Dreams and Running

So I've had a couple dreams about hiking the Appalachian Trail and I must say it's pretty cool that my subconscious is agreeing with my consciousness. Despite the super slow start, I'm feeling pretty confident that I'll reach my goal next year; I feel it's definitely supposed to happen and I'm looking forward to the biggest physical challenge I'll ever face.
I'm still running and meditating every day and am feeling more fit already. My legs, after a couple less strenuous days have lost their soreness which is such a relief. I've added yoga to my routine as well because it's beneficial to do after running especially when you're muscles are no longer in good shape. My plan is to work my way up to 5 miles and then when I can do that comfortably, I will try to do that twice a day. Right now, I can barely finish 2 miles before my legs start burning.

Physical Training Has Started

So I started running yesterday. Ran for 45 minutes and ended up super sore today but I went for a second run anyway. I ran half the distance and walked for half an hour afterward when, even after 20 minutes of yoga stretches the soreness was still quite problematic....let's just say stairs are really hard right now. When I finished my second hour long walk, I took an Epsom salts bath. Hopefully I'll see results tomorrow because I also tried a whole lot of other techniques to heal sore muscles such as vitamin B's and vitamin C, omega 3's, staying hydrated and green tea. Regardless, the physical training has begun and I won't stop running. I'm adding meditation and yoga to my daily activities to so I can stay focused both on my goal of the through-hike and on the day to day tasks I have.

The Show Must Go On!

So between work, relaunching my crowd-funding attempt, meeting someone interested in possibly hiking the Appalachian Trail next year and attempting to get better sleep, I've been distracted from this blog. It's still rather hard to think about what to write because things are only sort of happening. There are still too many maybes that have to be ironed out. I know I have a whole 12 months left to plan, but it's hard to believe it will happen without concrete evidence. I mean, after 21 days, I received 0 donations (which is why I felt the need to relaunch the crowd funding cite) and I still need to find someone to go with. Hopefully I'll see progress before too long because the slower this process is the more inclined I will be to quit; and I can't. I just can't. I'm not sure I can explain why, but I need this experience.

Choose Encouragement Over Pity

If you read yesterday's post, understand that I don't want anyone's pity. I spent over three years wallowing in self-pity and I learned it's absolutely pointless. People with stories like mine don't want to hear the word "sorry"; it just doesn't help. We need encouragement. I would want someone to say "I know you. You're going to get through this. I'm here to support you in whatever way I can. You're not to blame." Where I am now, I want to hear things like, "Yes! Yes! You did it! You came through to the other side! It seemed impossible, yet here you are!"
No pity parties! I refuse to attend! And I hope all of you avoid them as well.