Leg is feeling MUCH better. It’s a medical miracle. Yesterday, I experienced pain on every step, had a noticeable limp, was averaging 1-1.5 miles/hr, and was completely distraught - thinking I had torn my calf which would pull me off the trail
I woke up this morning and noticed I didn’t have that knot on my calf I had felt the past couple days. I didn’t want to put any weight on that leg when I went to get out of the tent. I slowly tried it. IT WAS OK. Sore to the touch for sure - but nothing like I felt yesterday.
I’ve been walking all day with pain being a nonissue, no limp, averaging 2-2.5 miles/hr, and I feel very optimistic for the days and miles ahead. I can’t believe it!!!
I am so very THANKFUL!
Per Tom Hanks in Castaway ——. “I gotta keep breathing - because tomorrow, the sun WILL rise. Who knows what the tide could bring in”
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Day #46 - AT Hike
Monday, April 27 - Day #46 - AT Hike
Miles Hiked Today - 18.9
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 578.5/2,193 (26.38%)
Tent sue (650.5) to War Spur Shelter (669.4) - tent at War Spur Shelter
Total ascent - 3,448’
Total descent - 4,414’
Total States Completed - 1/14
**Rain Day
Coming to you live from my tent at the War Spur Shelter- Mile# 669.4 on the AT. I’m always 90.9 miles less then the current marker due to the Smokey’s Bypass. I’m nearing the 600 mile marker myself.
Well - I provided a little bit of an update mid-day because I anticipated that I would not have cell signal at this location (because I’m in a valley). I was correct - no coverage (I’ll post tomorrow on mountaintop)
I’m still really stunned how my leg did a complete turnaround today. I’m so very thankful! It’s amazing how days can be so different.
Today started freezing cold with rain - but the weather improved every hour of the day. I hiked a bit with Chick Peas and her daughter Amber. They’re staying at the same shelter as me as well. Last night - it was pouring rain and probably 35 degrees up on the mountaintop (3,000’+) when I arrived into camp. I chose to just get in my tent with no dinner. Today - I arrived at camp to sunshine and probably 55 degrees. I ate dinner with Chick Peas and Amber — it was really great. They actually have a pretty similar goal as mine - complete in mid August. Only problem - they’ve already done the Smokey’s - so at some point - I’ll lose touch with them.
Really interesting people - Amber is 15 years old and she is hiking with her mom (Chick Peas). They have plans to do Everest Base Camp next year - so we talked about that quite a bit. They were asking me about high altitude spots to train - they would like to check out Leadville, CO. I can’t get over how impressive this young girl is. Her mom lets her hang the bear bag, get water & filter it, help fix dinner — she is as prepared for this hike as I am (and I did alot of prep). They both are faster than me. I could only hang with them a little while on trail. I think Amber is giving her mom all she can handle with the speed.
Today was challenging to get the 18.9 miles completed - but I took my time and made sure to monitor how my legs were doing along the way. It was a good day overall
I also tried out my Superfeet inserts. Good returns here. The inserts give my heel a bit more cushion and have a harder shell so I can’t feel every rock/root. I’ve been skeptical of shoe inserts in the past. My general thought is - shoe manufacturers spend tons of time designing shoes for certain purposes. If you buy these shoes and then put in some kind of insert that effectively alters what the shoe was designed for —- shouldn’t you just be buying a different shoe? I honestly still feel this way. I believe the Altra Lone Peaks may not be the right shoe for me at the end of the day. I trained for 4 months with these and probably put nearly 350 miles on a pair before I started my hike. The 2 things I didn’t do in my training - I only ramped up to about 12-13 miles/day and the hills I climbed were nowhere near as steep as these hills. I really like the shoes for comfort. They feel great on my feet and I haven’t had blister issues. Since I’m mid-hike, it’s hard to just scrap these shoes for something completely different, therefore - I’m going to give these Superfeet inserts a good trial. I can already say for sure that they eliminate the sharp jabs from all the rocks/roots I come across everyday. Now - I just need to evaluate how that slight raise in the heel performs (more arch support).
Here’s to continued good health!! Honestly - everything really starts with being healthy. It’s something that is sometimes taken for granted - but is super critical to accomplish any of your goals or dreams.
Goodnight from Virginia!
Cool river pic
On the trail
Very rocky afternoon
One of many signs on trail
IMO your thoughts on shoes and inserts are right on. Have you considered switching up shoes, I mean like really switching it up?
ReplyDeleteYou've heard of 'train high, race low'. Maybe you've trained with zero drop, minimal cushion, and now that its event time you need to give your calves and feet a break with 4-5mm drop (let your calves shorten on those steep climbs) and some cushion for the bottoms of your feet.
You know where this is going right? - Hokas. Sonja loves hiking in hers, they're all she used for the JMT. I plan on giving them a try for UTMB (if it happens). The extra height would definitely be an adjustment, but I think it would help the immediate problem.
If you want to give it a go, just let me know where to send em.
Thanks AB! Really appreciate this. I’m going to see how the Superfeet come along - but switching to something like Hokas might be the next step.
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