The Day I Realized I’m a Hiker

In the last 36 hours (I’m writing this on Tuesday evening), I have hiked 20.09 miles, driven 700 miles through three states, visited four covered bridges and been to two state parks. Within that 36 hours, we were able to do those 20 miles in a 24 hour period – ten one evening and ten the next morning. I’m not afraid to say that I’m proud of myself.

Our intentions were to take a road trip, hike a few miles, eat good food, and explore. If we had planned to hike 20 miles, I wouldn’t have gone. I know I wouldn’t have. I would have been intimidated and doubted my abilities. I would have told Katie she was crazy.

A year ago I decided to start hiking close to home on short trails. I honestly don’t know what inspired it, but I drug Aaron out one hot and humid June afternoon and we went to St. Francois State Park. We survived, were faster than the suggested time, and were willing to go again.

I am not a trained athlete (although I did play sports in high school). I’m not a crossfitter. I don’t go to a gym, other than the brief time I joined so Hunter could have an adult to go with him.  I don’t run. I hate running. I’ve tried Couch to 5k several times. I never make it beyond the first week. And I don’t even really enjoy walking the neighborhood. It’s boring to me.

But I was willing to try hiking, I enjoyed it even though it is exercise. Most trails have a suggested completion time, so the competitive spirit in me always wants to beat it. It’s interactive. I’m looking for potential snakes, animals, or picturesque views. Sometimes we follow the GPS and others a physical map. Often there are interpretive displays or markers explaining a significant point. Once the hike is over, I’m checking MapMyRide to see what my stats are. I want numbers, data, charts, and graphs. I’m a numbers geek. I am a learner. I am naturally curious and hiking allows me to use my brain.

We started out on short two mile easy or moderate hikes, and I have worked my way up to longer and harder ones. I’m not saying it’s easy. I huff and puff, groan and complain, and occasionally stop for a second, but I’ve gotten better. I have improved. I just hiked 20 miles in two days, and I’m still walking, albeit slowly and with a few blisters.

I have become a hiker.

My point being with this is if I can do it so can you. One year ago I would have been like- I could never do that or maybe in a couple years from now I will be able to do it. Honestly a month ago I felt good about a 5 mile hike and was considering tackling a 10 mile easy one but was still a little leery.

And yet when the challenge lie before me, I stepped up. I kept going. I was determined to challenge myself even I if was dragging myself up those steps at the end and there were a TON of steps.

Katie and I are beginning to tackle our next adventure – this blog Lagom Adventures. Again if you would have asked me two months ago if I was starting a blog, I would have said no but here we are. We were going to start out simple but it keeps growing. We are anxious to see what the future holds.

So if you are sitting on your couch reading this and thinking “that sounds interesting but I can’t do that,” let me tell you “Yes you can!” And I don’t mean just the food or tame adventures. I mean try whatever interests or challenges you whatever that may be. Don’t let your mind keep you from trying something new. Step out of your comfort zone.