Hiking in Shenandoah National Park

Today was a big day.  And you know how I went running for the first time in years on Friday?  It meant I started today's thirteen-mile hike sore. 

Our friend and guide, however, had plenty of trekking poles to spare, so I readily accepted the pair he offered, and away we went.

My mother-in-law was afraid I had taken on so much that once I got back alive, I would never want to go on a big hike again.  Maybe I had neglected to tell her of the time that without any prep I hiked from Hurricane Ridge to the bottom (roughly nine steep miles, if I remember correctly) and then when the evening activity was a four-mile round trip hike to some natural hot springs in the dark, I slipped my blistered and sore feet into my flip flops and that was that?

I (and some biology classmates of mine on the same delightful field trip) was sore for a week.  Could hardly climb even one stair.  (Railings and arms were made for times like these.)

Or maybe I had neglected to tell her about that backpacking trip to Ice Lake (in Oregon's Wallowas), again with no prep but with enough altitude gain for twenty-some switch-backs in six miles or so.  In the dark.  And right back down the next day.  I was sore for more than a week that time.

So she might have been worried I would be intimidated by soreness; I expected soreness and a lot of it.

What I DID fear, though, was something I don't think anyone else did.  I was afraid I would hit my rope's end about half way through, hold everyone up from finishing at anything like a reasonable time, and be a ball of tears.

Of course, I wouldn't feel in the least put out if someone else did that, but I couldn't bear the thought that I might be that person.

Long story short, I put all that out of my mind, got in the car with the others, accidentally left my phone in the car because I forgot I was planning to use it as my camera, and set out with the others. 

Our friend and leader kept a wonderful pace.  We kept moving well.  Every time my "bad" knee felt tired and before I told anybody about it, he stopped for photos, water, or rest, and I simply never felt rushed.  With a nice long lunch break (during which I aired out my feet and put on a clean pair of socks....felt wonderful!), I kept feeling good (if a little sore) through about mile twelve.  Then I felt just about done.  Then before I knew it we were in the parking lot.

I think I'll sleep well tonight.