Month: July 2017

This afternoon I received my Gossamer Gear Gorilla 40 backpack. It’s so light! I put it on without anything in it. I have to admit, I couldn’t wait. I’m such a geek.

The most I can say is I love pretty much everything about the design so far, well at least from a superficial level, since I haven’t exactly put any gear in it and walked around yet. The only concern I have is about the shoulder straps. This is an issue for me also with the Osprey Exos 58, which is my current bag. The Osprey shoulder straps have a tendency to dig into my underarms, literally slicing them open when I train. I don’t have that issue when on trail though, because unlike during training, my hands are on my trekking poles most of the time, lifting my arms up and away from my body. During training on concrete and a bridge, its not necessary for me to use trekking poles, yet having my underarms shredded can be annoying. I modified the pack for training however, covering the straps with a bandana. It’s not a perfect solution, but helps save my skin from decimation.

I’m not saying I predict the Gossamer Gear Gorilla 40 will dig into my underarm as well, cutting them open, but by just trying on the bag without anything in it, already I can feel the straps hitting the skin of my underarms in an awkward way. I guess the true test will be when I fill the bag and take it for a trial run, but I’m concerned this is going to be a repeat problem with the bags I buy. Maybe my shoulders are more narrow than most? Who knows? I’ll post an update once I’ve had an opportunity to try the bag during a true dry run. This may just be a matter of adjusting some buckles and the straps themselves.

I also finally finished the draft of my Fastest Known Time announcement tonight. Part of attempting a world record for a self supported hike on the Appalachian Trail is making official announcements, contacting the previous FKT world record holder, and other preparations. It’s not just a walk and I announce to the world I rock. The Fastest Known Time pro-board is where you post your intention and they are the organization that verifies your record once you have completed the attempt. They pretty much set the rules, guidelines and standards. I’m pretty anal retentive, and for some reason I gave myself a huge amount of pressure when writing this announcement, taking forever to complete the task. Plus, I borrowed a lot of the wording I used for my announcement from the previous FKT self supported record holder, Heather “Anish” Anderson. Borrowing makes me uneasy, but there was no way to explain in better words or my own words what the heck I was about to do. So, I borrowed. Don’t worry, I stated in the announcement itself I was repeating her words. Being that said though, I have the luxury of having an awesome editor at my disposal, Andrew Elias, who edits my writing for FtMyersMagazine.com. I sent him the copy of my announcement, Heather’s announcement, and the FKT website with the link to their rules for the game. Hopefully he will indulge me by agreeing to review my announcement before I run out of time and have to post it. I’m hoping to do so by August 1st. Yeah, I know. I’m cutting it close. Once he gives me some advice or edits me, it’s getting posted to the FKT pro-board and I’m official. Another hiker off to the races!!!

I let my bank know today that I would be traveling. One less phone call to make before I leave. Last year I forgot to let them know in advance and panicked. I had to call them from on trail, and my cell service was way less than desirable pretty much my entire hike. It took all day just to get to an area where I could get the call to connect. I did not want the worry or hassle this year and took care of it in advance thank God. I do love though how even with good reception it isn’t exactly easy to get your travel plans confirmed through the bank over the phone. I had to keep calling over and over, trying to get the automated service to recognize the state name Tennessee. It would run me through five minutes of verifications and steps, then each time I would say that particular state name it would tell me it didn’t recognize what I was saying and would hang up on me. Ugh. I finally callled and went straight to a rep, who then told me to do it online. Thanks buddy, but at least that’s one less thing to worry about. On to the rest of the preparations!

Well, this was an interesting morning. I got up late, meaning 6AM, and decided since I was running behind, and it would be a thousand degrees outside by the time I got to training, perhaps a hard workout in the garage with endless stairs might be the best way to go. So, I grabbed the gear and drove downtown. When I got out of my truck, and threw the bag on my back, I looked down at my passenger seat and there was a big old wet spot. Nice… Apparently, the gallon of water I had been using as a weight in my bag finally sprung a leak. For some reason I didn’t notice this back at the house. So, I had to unpack the backpack and repack on site. No biggy, just a bit soggy. After a bit of adjustment, I was off to beat it down on some stair action.

