THE ONES WHO DARED
THE ONES WHO DARED PODCAST Elevating stories of courage. You can listen to some of the most interesting stories of courage, powerful life lessons, and aha moments. Featuring interviews with leaders, pioneers and people who have done hard things. I hope these stories help pave the path for you to live out your courageous life.
THE ONES WHO DARED
67 Miles for Water & Legacy: 3 Women Hiking the Appalachian Trail for a Cause That Moved Us
What happens when three women—two of whom had never backpacked overnight—decide to hike 67 miles on the Appalachian Trail with 40-pound packs, all in honor of a grandmother who was forced to walk a similar distance at age 16 when taken by Nazis during WWII?
In this special episode, Lauren Elhajj, Stefanie Flynn, and I share the raw, unfiltered truth of our six-day journey through Shenandoah National Park—complete with trail blisters, false summits, unexpected courage, and the unforgettable “trail magic” that kept us going.
This hike wasn't just a physical challenge; it was a mission. We set out to raise funds for Charity: Water, and thanks to generous supporters, we’ve already raised $3,697 toward building a clean water well for a community in need. (And yes—you can still donate! Just head to https://www.charitywater.org/teams/67miles#).
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why this journey was deeply personal for me, and why all 3 of us took on this challenge
- Expectations vs reality
- The hilarious and humbling reality of camp life (bougie eyelash brushes included & other weird items we brought on the trial)
- Our “scream, spray, stab” defense protocol
- What it's like to hike with marathon runners (when you are not one)
- What the trail taught us about resilience (and wool toe socks with Vaseline!)
- Reflections on the trails we walk—and blaze—for future generations
We came for the cause, but we left changed—more connected, more grounded, and more aware of what really matters. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re capable of when you say yes to something outside your comfort zone, this conversation is for you.
🌍 Donate to our clean water well project here: https://www.charitywater.org/teams/67miles#
-Links-
https://www.svetkapopov.com/
https://www.instagram.com/svetka_popov/
Welcome to the Once a Year podcast. I'm your host, vekha, and today's episode is a really special one. I had the incredible honor of hiking over 67 miles yes, that's over 67 miles on the Appalachian Trail with two powerhouse women, lauren Elhaj and Stephanie Flynn. Together, we laced up our shoes, pushed beyond our comfort zones, got blisters and hiked steep hills, not just for the challenge, but for something far greater than ourselves. We did it to bring clean, life-giving water to people who desperately need it. Through our 67 Miles for Water campaign for Charity Water, we raised $3,697 towards building a clean water well, and the journey changed us in more ways than we could have imagined.
Speaker 1:In this episode, we share the raw, honest and sometimes pretty hilarious moments from the trail. We talk about what pushed us, what surprised us and, most of all, why it was worth it. It's a story of friendship and purpose and what happens when you say yes to doing hard things. And here's the best part you can still be part of this journey If you feel inspired while listening head to charitywaterorg. Slash 67 miles. Slash 67 miles to donate. Every dollar brings us closer to building that well and bringing hope to an entire community.
Speaker 1:So grab a coffee or a cup of tea and, whatever you're doing, settle in, because this conversation is one that I hope inspires you and stays with you long after the episode ends. So let's dive in. Hey friends, welcome to the Ones who Dared podcast, where stories of courage are elevated. I'm your host, becca, and every other week you'll hear interviews from inspiring people. My hope is that you will leave encouraged. I'm so glad you're here, Lauren and Steph. Welcome to the Once With your Podcast, or also Littlefoot and Quarter Horse. Can you guys briefly introduce yourselves, who you are, what you guys do for a living. Just a little bit about the off-h are what you guys do for a living. Just a little bit about the off-hike version of you guys.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm Lauren and I am mainly a mom, but I'm also opening a wedding venue in Mannheim, Pennsylvania Awesome.
