The Virginia Blues are real.

It’s taken me a while to muster up the energy to write this post. I’m at mile 729 in Daleville, VA at a Howard Johnson Motel that for some reason doesn’t use fitted sheets on their beds and smells strongly of cigarette smoke. 

I’ve been living in the woods or dirty motels for over two months. I’ve gone through snow, rain, cold, burning heat. My legs are covered with bites and rashes. My shoes quite literally fell apart, shedding pieces of shoe all over the trail. I ate five packets of ramen in 24 hours the other day. I’m tired, so tired and regardless of whether I am doing 2 miles or 25 miles, it feels hard and strenuous the whole time. Water has been sparce on the trail causing constant dehydration. I’ve made friends. I’ve lost friends. Ive fallen six times. I’ve cried hysterically and laughed manically at the ridiculousness of it all.

It’s funny how desensitized you become to things that once were exciting. I walked by a bear the other day, said hello and kept on going. They’re no big deal now. I set up my tent right after watching a rattlesnake slither away from the spot I was hoping to tent on. I was tired and just hoped he wouldn’t return.

This hike is hard. This week was the first week I started understanding why people quit. I’ve heard and seen people I know quit. I’m so tired. Mentally, I haven’t been here this week and physically, it feels like I can’t wake up. I’ve debated getting tested for Lyme disease because of the fatigue and muscle aches but both symptoms could just be a result of hiking every day for 2.5 months straight. 

But, I know this will pass. I think tomorrow is going to be a good day. My two gal pals on the trail, Merry and Pippin, reminded me today of a really good day we had about 1.5 months ago when the sunset was gorgeous and the energy on the trail was lively and fun. We decided we would have a good day like that again soon. 

I’ll be okay. 

I promise!!! 

Onward and upward.