[pct-l] Break Strategies

[Larry Hillberg]

Each of us eventually wanders into our own strategy, if we allow it.

I thru hiked at age 60.  I trained ahead of time - 30 + miles per week over
the previous several months - so started out relatively fit with proven
shoes. Starting out at 12 to 15 miles per day, I eased into fitness and was
doing over 20 mile days within two weeks.  With neither blisters nor
physical difficulty, I enjoyed the trail from the beginning.

Each day I hiked with the body I brought to the trail - no schedule or
expectations.  I hike relatively fast, typically 3 to 3.5 miles per hour.
Typically I would walk for several hours without stopping, usually 7 to 10
miles, then stop at a pleasant spot for at least an hour.  Every spot
became special in some way during the time I was there, no matter how it
seemed at first, in sometimes surprising ways.  I'd walk several hours
after the break, again with flexibility and geography determining my lunch
stop, where I'd eat leisurely and often nap and usually spend at least two
hours.  After lunch, with usually a short break or two, I'd walk
until finding a place that felt good or allowed the terrain or water
availability to choose the place where I slept.

My thru hike required five months, with a zero day approximately evey five
days, and 29 zero days overall (one stretch of 7 days straight).  I
averaged 22 + miles per day on the days I walked, with a range of 9 miles
to 35 miles.

If you read this far, here's the best advice I have.  You can't see it, but
Canada looms out there ahead of you   You can't see it, but you'll feel it,
more and more, the nearer that you get.  As you go, when you become tempted
to stop for even as little as ten minutes, whether to enjoy your new
friendships, to simply relax and savor the moment, or to gaze at the
incredible scenery around you, remember that it's perfectly okay to be ten
minutes late to Canada.

Enjoy the moments.