Speaker 3:I'm Stephanie. I am also a mom, but I work outside the home as an occupational therapist. So I work with kids from birth to three years old in their homes, and I love backpacking.
Speaker 1:He was the experienced, avid hiker. Versus Lauren and I have never been on an overnight backpacking trip. We've been camping before. And I'm Svetka, as you guys know from the host of the Once a Year podcast. On the trail I went by Dakota and that's really interesting because we had a guy that we ran into who was a solo hiker. He was not a through hiker, but he. I think we actually asked his name. I think I might've just asked his name and then he asked us our names and I was like oh shoot, and I told you guys, like there's hiker names, so we can't give our real names away. And so when he came around to get the name Dakota just jumped out and then you guys felt like that made sense, it was, it was meant to be.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So before we get into the questions, I just wanted to give the listeners a little bit of a background on the AT Trail, because some people may or may not have heard of it. So the AT Trail was conceived by Benton McKay, who was a regional planner and enforcer, and the first section opened in New York in 1923. In 1937, it was completed for a continuous path from Georgia to Maine, and currently it's managed by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, also known as ATC, in cooperation with the US Forest Service, national Park Service and over 6,000 volunteers annually, and it's 2,198 miles in length. It covers 14 states, from Georgia to Maine, and the through hiker duration usually takes five to seven months, and we could see the trail by the about two inch white blazes that were either on the rocks or the trees.
Speaker 1:Also, just so you know, june 21st is nude hiking day on the trail, so if you're nudist there it is. If you plan to hike with your family, just know, maybe stay off the trails on June 21st. There's also 250 backcountry shelters that are spaced along the trail as well. At is the oldest long distance hiking trail in US and about 3 million people hike portion of the trail each year and only one in four hikers who attempt it usually complete the through trail. So yeah, there it is. I'm really curious to why you guys agreed to go on this hike, because I got a lot of no's. You're, you all the crazy ones that said yes. So I want to know.
Speaker 3:So, as I mentioned earlier, I absolutely love backpacking and I've gone on a few trips before, but only like two nights, never a longer duration. So that was my first, like you know. Okay, this is six days long, like, yes, I'm up. So I was just really excited about the prospect of being able to go out for that long and also like the idea of the well really resonated with me too. And, sveka, your story about your grandmother, as we share my grandmother, was also in World War II, so I felt like that was kind of a special connection for me.
Speaker 2:And Sveka, you just asked me to go on this trip with you kind of I don't know what few months ago, and I was like, heck, yeah, I'll go, I think, right away. I just love a good challenge and every year I try to do something that like pushes myself, and this was so beyond my comfort zone. I think I've only been camping in a tent like two other times and then one time in a camper for like two nights, so this was a major stretch for me, never been out in the wilderness, so I was excited to just conquer something big like this and show my kids that I can do something scary.
Speaker 1:Well, I'm so glad you guys came, because you were you two were like the perfect people for it. We had a really great team having amazing attitudes throughout. Really, each one of us was pushing ourselves to the limit, like not complaining, just really doing our best to hike. For me for those who may not have heard the previous podcast on the 67 miles this was a very personal journey for me. Besides also wanting to set myself on a challenge and do something like endurance, every year I want to do at least one thing that challenges my mental and like physical self. But I've wanted to do this for a while to hike about the same distance. That, or walk the same distance as my grandma was forced to do when she was taken by the Germans. When she was 16 years old. She was forced out of her hometown to become a slave for Germany by the Nazis, so she walked that distance with two days and one night in the barn, and I've actually considered kind of doing something like that within two days, but this was a little more reasonable. And then the other thing, too, is I really wanted this hike to provide a benefit for something more meaningful and Charity Water is an organization a benefit for something more meaningful. And Charity Water is an organization I heard the founder speak Also.