I ended up doing 10 reps up 6 flights of stairs in about 45 minutes. At the top of flight 6, each time, I would take 30 seconds and then head down. Once at the bottom, I would take 30 seconds to 1 minute to do some stretching, then head back up. I’d say overall it was a pretty decent workout, but I didn’t exactly kill it. I think it would be good to get back out again tonight. Of course, it was 84 degrees out, and I forgot to put a clean bandana on my pack. I’m so unprepared today. Sweat was pouring in my eyes the whole time. Yay. I have to start giving myself a dose of prep time before I leave the house to look over my essentials. Anyway, just another morning of training.

Yesterday I received the ground cover for my ZPacks Solplex tent. It feels like a tissue, “Ha!”, but it looks pretty durable. I feel like I’m buying astronaut gear these days. Efficient, overtly functional, durable and ridiculously expensive. Well, if you want to play with the big boys… I just ordered a few small items from REI. I got the Suunto clipper L-B NH compass, the Snow Peak titanium single 450 cup, and the Counter Assault bear bell. All of this REI purchase was covered under 2 gift cards I had laying around. (Thanks Big Jer!) That was helpful. I still have like $2 left on one. Future use. I’m still waiting on my Gossamer Gear Gorilla 40 backpack, but I got an alert from the company it’s in the process of being shipped. I should get it in the next day or two.

In the meantime, I did a little experimenting the other day by putting some Woolite into a Ziplock along with some of my stinky hiking socks and shook the hell out of it. Rinsed twice and hung out to dry. At first I was skeptical this would be a viable option for laundering on trail, but now I’m a believer. Once they dried they were just like they would have been if I had taken them from the machine. I do think I might need to use my camp towel to help wring out a bit of the water before hanging from my pack, but otherwise I think this could be a good way to help stay fresh. Of course I’m most likely going to switch out the Woolite for biodegradable liquid soap and use my Sea to Summit food bag instead of a Ziplock, but it works. Fresh socks, underwear and shirts for the trail! Woo-hoo!

Oh it’s a beautiful 80 degrees out this morning at 7AM here in Fort Myers. I got up a little extra early to insure that I would be walking by 4, but as usual, I found a few errands to do beforehand. Time is running out and there is still a vast amount of preparation to take care of. Plus, walk.

Got in a little garage time this morning, plus the bridge. Saw all the same characters running back and forth. Believe it or not, there is a small subculture of folk who exercise on this bridge every morning. The many faces are becoming quite familiar, and a few I’ve actually gotten the chance to speak with here and there. Some have asked if I’m training for something and what, due to the fact I’m pretty much the only person wandering back and forth across the bridge with a giant bag on my back. I try to give them the short version of my story and we eventually push on.

I have to say, I’m feeling pretty good these days. My body is back into the swing of things, but I definitely have to do more garage work, meaning the stairs. I’m great at this bridge and have the incline down without effort, and the ramp in the garage is pretty much a repeat of the bridge, but every time I do the stairs, now that’s a work out. So, clearly I need more. Perhaps tonight. It’s Thursday, and tonight is one of my early nights at work. So, the time is available.

I ordered my ground cover and new backpack just the other day. Hopefully, they get here in plenty of time for me to do another weigh in and train. I also have a few things that need to be last minute ordered from REI. I have two gift cards I need to use, plus a $20 bonus from the company themselves. So, I’m ordering a titanium mug, a new bear bell and compass. Little things. I know I said no cooking, but my friend Greg planted a seed in my head saying I may regret not bringing at least a mug, so I am. If weigh in allows, I will throw in my mini stove and canister. I also think I’m going to look into trying my rain poncho as a tarp just to see how that would work and if it doesn’t maybe bring the tarp from my hammock. And I keep wondering if I’ll need a fleece liner for at least the beginning. It’s 62 degrees at the moment in Millinocket, Maine, with a high of 71 and a low of 59. Plus, it’s raining, a lot, and looks like it’s going to keep it up all week. Yay! (Sarcasm.)

