person I met on the trail was amazing. You feel an instant connection with everyone you meet. It's crazy how people you barely know become your family in a matter of minutes. I never thought I would bond with a bunch of guys while singing Taylor Swift. But hey, it happens. You also meet hundreds of people off trail that are willing to help you, give you a ride, or cook you a meal. The trail renews your faith in mankind.

Confidence

I know this sounds cliche, but I felt confident for the first time in years. I was making all my own decisions, carried all my own gear, felt I could conquer any challenge, and never for a second worried about how I looked when hiking! This confidence wasn't there on day one, but it is something I feel all thru hikers gain each day they are on the trail.

Sleeping

After walking 20 miles, you sleep because you are tired. Now that I am home confined by a boot, I am never tired. I find myself back to my bad ways and staying up all night! I miss getting up with the sun and falling asleep at dark.

Even though I am off trail and most likely done for this year, I one hundred percent will finish the last 690 miles of the trail next year. It was my original goal to thru hike in one year. Instead, I get to hike it over two seasons, doubling the amount of wonderful people and memories I will take from the AT. Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way!

Appalachian Trail 2015

Just doing some light reading about the Appalachian Trail. Oh, I haven't told you? Yes, I am preparing for an AT thru hike this year. Going NOBO. I first learned that the AT existed in 2005, but did not give it much thought at first. However, after thinking about it non-stop over the last two to three years, I have decided to attempt a thru hike starting in March. Only one in four thru hikers complete the 2,185 mile trail. I will have my work cut out for me until then. Stay tuned for posts about AT prep and backpacking in the near future. Wish me luck! 

For more information about the trail go to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website.