Speaker 1:I love that their nonprofit has a different model than a lot of the nonprofits, because to me I don't usually give to nonprofits unless I really know the cause, like I'm personally involved like Midwest Food Bank is one that I'm involved in, so with them they give, every dollar goes directly to the cause and to the well. That doesn't include admin costs or their employees or anything like that. So I really love that. And I also love the fact that people can give directly on their website so I don't have to handle the money. I never get a penny out of that. People can trust that they're giving directly to that and it's going straight for that. And also Charity Water will notify you where your well is built, who it's impacting, and so to me that was really, really meaningful For me. That really kept me going, knowing like this is bigger than us.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'd say the highlight of our days also was like just seeing how much money we raised. It was fun. Svetka was documenting the whole trip so well on Instagram and asking for money. Even at the end she was saying like we weren't going to come home until we made $10,000, which Steph and I were like we're going home, we'll bring you food and stuff if you want. But yeah, that was awesome.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I did have. I was like help us get home, we need you guys to help us build a well. And I had one friend who was like so are you not are?
Speaker 2:you going?
Speaker 1:to keep hiking. So let's talk about expectations versus reality. What did you think it would be like versus what it was like for you guys? Were there points that you felt like, oh, this is going to be, this is as hard as I imagined, or I didn't expect this to happen At the Once we Dare podcast? Giving back is part of our mission, which is why we proudly sponsor Midwest Food Bank. Here's why Midwest Food Bank Pennsylvania distributes over $25 million worth of food annually, completely free of charge, to over 200 nonprofit partners across PA, New York and New Jersey, reaching more than 330,000 people in need. Through their volunteer driven model and innovative food rescue programs, they turn every single dollar donated into $30 worth of food. Now, that's amazing. Join us in supporting this cause. To learn more or to give, go to midwestfoodbankorg slash Pennsylvania.
Speaker 2:I think I figured that the pack would probably be the most challenging part for me. I knew walking the mileage wouldn't be too bad, but with that pack that was definitely more difficult than I even imagined. Because I did practice a little bit the week before, but only with about 30 pounds and we were pushing about 40 pounds on our back, which we realized the through hikers do not do, and we definitely had quite a few luxury items. But it was kind of worth it because we enjoyed those items. But yeah, I think that the weight of that pack was really heavy. By the end of the day your feet really hurt.
Speaker 2:I'd also say I thought, like the going to the bathroom was going to be maybe a little easier with Svek had the great idea to get these bidet sprayers so that we don't need to use toilet paper, or not as much of it at least. Right, and the reality was it was kind of a waste of water because sometimes it was hard to find water. So using the bidet to go to the bathroom, yeah, that used a lot of water. So thankfully we were able to restock on toilet paper at a few of the way sides that we stopped at during the trail. But yeah, I'd say the pack and the bathroom situation was a little tougher than I thought.
Speaker 3:I think for me I kind of knew what to expect with the backpacking and the weight of the pack. One thing that was unexpected was the sun and the heat. We didn't quite have the tree cover so I felt like we definitely got sunburned and that was somewhat added another element of discomfort. One bonus thing that I wasn't expecting that was nice was the wayside locations where we could kind of stop and get a cold drink snack. That was definitely wash our hands. That was a huge benefit that I've not really had before. So I'm glad that we had those unexpected surprises on the trail. One other thing that I think was different than what I expected was not having marked campsites. So that did add a layer of stress in just mapping out our day's course, knowing you know what mileage to shoot for and then kind of hoping that we were going to find a place that we could actually put a tent, because you need like a flat spot and, depending on the vegetation, that can be challenging. So that was an element of challenge that I wasn't necessarily expecting.
Speaker 2:And I feel like that was more on Steph's radar than Svetka and I like we didn't realize about the whole campsite situation, but Steph really like kept us thinking about that as we got to the end of our day and, yeah, it was just awesome to have her and, yeah, find good camp spots.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I think we all try to set camp around 6 o'clock or 5 to 6, just so before we have enough time of daylight to be able to get ready, have dinner and then do that.