If you could see the list of items and errands I still need to acquire and accomplish, you’d tell me to give up now, there is no way, but things have a way of working themselves out. What’s important seems to always get done, and what isn’t, well it gets thrown to the wayside. Just under 3 weeks before I fly!

So, yeah. Tonight’s title says it all. I decided to go ahead and purchase the ground cover for my ZPacks Solplex tent for an additional $89.75. Really, I’m not sure if it’s necessary, nor am I sure I will be brining it once I do my next weigh in, but last year was a wet one. It really sucks trying to put a soggy tent back in your backpack at 4AM, especially when it’s a muddy hot mess. This should help not only protect my tent from mud but also from tearing if whatever is on the ground underneath decides to poke through. It weighs in at 2.5 ounces. So, I’m hoping that doesn’t put me in the red zone when attempting to reach the magic 9 pound base weight. Last I checked, I was at 12, and wondering how the hell I was going to rid myself of another 3 whole pounds out of my pack. It’s a never ending battle. Funny thing though, I’m saving about the same weight with my next purchase.

I gave in and bought the Gossamer Gear Gorilla 40 backpack (1lb., 14.8 oz., without lid, thanks to Ralph, the voice of reason). As much as I love my Osprey Exos 58 (small, 2lbs., 4oz. without the lid), last year I lost enough weight within the first two weeks to make my pack sag on my hips. Not fun. There came a whole host of issues with this. The pack weight either had to ride on my shoulders alone or I ended up attempting to bear with the poor fit and feel the bag rub against my lower spine the whole time. The belt on that bag is fixed, unlike the Gorilla, so even when I did come across an outfitter with belts to switch out, my pack’s belt wasn’t interchangeable. So, I just pushed on the entire two months with a bag that was ever so slightly too big. The Osprey and the Gorilla are both unisex packs, but according to the reviews, I’m hoping it will fit my figure a bit better. If not, I can switch belts and remedy the situation if it calls for it.

The Gorilla cost $260.17 with shipping. I’m hoping worth every cent. I have been a diehard Osprey customer for years, and three out of the four packs I own are from their company, but as my hiking experience grows, so too does my gear. Time for a change. If worse comes to worse, I still have barely enough time to test out the pack and decide if ultimately it will be the one I fly with.

Another consideration is footwear. I still have to secure where and when I’m going to pick up my alternate shoes. I’m also considering whether or not I should use a hiking sandal or trail runner. I love the Oboz Sawtooth low riding hiking shoe I used last year, and was planning on staying with that brand and cut, but I went online to the manufacturer’s site and you can’t direct order. Well, at least I didn’t see a page for it. Maybe I will check again. I’m thinking if not, that leaves me having to call outfitters and find out who carries what. Time is rolling right on by, but I think I can figure this out.

Anyway, strategy, resupply, phone service, blah blah blah, are still being worked on. 3 weeks and counting. Blows my mind how fast the last six months went and how no matter how on top of stuff I think I am, there is always more to do. Crunch time!

I think to myself how lucky I am to have all this freedom. I’m American, and as a woman, pretty much, I wouldn’t say entirely, I am treated with respect and given many of the same rights as men. I have no children and no husband. Not that that would restrict me by force, but by choice. If I had children and/or a husband, I would be much more reluctant to choose such endeavors as hiking long distance. Hell, if I had a dog, I might choose less. The training requires long hours, and I take obvious risks being a woman alone in the woods for months on end, not to mention walking alone in the dark in an urban environment. If I die, I die without responsibility to another. I die living, not in front of a television, behind a desk, or in a kitchen. Instead, I get the very awesome pleasure of feeling truly alive every day, goal in sight, ready to work, and work hard. Nothing beats it.

