Today I started my journey and it was one hell of a learning experience.  You’d think I would have learned my lesson about biting off more than I could chew after my experience on my trial run on the PCT but apparently I needed a reminder.

Fortunately, my awesome cousins and siblings came with me to start the first few miles of my journey.  Unfortunately, I didn’t make it as far as I had hoped today.  I made it just over 15 miles out of the 17 I had planned.  If I had written this post 2 hours ago I would have said I was disappointed in myself.  Fortunately, I spent the last two hours talking to my brother and sister and they managed give me some perspective.  In my planning for this trip I made some arbitrary numbers up in my head as to how far I needed to make it on particular days, today’s number was 17 miles.   I started out my marathon by trying to do a mini marathon… with a 30 lb backpack on.

By the end of the day I was completely exhausted.  That coupled with taking on an incredibly intimidating and scary  and the extremely recent passing of my uncle (whom I dedicated my trip to for those followers that are not facebook friends with me) was enough to make me panic.  And I mean really panic.

My siblings helped me to realize that the goals I’ve set for these first few days are way too intense and completely arbitrary.  I don’t actually have a deadline to be keeping up with.  If I’m physically incapable of making it 17 miles at this point that is perfectly ok.  Hell, even 15 miles was way too much for me at this point with my backpack on (a recent addition).  My feet were pretty destroyed, I’ve got massive blisters on my heels and I pushed my hamstrings too far.

So for the time being I’m dialing it back a few notches.  I’ve realized I need to pay attention to my body and actually heed its warnings.  I’m going to continue my journey at a slower pace and let my speed ramp up on its own.  I’m proud of how far I made it today and I’ll try to keep this new mentality in mind the next time things get tough… which I’m sure will be very soon.

Follow my Instagram, @walkforrestwalk91 to see photos of my journey!