Speaker 3:So what was some of the bougiest things we got, or comfort items that you guys brought, I think for sure, having being able to stop, stop and and buy, like you know, a cold drink. That was bougie. Um, not something I brought with me, but being able to have access to that. Um, as far as bougie, I would say I brought dry shampoo which I was a little nervous about six days without washing my hair. So that was my bougie item. And I also did bring like a blow up pillow, which I could have easily foregone, but I decided to take the weight and the room in my pack for my pillow.
Speaker 2:What did I bring? That was bougie, you brought a chair. Oh, I brought a chair. Yeah, I borrowed a camp chair. Steph had one too, actually, but that was a game changer. But yeah, a lot of hikers that are backpacking don't have the luxury of bringing a chair.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so you guys thought I had the bougiest items. So I brought in an eyelash brush. That's because I had my lashes done for a business trip in Milan like a week before this trip, so I'm like they're going to be like going all over the place. It was super light. Some other weird items that I brought were I brought oregano oil For those who don't know why somebody. It was a little container that weighed nothing, but it's anti parasitic, anti microbial, antis your immune system Also, like if you have digestion issues. It was like a really quick toolkit, more like a first aid type of thing. I also brought peppermint and lavender oil mix because bugs and if I'm not bringing deodorant because it weighs too much, I at least want to smell like peppermint.
Speaker 2:You only got the peppermint in your eyes one time and you were burning your armpits. I know at least one time I was like guys my armpits are burning.
Speaker 1:Never put the oil directly on your armpits, FYI. Oh my gosh. And then what else do we bring? That was like I'm trying to think what I brought.
Speaker 2:I bring face oil. I was just like how can I go all week without any moisturizer? I did bring like a teeny thing of that, and I brought some essential oils as well. Just really tiny vials of them.
Speaker 3:Um, yeah, I think that's it though well, I think too, for some the through hikers would consider our stove bougie, because some of them don't even cook their food. So we were able to have hot coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, hot meals, whereas some of the thru-hikers cold soak their food and don't even take the weight of a stove.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's true. We met River on the trail. She said her whole thing weighs 17 pounds, where my backpack weighed 35 with food and water. At the beginning. And yeah, I think you guys were like give and take in between that as well. So that was, that was a lot. I think.
Speaker 1:For me, the challenging part what I expected versus what it was is, um, the the hiking with the pack was hard but it was just like, okay, we're doing this. So there was no, you're not going to go back. And and I think I tried to slim my pack with food, I took out oatmeal. I took out as much as I could. I didn't even bring a bowl like for food. I was basically eating out of the containers and I had my cup for coffee and if I needed to put food in there, but I didn't want to double up. So I took a bunch of bars out. I took oatmeal out because I was like, okay, I'm just going to have a bar for breakfast, that way I don't have to bring an extra bowl. The one thing I wish I brought more of was shower wipes. I got enough for every day, plus some. I wish I would have brought more of those.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I agree, two a day would have been a lot nicer.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like you said, steph, what I loved was the fact that we had these spots where we could refresh. I did take a cold shower for $5 at one of the stops. I was like, guys, I'm doing it. I think this was after a really hot day too, where I actually would have loved a cold shower. It was not a problem At first. It was kind of shocking, you know, to your body.
Speaker 1:But, um, I've done cold showers before and cold plunging, so it wasn't something that was I was just uncomfortable with or unfamiliar with, but that was such a game changer for me as a cold shower. I think it was like on day two, it was the hottest day. And then washing my hair in the sink with shampoo on like day four. I am such a germaphobe, guys, the things that you do on the trail is not stuff that you do off the trail, and I figure that's probably why they have trail names, besides kind of hiding your identity. But washing your hair in the sink would have grossed me out, just thinking of all the germs of people, stuff on there, everything. But I'm like, nope, this is amazing. And I'm walking around looking crazy with my bandana.
