3 months on the path of the Apalaches.

June was a month of change and slow moments.

The beginning of the month brought many things at the forefront of my mind. June 3 is my mother’s birthday. I knew it would be a difficult day, so I made sure to be close to others that could help me distract me. I was not exactly sure of what would arise or how I would feel, but I maintained an open mind. As expected, it was a day of mental and physical challenging hiking. However, it was also celebrated, I reached 1,000 miles from Springer. I had achieved something that I wasn’t sure of ever arriving, and doing it on my mother’s birthday felt transcendental. I knew she would be very proud.

Feared roller mountain

This month brought many family faces, which caused a lot of pain and comfort. Knowing how proud the others of me remind me of the conversations I could have had with my mother. I try to concentrate on the love that surrounds me, but her absence still weighs most of the days.

Seeing the family lifted me and helped to push me through the challenges of reaching half. Reaching that milestone felt incredible, and I was especially lucky to have my partner Ian with me. He joined me for a week, and we spent an incredible time. We both feel fortunate to share these memories. I even completed my greatest day of mileage with him … a day of 30 miles! When we arrived at the average score, I was excited, but also tried by the understanding that everything would have to do everything again. I know I can, but the mental fatigue of being here out for so long has begun to wear out in me.

The week after Ian left, my dad picked me up so that I could attend my cousin’s wedding. The break was very necessary and reminded me how much more seems to me in the forest. The change of the way to «normal life» was discordant. Comfortable, yes but almost too comfortable. The softness of the beds, the ease of showers, the predictability of meals, I felt that I no longer fit in this lifestyle. Talk to the family and listen to their questions and astonishment for what I have been making renewed the impulse I needed to continue.

See Ian for the first time after 2.5 months.

Eat a lot of chicken

This month was also a moment of reflection. Being close to Ian and my dad gave me the opportunity to talk about how I have changed and listen to their perspectives as well. It was powerful to hear them say how calm and happy I look like. The discomfort that I have pushed my body has affected, but I move on. I realized that a large part of why I continue is the mental strength that I have developed. My ability to see the positive in difficult times has been tested by rain and heat, but I can still laugh and wake up wanting more. I am constantly amazed with me and those around me.

Returning to the road, I knew there would be new physical challenges. At the beginning of the month, I was dealing with a great foot pain. I took it easy, and fortunately free time helped heal some persistent problems. Even only one week free meant that my body had to readjust to mileage. I could fit for more than 100 days with lower miles, and when I returned completely to the life of the path, I felt almost back to normal.

Meeting with people who had not seen in a long time also lifted my mood. The path is magical in that way, you know many people, but crossing roads again is always a cheerful surprise.

Now, at the end of the month, being close to family faces has helped overcome the most difficult moments. I am in New York now, and the end is close. Lately, they have reminded me that I do not press too much to continue advancing, but with the awareness that this is coming to an end. The path has changed life. I am not the same person who took those first steps months ago. I have softened somehow, hardened in others. I have discovered the force that I did not know, and I have seen the same force develop in others around me.

Playing cards after a rainy day.

I am still dealing with the idea that this will not be my «normal» forever. But I try to stay in the present, reminding me of the gift I have given myself when I am here is still developing and I have many new ideas to learn and places to experiment.

-The godfather

My dog ​​had to join a mile.

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