So everyone told me that hiking was different than ‘just walking’, but really, how hard could it be? Well today was quite an eye-opener for me!Well we did have our first hike last week. We walked around the Inner harbor and up Federal Hill. Well it was a bit difficult, but that was because I was basically hiking around in sneakers right? I mean I was more focused on not slipping and falling in the snow than anything else. So I remedied the situation by heading to REI to get boots, yaks, and a ‘hydration system’. Actually I was really excited because I finally had an excuse, er um I mean, a reason to get a Camelbak!
So appropriately attired, I figured a 4-mile hike at Patapsco State Park couldn’t be that bad. I mean I’ve walked 2 ½ marathons so what is 4-miles? And once we got to the site, my TNT mentor let me borrow a set of poles so I was all set.
Since you know there has been quite a bit of snow in MD, you might ask, “So were the trails cleaned off? I mean you all have had over 40 inches of snow in your last two storms”. Well, the snow was hard packed in most places and melting, but no, the trails were not clean down to ‘bare ground’ in most places. I must Thank God for Arden, my TNT mentor, because without those poles, I probably would have fallen many, MANY times today!
OMG – That hike was tough! And of course, since I am a novice, I was also the SLOWEST one too (Sorry, team ) And not only did we walk up and down snow packed hills, but we also crossed streams and I even crossed over a stream on a LOG!! Talk about being out of my comfort zone! I have to thank my TNT team, coaches, and mentors with helping me with that crossing. Without them, I KNOW I wouldn’t have made it.
But I MADE IT!! I finished, albeit slower than I would have wanted, but I finished. I got home, took a shower, cleaned my gear, and have it ready for next Saturday. Will I do it again?! You BET!! I love a challenge and this will DEFINITELY be a challenge. And its for a good cause, to find a cure for blood cancers! I may complain and be a bit sore, but I can only imagine how many people who are suffering from leukemia, other blood cancers, or any cancer, would have LOVED to be outside with us on a beautiful day, hiking not matter how long it would take them to finish the hike instead of being in a hospital having treatments. I’ll be back out there next week, for them AND for me!