I used to think, poor me. I never settled down. I’m like an old maid. But reality is, this was by design. I have had many opportunities, but chose not to indulge. So far, I have no regrets. This life has too much to offer, too much to see, too much to do. As much as I wonder who will care for me in my elderly years, I don’t worry. Worry is useless. Preparation may be imperative, but I’m not stupid. There will be a time and a place for all that.

For now, I walk.

It’s almost 7AM. I’m in Lake Worth staying with my parents. Luckily for me they live near a bridge. I have to head home to Fort Myers earlier rather than later due to errands and making attempts to finalize preparations for the trip. My days off go by quickly, but I’m hoping to at least get in 10 miles this morning. Three weeks left before lift off.

It started raining as soon as I left the house this morning, but no thunder or lightening. So I proceeded out. Although my parents have a beautiful house in an awesome neighborhood, they do live considerably close to some sketchy areas and often you will find equally sketchy people wandering about early in the morning. Today was no different. Although, I say this probably being considered one of them by every passerby in a motor vehicle.

My friend Sammy said to me recently, “It’s hard being this crazy. Isn’t it?” I tend to agree. Getting up at 4AM sucks sometimes, but I’m still thinking very much worth it. Off to the races Baby!

Ugh. I got up at 4AM, again. Lately I have been tired, really tired. I took a couple days off from my routine and getting back into it is difficult. My muscles are tight and I have been enormously fatigued. I’ve noticed my lips have been chapped lately and I’m suspecting dehydration. It’s hot out there, even at 6AM.

Walking the bridge can some days be like taking a bath in sweat, bleeding water. Easy fix though. In the meantime bandanas are essential. So hoping Maine will be somewhat cooler than this.

Thunderstorms were going early this morning in the distance. Wasn’t sure it was a good idea to be on the bridge. So, I waited and worked on some prep instead. (I really need to reweigh my bag.) A favorite client, Ralph, became the voice of reason to me yesterday insisting I don’t skimp out on anything gear-wise. I think I’m going to listen. I’m also going to listen to Morgan and set aside a day to walk the full 42 miles. See what that feels like. Problem, it’s a thousand degrees out mid afternoon, but I guess there’s nothing wrong with leaving early, break during the hottest three hours and get back out there, finishing in the dark. Gulp. Scary to see where I’m actually at with only a few weeks to go.

With time running out, the anxiety is building. Do I have everything? Did I do everything I need to do to secure my life back home for two months without worry? Is my plan solid? Am I freaking crazy?

Btw, I tried switching to Verizon last week and it wasn’t just that easy to switch services. My phone is locked so I’m going to have to take it to Sprint and have them unlock it, then go back to Verizon. It’s not that big of a deal, but I dislike having to do things multiple times before I see results. Wait a second…..

It’s 6AM and I’m downtown on the bridge for another early morning urban hike. I remind myself this is the coolest part of the day, but my weather app says it’s still around 77 degrees. I’m tired and I really don’t feel like doing this… again.

I actually am coming off a 5 day break, which may explain at least part of my attitude. I’ve noticed the higher my mileage during the workweek the less likely I am to be enthusiastic about walking day and night. Today should mark my graduation to 24 miles per outing, but I’m already convinced I’m going to fall short.

I got up at 4AM, but instead of immediately getting out there, I made breakfast and had some tea, and generally became conscious first. Sounds like it’s good for me, and probably is, but when you are balancing a grueling workout schedule and work, plus whatever other errands I have to attend to, it’s as if my life is owned.

I’m hoping once my body wakes up and I’m back into the swing of things, perhaps my joy for this endeavor will return, but for now, sometimes it feels like a job. A job where the rewards aren’t felt for months and miles.