RECAP - Day 31 - 2024 Appalachian Trail - Fastest Known Time Attempt 🏃♂️
⏰ Start time: 3:55am
📏 Distance: 37.1 miles
⏳ Time on trail: 16hrs 34mins
🚶♂️ Avg. speed: 2.2mph
⛰️ Elevation gain: 7,191 feet
⬇️ Elevation loss: 8,397 feet
Last night tested me in ways I didn't expect, but through it all, Stephen was by my side. Together, we braved violent thunderstorms and torrential rain ⛈️. Yet, oddly enough, I found a sense of peace amidst the chaos 🌿. This—this raw, unfiltered nature—is exactly what drew me to the Appalachian Trail in the first place: the extremes that challenge not just the body, but the spirit 🏞️.
Today, my body spoke louder than I wished—swelling around the back of both knees, tendinitis reminding me of its presence 😓. It slowed my pace to what felt like an almost humbling two-point-something miles per hour 🐢. But that's the truth of this journey—progress isn’t always linear.
Grateful, as always, for the crew: Ice Man and Gun Section 🧊🔫. They’ve been nothing short of extraordinary, always there, always supporting 🙌. It’s not just about the miles; it’s about the people who walk beside you.
Today, I ran out of calories and found myself exhausted in a way I never have before 🍫😴. Moving forward on empty, both physically and mentally, was a strange, surreal experience 🌀. But in that fatigue, I learned something new about myself. A new level of resilience, perhaps? 💪
One thing I admire about Ice Man is his calmness—it’s contagious, bringing a sense of stillness to the storm 🌪️. And then there’s Gun Section—her energy is electric ⚡, sparking that same fire in me 🔥. They complement each other in such an incredible way, a perfect balance of contrast ⚖️.
When I return to the Appalachian Trail this year, I’ll carry the lessons from my past mistakes 📚. I won’t just aim to beat my time; I’ll strive to improve, to learn, and to honor this journey in every way 🙏. It’s not just my name I’m carrying, but the spirit of the crew as well 👥. This is a team effort, one that transcends individual achievement 🏅.
Now, I’m taking on coaching clients—because the journey doesn’t end here 🌟. 🚶♂️🌲