Speaker 2:You were definitely the cleanest one of us. Steph and I did not shower the entire time. We did not wash our hair, we were just like all right, get clean, specko, we'll be out here eating snacks.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and then the base camp too. That was the other at the very end. There it was in Fort Front, royal Front, royal. Amazing town for hikers, by the way. If you're hiking through there, they're really, really welcoming to you through hikers and through hikers in general. They have a whole place called Base Camp where you can do your laundry for free, you can shower for free, they provide towels, even loaner clothes, which is an interesting thing that we found out through some of these hikers who said that when they do their laundry, the laundromats usually provide them with clothes to wear. And I think it was 54 cold, right, did he say. He walked around town wearing like a flowery hat, some baseball T-shirt and stuff for like a couple hours. So, yeah, that was interesting. What totally caught you guys off guard on the trail or just through that?
Speaker 3:week. I think again I would just have to revert back to saying, like not having the campsites marked on the map was that kind of caught me off guard, because I've not been accustomed to that. That and like the heat and sunburn caught me off guard.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you burned your ear at one point.
Speaker 3:My earlobes. I didn't get any blisters on my feet really, but my earlobes blistered from the sun, which has never happened to me before and usually I think, having enough tree cover, that you just wouldn't have that level of sun exposure, so that kind of that definitely caught me off guard.
Speaker 1:Yeah, if we walk through different types of terrain. There was a portion on a hot day where the leaves haven't bloomed yet and it was no coverage at all, even though we were in the forest, essentially. But you're walking and walking and there is no coverage. It's just like direct sun on you.
Speaker 3:I would also add the poison ivy. I know we were in the woods, but I did not expect that level of poison ivy, like it was everywhere.
Speaker 2:Yeah, the poison was crazy. I think that was one thing like every day. I was just praying we wouldn't get poisoned, because I'm super allergic to it. Svetka said she was. I think Steph is too, so I was like kind of freaking out about that, but we were all good. At the last day Svetka had like this rash looking thing on her feet and then I looked at mine and I had a little too. It turned out to just be heat rash, but we were kind of scared for a minute that we were getting poison on our ankles and feet. But yes, I'd say the poison. But really, like since I didn't know what to expect I mean, everything was new to me, Everything was unexpected.
Speaker 1:I feel like, yeah, yeah, I think actually the rash happened. I feel like it was a few days before the end where I was like, okay, great, I have a blister, because the time that I carried the tent the bigger tent, the two-people tent it made my pack weigh about 40 pounds and that was the day that I got blisters. So prior to that, we did what was the sock brand? Ngingi, ngingi, ngingi, I think it's Ngingi, yeah, okay. So those socks were really amazing. They're wool and toe socks so it kind of prevents from your toes rubbing against each other.
Speaker 1:And then I did what my neighbor recommended, which he hiked the El Camino trail 500 miles and he did silk sock under wool sock and we also put Vaseline on our feet before either sock. So I felt like that was really helpful and I don't think I would have blistered had I not had the 40 pound pack on my back that day, because it was just too much. It was like right on the heel. And then that day it totally I just had that rash and it was like everywhere where the sock, but it wasn't itching like as much and it wasn't spreading. So I'm like maybe it's just from like wearing the same socks, even though we alternated socks I think I brought three pairs and just alternated those but I did wear the toe socks the most because those felt the most comfortable. Yeah, do you guys want to add about toe, about socks?
Speaker 3:I maybe this was a bougie item, but I did bring a clean pair of socks for each day. I think I think part of that was concerned, like if, if we had rain, I didn't want to have wet feet, so I wanted to make sure I had at least dry socks for each day, and I swear by the Vaseline method. I use that for running and skiing and hiking and I felt, um, you know, and obviously making sure that your boots are broken, in which I know Lauren went some, tried some boots that didn't work out and ended up with trail shoes. But I think overall we did a really good job keeping our feet taken care of and, you know, just little minor blisters, but everything was pretty manageable and I think we came out pretty unscathed as far as that goes.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I wore the toe socks I think four out of the six days. So that's pretty gross, but they were working good so I didn't want to switch it up. But then, when they were kind of giving me a heat rash, I switched over to another pair of wool socks I had and wore them for two days.
