I'm more than halfway through, now, and I'm pretty excited to still feel so alive and motivated. I am thrilled to continue to discover the trails in Texas as well as a few new ones around the great USA.
As someone that has never ran more than a mile, really didn't hike too actively until almost 30, and didn't really know what a balanced diet was until recently, I feel I'm on the right path and doing well. I'm not downplaying my experiences, but I know there is always room to grow. I'm somewhere in the middle of figuring it all out - just as I'm somewhere in the middle of this challenge.
I keep saying I want to increase my hiking lengths, and I will. BUT, today, I learned I also want attack more hills and build some strength. Damn, it felt good to tackle the hills today - such a high. Within the week, I am going to start training for a 5K - to some that isn't much, but to me it'll be a real test. I want to be able to run the whole thing and feel that high at the end. I guess we'll see how that goes. I'm not quite at the point of wanting to join a gym or anything, but I am ready to run. I've been walking all year, more so before the Texas summer, and I am ready to go a little faster.
I dream of mountains. I don't have a lot of experience at high altitudes or with massive elevation gains, but I am not ever going to shy away from the opportunity to try it out. I know whenever I get the chance, I'll be soaked with sweat and have jelly legs but I'll have accomplished something new. SO, bring on the mountains. I'm working on developing a new challenge for next year that may involve mountains - to encourage a little push outside of my comfort zone and a little push outside of Texas.
All in all, I'm excited for the upcoming 18 or so hikes left in the challenge. I am hoping a couple of them will be in Michigan, at least one in Washington, and maybe a few in National Parks.
To conclude this little blurb, I write in this blog as kind of way to recall what I've done. I know it's not highly organized or polished and it doesn't follow a great format - but it's more for me to use as a way to trigger memories. I am seriously happy if anyone enjoys it and I hope it really does inspire someone out there, but don't be too critical of it as a whole. Thanks!
Happy hiking!