a long walk in the woods…

This past weekend, I took part in an endurance hike here in Michigan called The Crucible. It’s a 22 mile on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail or as past participants call it, “a walk through the woods with friends”.

But it’s so much more than that!

It’s kind and encouraging people coming together to cheer one another on, it is angels in disguise that show up just when you need them most and, while it can wreak havoc on your feet, it’s a game changer.

I did my first Crucible hike last fall on the Jordan Valley Pathway in northern Michigan and it was one of the most stunning hikes I’ve ever been on. The summer leading up to it, I was training hard and in better shape than I am now.

Saturday, I kept up with the group for the first 8 or so miles, but then after that, with each step, my feet were in terrible pain. I managed to finish the 22 miles because I met an angel in disguise named Kristen. This was her first Crucible but not her first hiking adventure and she was also hurting, mostly in her hips. She was a fellow yogi and we kept one another company and talked and laughed and it was amazing. Having her there was what got me through the last 8-10 miles.

To do something like this, I truly believe mental fitness is almost more important than physical ability. Your mind starts to play tricks on you and screams at you to stop and the pain doesn’t help. But you look around and see everyone smiling, laughing, and also struggling and it pulls you through.

The husband and wife team of Juston and Carrie and their staff really care about each and every hiker and want them to finish. I had originally sent Carrie an email that I was going to go out and try to complete the hike, but thought I might have to cut it short.

Everytime I wanted to quit, her words in her email response changed everything… “I really think you can do this.”

I can’t wait to sign up for the fall! :)

XO
N