Date: 2005-09-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After my friend Chris and I decided to ride our bikes cross country last summer I kept reminding him, "You realize that this is going to be the hardest...but greatest thing we've ever done in our lives?" There wasn't going to be anything glamorous about biking through days of rain, up mountains, camping at night without cleaning up, and then waking up to do it all over again. However, I knew it was still worthwhile. Now I regard this attempted thru hike as the hardest...but greatest thing I've ever attempted. Success on my cycling trip gives me an added sense of confidence, but I still constantly remind myself about how hard it will be.   So why am I doing this? I haven't addressed this topic in my journal yet. I believe there are four main reasons. Initially it was another adventure to add to my list. I enjoy testing my physical and mental limitations and seeing how far I can push myself. Secondly, after completing my bicycle tour I longed to return to the relaxing state of mind that the open road provided. On the road your primary concerns are: 1) What am I going to eat and drink? and 2) Where am I going to sleep? There's nothing better than the peace of mind that this lifestyle offers. Thirdly, there's no better way to see the country than at 12 m.p.h. Wait a minute, that's how fast we were riding on our bikes. Let me rephrase that for the AT...There's no better way to see the country than at 3 m.p.h. The United States is a beautiful country and I've only just begun to explore it. Awe-inspiring views when you least expect them make an entire week's worth of hard work worthwhile. It's almost an issue of patriotism.   If you love your country, know what it has to offer. Finally, last but not least, my favorite motto and life creed, "LIVE LIFE." This is the tattoo on my friend Jasper's right bicept. It says it all. Why read about the adventures of others and live vicariously through their accomplishments. Tomorrow I could   get hit by a car and die. I could be diagnosed with cancer. I could slip on a #2 pencil at school and fatally wound myself tumbling down a flight of stairs at school. It's sad but true. If I were to die tomorrow, would I be satisfied with the life I lived today? Are there any things that I wished to accomplish but never had the guts to try? Will I think I entered a career too early and missed out on my youth? Will I be one of those adults that says, "I wish I did that when I was your age?"               Since I decided to thru hike last summer, I've read a great number of books about the Appalachian Trail. I figure that the more that I know, the less I will be surprised by while hiking. The problem is, the more I read, the more I want March to arrive. I still have five full months to go and reading keeps it at the forefront of my thoughts. The days pass just as they normally would, but my start date seems so far away. I wish I could forget about it for five months and finally just pack my bag and leave.    Every day I train at the YMCA after football practice. I started out lifting free weights, concentrating on my legs and lower back. Last Sunday I picked up a Backpacker magazine and read an article regarding off season fitness for hikers. Following the routine of alpinist Ed Viesturs, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are core exercises. Tuesday and Thursday focus on legs and upper body. Cardiovascular exercises are at the end of the day, five days a week. I'm pretty fit already. The article suggests that I build to a certain level of difficulty for each exercise. I'm starting fairly close to where my ultimate goals should be. I'm confident that within a few weeks I can start following this routine religiously and be in great shape come March. It will definitely feel wierd to exercise with a loaded pack at the gym.