Speaker 1:So yeah, Okay, and supply list. What did you bring that you?
Speaker 2:wish you didn't bring. I feel like we brought way too much warm clothes. We did not need a hot, a winter hat. We would not have needed, like the winterish coat I brought. I switched out at the last minute um a lightweight pair of sweatpants for like a fleece pair. So yeah, I think just over-prepared for the cold. I'm glad I didn't put gloves in. I think maybe you guys did that. I brought gloves but I didn't bring a hat. Yeah, so yeah, we just had too much warm clothes but we didn't want to be cold. If it was temperatures dropped in the mountains.
Speaker 3:I think, yeah, looking at the weather and Shenandoah is such a large park, so we kind of did our best to look at the weather ahead of time and make decisions based on that. But obviously weather changes and so I had cold stuff, the same as Lauren, and I also had a rain jacket and a poncho and rain pants, which I did not use any of it, but the fear of having to put up a tent in the rain, I kept it all in my pack, so I think I would probably have taken some of that out. And we also brought a lot more fuel than we needed, so I would have probably taken some of the fuel out.
Speaker 1:Yeah, the fuel for the jet boil, which the jet boil is amazing. It's such a quick way to heat things up. And we also had rain covers for our backpacks which we did use. So when we were looking at the weather, we had two days that was possibility of rain and thunderstorm. We did get rain twice, but it was in the middle of the night, thankfully, so we never had to break down or set up in rain. And one point it did drizzle, like we were. We got up in the morning and said it was going to rain. At eight o'clock we put our rain clothes on and then it just kind of drizzled a little bit and then we didn't hit rain. So we got really lucky with that. What do you wish you would have brought that you didn't bring, or maybe bring more of?
Speaker 3:Well, definitely the shower wipes. Yes, wish I would have brought more of those, I think. When it comes to food, I think I did pretty well with all of the food stuff that I brought Maybe a couple more salty crunchy snacks, but I think the shower wipes would be the main thing that I wish I would have brought more of.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and maybe I would maybe bring. If I could have, instead of all the warm clothes brought like two fresh t-shirts, that would have been nice. I I didn't. I wore every shirt two days and it was just. They get so sweaty with the pack on, like your. Your entire back is just drenched when you take your pack off. So like putting that shirt on again after like a day of it being soaked with sweat was a little bit gross.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I, I did get to wash my shirt once.
Speaker 1:Of course you did the long sleeve one, yeah, so I brought two short sleeves and then one long sleeve, and then I had a rain jacket and a poofy coat, which we did use the very first day that we were there.
Speaker 1:It was actually really cold at night, so some of you guys were wearing your hats and we all were wearing our like warmer jackets, but that was the only day, and then it was hot from there. So, and that what I would bring again is that I feel like the piece of clothing that I really loved and I'm happy I brought was the long sleeve like sun shirt that was light, so I didn't have another t-shirt underneath and just that, and that helped me protect during that very hot day, which is ironic, like to wear a long sleeve, but it really kept me cooler. I don't think I would have brought more shirts. I think just like washing them and I got to wash that once. So for me, definitely more shower wipes. I feel like I've done the perfect amount of food, like I felt like I had the right amount, and I'm thinking what else that I wish I could have brought.
Speaker 3:Oh, I just thought of something. I would have brought more electrolytes, two servings per day instead of one.
Speaker 2:Agreed. Yeah, I only brought one per day. And we were both saying like, oh, I wish we had another one.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think I just I put the Soursop Beanie ones in the pack and I just put in the Ziploc bag and I was able to kind of get it through. But it is really nice to get refueled. Oh, the other weird thing that I brought was salt.
Speaker 3:That was your alternate trail name salt.
