Week five: “A star is born”, part two

Well, well, well. I officially have a trail name. Let me take you back to how it all started.

Picture this: a busy gym. I’m on the ladder for the fifth day that week. I have my backpack on with about 30 pounds of weight. I’m losing motivation to train. Especially in the monotonous stair master. I change my music to Broadway. I’m blasting «Whipped into Shape» from Legally Blonde: The Musical. What better song to exercise? And I find myself lip syncing the words.

«I want you to get in shape

When you say jump, say «how high?»

You know you’re doing it right

“When you start crying”

And also get into the song a little and dance a little. I decide it would be fun (and a great way to fill the time) to film myself.

And that’s when it all started. I started a TikTok/Instagram series called “training for the Pacific Crest Trail…but do it on Broadway.” «Wait for Me» by Hadestown, «I’m Here» by The Color Purple, «Astonishing» by Little Women, «Great Expectations» by The Outsiders and many more.

One in particular, Hamilton’s “My Shot,” went viral. More than 90,000 visits.

After rigorous Broadway-inspired training, I arrived at CLEEF camp on April 16, cautiously optimistic about my physical readiness. Within 30 minutes at CLEEF, two different people came and recognized me from my online videos. «You’re Instagram’s ‘Make it Broadway’!» they both exclaimed. And from that moment on it was almost inevitable.

But for the first few weeks I wasn’t ready to accept a trail name. I wanted to have an AHA moment; a moment that clicked, an undeniable name that shone and reflected back to me.

Good. I decided to do more of those Broadway lip sync videos, but I actually took the PCT instead of training for it.

My hiking partner captured me, my tent, and an incredible sunrise, the perfect combination for a rendition of “Good Morning Baltimore” by Hairspray. But instead, I spliced ​​the audio into “PCT.”

Well, that video went viral. One notable comment came from Pacific Crest Trail icon Blaze of BlazePhysio, a physical therapist who has performed miracles and saved many a hike.

“How come your trail name isn’t Broadway yet!?” She asked. And more than 400 people liked that comment. I guess they agreed. From then on I had no choice.

The name of my trail is Broadway. Welcome to the show.

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