Today was a topsy-turvy day because everything I did was the opposite of what I have been doing. I hiked south back to where I got sick instead of hiking north. I didn’t wear a pack and the trail was flat going through fields instead of rocky going up and down mountains.

I was slack packing to see if I felt well enough to continue with my hike. I made it back to Boiling Springs, PA, but I was more exhausted than I should have been when I got there. I got some gentle persuasion from my personal doctor and my hiking coach that I was pushing too hard considering how sick I have been. So I am taking a zero tomorrow- again. 😩

The next stretch of the trail is strenuous with steep uphill climbs and lots of loose rocks that require lots of concentration and balance. The two people I have been hiking with let me know that after doing it, they both needed a zero day to recover and that I should make sure I am well before I start.

I would rather hike tomorrow, but I’m definitely not 100% and my number one call for this trip is no injuries. My number two goal is to enjoy the journey and my number 3 goal is to finish and if I don’t finish this year I will come back another year and finish. So I am playing it safe tomorrow.