New Year. New Me.

I wanted to get in some hiking over Christmas break from school but I didn’t really feel like driving 10 hours in a weekend to go to and from Big Bend State Park. So I opted for a quick trip to Lost Maples ( Fun Fact: I took my wife here on her first backpacking trip).  On New Year’s day I went on a quick overnight hike to Lost Maples State Natural Area. It was my first overnight hiking trip since I went on that 151-day long one this summer.   I only hiked about 7 miles, but it was a strange feeling. But this post isn’t a trip review its about something that people rarely make New Years Resolutions about.

4 Things I Learned the Hard Way (so you don’t have to)

 

So last spring/summer I went on the trip of a lifetime (most of you probably already know this, but I am hoping that I am getting some new readers at some point). I spent 5 months backpacking the Appalachian Trail.  I lost some weight, climbed some mountains, made some friends and learned a lot about myself. Since I’ve been back, people have asked me what exactly I learned on the trail, and how it’s changed my life.  While I still feel like the same person, there are a few things that have really stuck with me, and (I think) can be applied to many people’s goals in health and fitness.

Less is more.

Since I’ve been home from the Appalachian  Trail, I’ve been busy.

I got home on a Thursday and went back to school full time on the following Monday.  I did my last drill and was honorably discharged from the National Guard.  My wife and I are expecting our first child in March, and I’m back to working at the gym part time.  Needless to say, my training schedule was not exactly at the top of my priority list.

You don’t choose your passions.

Since returning from the Appalachian Trail I have been asked the same 2 questions over and over again.  “Did you see any bears?” and probably most frequently, “Why did you do that in the first place?”

First off, yes I saw bears, about 6 in total, mostly in New Jersey.

Secondly, to answer the question of why is to ask a much deeper question. A question that has been asked lots of times, by both curious toddlers and Freshman philosophy students, and that sometimes, there is just no answer to.

“Why?”

You pack your fears…

On this great adventure, there’s a lot of time for reflection and thinking.  I hope to use this time to come home smarter than I was when I left.  This is my first post from the trail, so I’ll share with you, my devoted readers, one thing I have learned so far:

Don’t pack your fears. 

A few days ago, well really a few weeks ago, (sorry… my wife has been slacking at the distance editing!), I was at “Neels Gap.” This is the first real outfitter and stop on the Appalachian Trail.

Pre-trail jitters.

On Wednesday, I leave for the Appalachian Trail.  All of the big boxes are checked:  I’ve taken a leave of absence from my job, (Thanks Amy and Mimi), made a deal with the devil, (Thanks Texas National Guard), and I’ve registered for classes in the fall, (Thanks Texas State University registrar).

By Thursday, I’ll be on a trip I’ve dreamed of since I was a little kid.  Dreams really do come true!

Despite all of my excitement, I’ve been having some mixed feelings about leaving.  In particular, I’m struggling with one very unfamiliar emotion. For the first time in a very long time, I’m worried. Let me explain.

Appalachian Trail: A brief history.

“Ugh, Another Appalachian Trail Post, will this guy just go hike already?”

I know, I know, BUT my wife’s loveable Aunt DD, requested I write a post on the history of the trail.  I’m never one to say no to a lady, so here goes.

New Year’s resolutions…

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.- Mark Twain

 

I thought I would start this inspirational post with a inspirational quote.

Are we all inspired now?

Perfect.

Working to live or living to work?

So. I missed the blog post last week.

I know, I’m probably contributing to your abandonment and trust issues and whatnot.

But I have a good reason.

I was on vacation!