Date: 2021-05-08
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Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I first learned about the Appalachian Trail while reading a book when I was about 8 years old. The idea of doing a thru hike took root in my mind. I wanted to hike the AT before I started high school. Then it was maybe after graduating high school. Then I got serious about sports, and I was accepted to college with a field hockey scholarship. That was another dream I had, and I decided to pause my dream of the AT to pursue college sports. but the AT never really left me alone. I was always thinking about it. I could always hear it calling. It was like an itch that was just out of reach. But I was busy in college; I had more going on than ever before, and I had to give school and field hockey my whole focus. After two years, I left school, completely burnt out and degreeless. For someone who has always identified as being intelligent and athletic, it was disheartening to have to leave like that. I felt lost. I didn't know what to do, where to go in life, or maybe even who I was anymore. I tried going back to school a few times, I got a few jobs, and during that time, I started facing a new challenge. I was exhausted, like a bone deep fatigue that wouldn't lift. I would sleep around 10-12 hours at night, wake up for a little bit, and have to nap for 4-6 more hours before I went back to sleep for the night. I could barely put thoughts together. I couldn't remember anything. I went to doctor after doctor until I finally got a diagnosis: Lyme Disease. I had to do long term antibiotics to get better because I had been dealing with it for so long, and it had gotten so bad. After 2 years, I was finally back to relatively normal. This time, when I went back to school, I chose online classes. I went part time. I got a part time job. I tried to keep a better balance, and earlier today, I clicked submit on my last final. As long as I pass my classes from this semester (which, knock on wood, I should), then I'm graduating with my Bachelor's in a few mere weeks. When my parents asked me what I wanted to do as a celebration, I jokingly said thru hike the AT. Once I said it out loud though, I realized that it was a real possibility. For the first time, I have the time, most of my energy back, and though I'm not in tip top shape right now, I can just take the beginning of my hike slow and build up my endurance. As I sat with the idea of actually starting a thru hike, I started getting more and more excited. I started pulling my old gear out of storage. I started going on longer walks every chance I got. I started planning what I would need and what I would need to get ready. I told myself that I was debating whether I would actually put this plan to action until I had really thought through all of the pros and cons, but that's a lie. As soon as those words slipped out of my mouth, I knew I needed to do this. So as classes end and I type this today, ready to shift my focus fully to the thru hike, my excitement continues to grow. I wake up each day looking forward to continue preparing. I'm planning to set out by the end of this month on a flip flop hike, and I'll keep updating this with news, as frequently as I can, as the journey unfolds. Signing off for now:    - Glowstick¢Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. The sleeper must awaken.¢ ¢ Frank Herbert