Date: 2010-07-26
From: Durham

To: Durham
Miles today: 0.0

Observations since returning home:Slept the first day. Nonstop. Essentially threw myself from the couch to the bed and vice versa.Running really does use different muscles than hiking. Thought that was bullshit. The front of my legs get tired from being on my toes, as opposed to my calves. The Forgot my rhythmic breathing patterns. Lungs never inadequate. Plenty of oxygen. Muscles in my legs are stronger and more resilient than ever. Bones and joints beg me to stop. Skeletal aches scream at me with fiery complaints. Forgot how to land on my feet with minimal impact. Landing flat footed.I feel lethargic and sore from running 4 miles (my usual pre-hike...6 day quota)Lazier than anticipated. Not as restless as imagined.Content with very little.Not craving restaurant food. Insatiable appetite for home cooked meals.More friendly towards others even though they don't reciprocate here in Durham! Welcome to the concrete jungle!No problems driving, but I feel the urge to ride my bike more.Having water available at all times is a priceless commodity! You take it for granted. Trust me! It deeply upsets me to flush a toilet full of treated potable water after urinating in it. What an incredible waste of resources and energy! I've drank pond scum, floaters (bug legs), orange water, green water, yellow water and brown water! You drink clear water, without the slightest consideration of it's worth in platinum. It's hard for you to imagine how incredibly thankful I feel when I can drink water at any moment without carrying it or waiting to find it. You can't imagine how thirsty you can feel when water is not available to you.I find it difficult to find bathrooms when I could pee on the ground at any given moment. Granted, that impatience has left me in awkward situations with fellow hikers on more than one occasion, but never the less, it's nice dropping your drawers when the urge to piss hits you. My bladder feels weaker now.I prefer cold showers, ice cold, to warm.My stomach is weaker and can't take rich foods.Energy level isn't necessarily higher after rest and lots of food. Felt more energetic and motivated when exhausted and searching for rest. Felt increased inspiration to exert myself in order to rest later. With restfulness readily available to me, I find I take it for granted.More observant of alternatives to paying high prices for food and other items of necessity. Almost culled toilet paper from the hospital. Took toothpaste, tooth brush, lip balm and hand sanitizer from the care kit at the hospital.Less effected/affected by the trail than anticipated. Thought I'd feel more like King Kong or Tarzan in the city but I don't feel alienated like I believed I would. The neon lights and distractions aren't appealing to me. No desire to spend money on entertainment. I've utilized the libraries resources for that!Dad thought I'd be more tan, dark skinned. My legs were covered with bites, sores, scabs and bumps but now they're supermodel (hairy supermodel) clear.Dad thinks I look like Abe Lincoln. Karen thinks I look like an intellectual book worm. Grandma thinks I'm going to look like a "Wooley Booger". Averi did in fact recognize me.I'm going to need a new exciting hobby when I return. Depression could definitely set in after returning from the accomplishment of a life goal. I need a hobby that doesn't involve my knees. Running is out!I felt the urge to hug my Dad, Karen, and Averi longer than normal. Not creepy long, but I didn't want to let go! The connection to them felt stronger.I miss human contact. I'm more likely to touch Lish out of affection. More likely to offer my hand (clean hand!) to strangers that I meet. I like hugs better. Back rubs and foot rubs make me feel like a dog who can't get enough.Did I mention that I have to find something of great importance to motivate me when I make my return?! I need something BIG. HUGE! Something constructive to lean all this energy and stubbornness and determination against. Something hard! Something virtually unattainable! Even if I fail at it, I've got to find something else to focus on. Going to have to find something besides that old hamster wheel to motivate me. Running in place isn't going to be as entertaining after going so far, seeing things in constant motion.