Day 3,206

Growth:

Even a day after the time spent in the woods on my hike I can still feel the calm and stillness of my experience on the trail. Throughout the days I was transported back to footsteps on the trail, memories of a song I heard and exactly where I was when I listened to it on the trail, and the sights all around me.

The time spent hiking on a trail isn’t just for that moment, it sustains the soul for eternity.

Appreciation:

Our brains are really interesting things. After completing my 50k hike yesterday my perspective of myself felt very much improved today. I felt more successful. I felt as if I was an inch taller, 20 pounds lighter, and had reduced my body fat by four percentage points. I was more confident and happy with myself, my drive, and my grit. Everything felt better.

In reality – almost literally nothing had changed other than taking more steps than normal. I really hadn’t changed much at all. There were likely no measurable differences from yesterday morning before the hike to this morning other than some stiffness and soreness and maybe a little weight loss due to dehydration. Mentally though, everything had changed.

I now KNOW that I can hike 50km (31.07 miles) in one go rather than guessing. I now KNOW that I can grit through the pain and suffering of hiking a crazy long distance in a heat index of a degree below one hundred. I now KNOW that I can keep finding more and more ways to drive a wedge between what my mind thinks is possible and what my body is actually capable of.

Yesterday I tested myself. I passed. That fact has made all the difference today.

Presence:

I’ve been very in tune with my body today. After the beating I gave it yesterday I was very nervous about getting out of bed this morning, and rightfully so. My first few steps were brutal, my feet felt like they’d been broken. My muscles were all stiff and my joints were taking some time to loosen up too. In taking those first few steps I was surprised at how I noticed each and every muscle group involved in hiking!

Throughout the day everything started to knock the rust out. I caught myself taking steps without soreness in my feet. My legs started moving fluidly. The short walk we took Leia on really felt wonderful. By the end of the day I’d spent a lot of time on my feet and had helped Dominic and the Scouts plant a bunch of trees – AND – I was feeling great!

All day long I’ve been very cognizant of the sensations of my body, so much more intentional focus on what I am feeling and where specifically. What a gift to be so much more present today!

Thanks!!!