Day 16: Mental vs. Physical

Summary 
May 11th

Duncannon to Peter’s Mountain Shelter

NOBO mile # 1158.2

Tolmann’s daily miles: 11

Tolmann’s total miles: 134.5

When preparing to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, one often hears how it more a mental than a physical challenge. One also hears, “if you can hike the 1st 100 miles, you are physically able to hike the whole 2190 miles. 
While there is truth in both of these statements, they are also generalizations and exaggerations. 

The 2nd claim may have more validity on a NOBO or SOBO hike, where you are experiencing the more dramatic terrain early on, but for a Flip-flopper, I don’t entirely agree. 

Days 14 & 15 were both long days for me; 16-17 milers. Day 16 was meant to be a short day to recover, and also because it is setting up tomorrow’s hike. But the 11 miles for today went slowly, and I didn’t get into camp until 4:30. 

Part of the issue with physically proving oneself capable, is that the challenges change. Until Cumberland Valley, shelters were reasonably spaced, making my 10 mile a day goal feasible. Cumberland Valley forced me to do a couple of long days, and actually put me in town four nights in a row. 

Now, I am stuck with a mandatory 17 mile day tomorrow, because there is NO shelter in between. If today’s pace is any indication, it will be a challenging day. 

As far as the mental vs. physical piece, I have to say that this is the most physical thing I’ve ever done; my body is constantly reminding me of its existence. I’m constantly feeling how the pack is effecting my balance, how my hips are the weight-bearing platform, how my shoulders stabilize the load and pull the pack snug against my back. How my feet are the center of the energy transfer as each step propels me toward, or they need to absorb the impact stepping down off a rock or a down steep descent. I can feel my skin as I give off heat, or as the sweat becomes chilled.

Then there are the smells, best left unaccounted. 

Yes, being with the physical sensation, staying with it, is a mental game. But for me, at least for now, the two are pretty equally balanced. 

On the way down to breakfast I felt something give in my left lower leg. Took some ibuprofen and gentled my way into walking; didn’t feel any ill effects for the rest of the day.

 View coming up out of Duncannon

Today was wet, cold and tiring. 

But, on the plus side, I also got to eat breakfast at Goodies in Duncannon with Tilly and Hops (2 humongous blueberry pancakes; I couldn’t finish them), and eat dinner with Meeko and some new friends at Peter’s Mountain Shelter. 

And now I’m damp but pretty cozy in my hammock; ready for sleep. Par for the course.