Speaker 1:Yes, I brought the Celtic salt. My friends are like you can bring it for electrolytes. I'm like I already have really good. It was actually the same salt and Beanie. They use really great quality salt for their Soursop electrolytes, but I salted food. I'm like this is really good but could use more salt.
Speaker 2:And those dehydrated meals probably have like so much salt in them. Yeah, I mean, they last for like 30 years, but she needed more salt.
Speaker 1:Definitely yeah. And you guys were making fun of me with my lashes, my lash brush. I was like you guys, I just got to keep these lashes straight.
Speaker 2:Um, we're trying to hit the trail and spec because over there brushing her lashes okay, that didn't really actually happen, but yeah, oh man.
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Speaker 2:Oh, I think it was that. I think it was called the Skyland Wayside and there was like this balcony off of the wayside which is like they had food in there you could get snacks and all of that. But there was this balcony and it was the perfect spot. It was like this beautiful overlook, look for watching the sunset, and like that was one of the things on our bucket list. We really wanted to get to watch a nice sunset. So I think that night it was so relaxing. We just got some fries, we got a beer, we watched the sunset, like it was just so beautiful and so peaceful and, yeah, I'd say that was a great moment.
Speaker 3:I liked the um, the Vista that was like seven ish miles before we finished. So it was the kind of the last Vista that we came upon and it just the way it was set up. You really felt like you were kind of on top of the world. It was like an awesome sort of view and we took pictures there of us sitting on a rock and that one was just a really magical vista for me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think there was a lot of really beautiful vistas that we got to see. We got to see some pretty sunsets, and Steph is the flower girl, so flower power. You took pictures of every unique flower.
Speaker 3:I would say we probably came upon maybe like at least 15 or more different species of wildflowers and trees, and it was the perfect time of year to catch all that yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think we did pick a really, really great time of year to go, and I also loved Skyline. That was amazing to have that's. I also did the extra freshen up. Oh, the other bougie thing I brought was a razor, so I got to shave my armpits at that place and really like freshen up or like I felt like I showered, so and then for me it was knowing like I can actually go to the bathroom there when I want to. You know, I think they closed at 9 PM, which we were usually in bed by nine or in their tents by nine, and so it was awesome to know you can go to the bathroom anytime. You have toilet paper, you have access to water, you can really feel really clean and also get a cold drink or a snack if you wanted to. So I think that was a huge thing. The other thing that I really loved was trail magic. Do you guys want to tell the listener what trail magic is?
Speaker 3:So trail magic is this concept where someone kind of is somewhere along the trail and they have a little treat for you, whether it's like, you know, something cold or something to snack on. So the people that we came across it was on day one and we really were maybe five or five-ish miles in at that point and we kind of were alerted from another hiker that there was trail magic up ahead. So we were super pumped about that. We had heard all the lore of trail magic and it was a husband and wife team and the husband was the hiker and the wife kind of followed as the support person in the van and they had a selection of cold drinks for us to pick from. So it was like sparkling water and some ginger ale, which I think jump-started Sveka's ginger ale, her pursuit of ginger ale throughout the whole trip.
Speaker 3:Yes, so we were able to have a nice cool drink and we took a picture with the wonderful couple. So it was just a really nice boost for morale with the wonderful couple. So it was just a really nice boost for morale and we have a plan of hoping to do that. You know, return the favor, pay it forward and do that somewhere in PA along the AT.
Speaker 1:Trail magic was amazing. It gave us like a boost of morale, like it was our first day. You know, we were like all excited, had all the energy, had our breakfast. Just got to the trail, we hiked about halfway, or probably not even, and got that the cold drinks. And to me it was almost like someone gave me an introduction to a drug and you can't help but think about the drug, the rest of the trail, like literally all I want. Every time we got hot I'm like man, I want that ginger ale again.
