July 13th! Two months in! I've crossed the 1000 mile mark and will cross the 40% (1060 miles) mark tomorrow (because I have to finish on October 13th- exactly 5 months from when I started- I'm pretty close to the absolute "slowest" I can be traveling). I'm a little over 100 miles behind my original schedule that had me finishing on the 1st of October, but I'm not that worried. If I need to, I'll be jumping from my parent's house in Bend to Government Camp (or even Timberline) which will boost me forward at least 100 miles. At this point I'm more into the "experience" of the PCT than the purity of it (taking a zero here and there with family or for a holiday). I'm making little hops here and there but my main rule still holds: except for the Government Camp/Timberline jump, I'll never jump from one resupply to the next (always less than that).
(This 1000 mile mark almost makes me feel entitled. Like I could go into a restaurant and say, "I have hiked over one thousand miles to get here, can I get a discount?" It's also a lot of fun to be able to say "thousand" in the answer to all the "how far have you come?" questions)
Motivation: more often now I run into days where I am not very motivated. Almost every day I'm getting up at 7:30 or 8 and not starting to hike till 9 or 9:30. But my mood usually turns up around lunchtime when I take an hour or so to relax, eat, and read. Then I can usually pound out enough miles post-lunch to still make at least 20 for the day.
Unfortunately the PCT has lost its initial thrill of adventure- but I guess that eventually happens with everything. Now I look forward to going into a resupply and taking a break from the trail (course it's not like I didn't before) and I get that boost of motivation after just leaving a "town".
Almost to halfway! Canada, here I come!
This is your best post yet. I love the honesty, it matches life and, yet, you end it with your optimistic view. Keep it up and we'll keep the light on for you in Bend.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Dad and Felechia
I'm getting the impression most of the time you are hiking solo now, whereas the first few weeks you had a lot of company. That's a big factor.
ReplyDeleteHey, the unmotivated paragraph has strong parallels to the working world.
ReplyDeleteLet's talk about motivation after you've done the same tasks eight hours a day, five days a week, fifty weeks a year for a few years.
hi! i was wondering if you see any new/interesting trend at the PCT while hiking so far! if you have anything, could you please let me know? thanks!
ReplyDeleteHmmm... trends? I'm not sure. This seems like a deeper discussion for email, so email me at derekantrican@gmail.com and I'll see if I can help you out
DeleteSounds like life, marriage, parenting, a new job, the Christian walk. The honeymoon wears off but then you find out what you are made of and real growth happens when you learn how to persevere and stick with commitments and walk with God each day at a time.
ReplyDeleteDerek, the fact that you've made it over 1000 miles on the trail is testament to your motivation. You've come a long way and although you have a long way to go, you know you have what it takes to make it. Proud of you Stepson! Love you, Greg
ReplyDelete