Post-Schna-ulations

Rachel Carson Trail Challenge

I must be crazy. Our wonderful friend Jessica somehow (without much arm twisting, surprisingly!) convinced Jon and I that it would be a good idea to attempt the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge on Saturday, June 19th.
After reading some of the accounts from previous hikers and hearing from my co-worker that his uncle (a marathon runner) said that this hike was far more challenging than running a marathon, I'm beginning to be a bit afraid. All the people who stopped sweating, passed out, or starting throwing up on the trail also add to that fear a bit. Then there's the guy who said having to come back and try again next year would be a "fate worse than death." HOWEVER, I have hiked before, and I'm in better physical shape now than when I hiked before (this would be in AZ mostly, though the longest trail we ever did was 11.2 miles in Chiricahua). I know to bring salty foods, lots of water, extra socks, good shoes, etc etc. However, I need all the help I can get if I'm even going to make it halfway! SOOO, anyone out there with hiking experience or words of wisdom for ua, PLEASE let me know!!
In the meantime, I am thinking that with only a month left, it's time to seriously start training (this will include a few training hikes on the weekends on the very trail that we will be challenging). Anyone in the Pittsburgh area up for long walks in Frick or around the city or outside the city (if you have a car and know any good places to go), GET IN TOUCH!
That said, I now must go spend 5 hours Neuropysch testing people in a room smaller than most people's closets! so exciting. :)

posted by Schna @ 1:31 PM