Speaker 2:And like Svetka was funny then because there was just hikers, like day hikers, and she started asking them do you know if there's any trail magic? And this one sweet couple, the woman said after Svetka explained what it was. She was like oh I'm so sorry, I wish I had some trail magic for you as we sat there like hot and resting.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, she was like I wish I was your magic. Yeah, but it's something you can depend on. It's like a nice surprise to have a nice add on, but you can't depend on it because it was so hot those days that were really, really hot. You just want a cold drink. So I think, like providing that for hikers would be amazing.
Speaker 1:And we got to meet a river from who's doing the thru-hike. We also got to meet Zepp, named after Led Zeppelin. He was from Germany, right, yeah, and then 54 Cold, which he has an interesting story, and I think him and Zepp are going to try to hike like majority of the trail together, so we're hoping to maybe like figure out where they are. River has her contact information, so she said she'll contact us when she gets near us so we can provide some trail magic. But there's also people who will carry a backpack with cold drinks and will hike and give out drinks rather than being stationed, which is awesome. People are like why would somebody do that? It's probably because they hiked before and they know what it's like.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think once you get trail magic from someone, it's like oh, I want to do this for that, Like I want to do this for people too, because it is so exciting and just such an uplifting thing to get when you're hot and sweaty and tired.
Speaker 1:Yeah, did you guys ever hit a wall on the trail?
Speaker 3:No, I think I hit a wall on day maybe four. It was right after we stopped at one of the waysides. We refueled there so we got to kind of sit and have something cold and a nice snack that wasn't nuts or beef jerky. And it was so hot when we kind of started back out and just really feeling a little bit like, oh gosh, this is, this is hot, the air is not moving, um, the pack was heavy but actually we did a. I did a five hour energy, um, which helped me get over the hump.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that five hour energy was a tip from someone I don't even know. It's actually a masseuse I go to. It's her brother did a lot of the Appalachian Trail and so she told him I was doing it and he called me and he just couldn't wait to tell me all the tips and all the things we should do. And one of them was like, just pack a five-hour energy in your bag, because there's going to be a time that you need it. So Steph and I shared it one day. And then the one day she was struggling and I was like here, just take the whole thing, steph.
Speaker 2:And yeah, it helped her, I think I, I think was it was it the day two or three when I like was like we're just camping right here. It was, I think we had been, it was almost a 13 mile day and we had just found some water and like it wasn't an ideal place to camp. But we were like, well, it would work, we don't know if there's anything up ahead. And I was like, guys, we're just stopping right here, we're done, we're camping. Cause I was like I am not walking anymore.
Speaker 1:You got five hour energy for all of us. Lauren. I, when I was skimming on my pack, I took it out. Sorry, but I was like this ways so instead, and I actually bought these coffee chocolate bites I forget what they're called. I bought a pack of that and I bought some gummies at Whole Foods and so I actually did half and half of those. I skimmed half of each. I think that did help too. Just had like some green tea. One of them had more caffeine and sugar, whatnot, but I think those kinds of things were really helpful for the trail.
Speaker 1:For me it was probably I don't know that I hit a wall, but it was really hard to hike that day where it was super hot and they had the 40 pound tent and it felt like every step you take is like pain, pain, pain which we had a song of like. I'm not going to sing it because you guys are going to hurt your ears, but we did some singing on the trail. You did the most. You know you had to stay sane. Somehow. There were parts that you really had to mentally tap into your mindset versus your physical body, because there's points where your physical body gave out Like it's done for the day, but you're like nope, we're going through it. There is no, you know no way out of this. So for me that was just like pushing through, really tapping into your mindset of like quitting is not an option. We're doing this. This is helping people as well, and we signed up for this. We signed up and knowing it was gonna be hard at certain parts and challenging, but this is part of the trail.
Speaker 2:So and I like loved the three of us just were so good together. Like I think this could have been like the worst trip, but like it was really the best trip because there was not a single complaint in all of the six days. There was not anything negative. Said that I can think of like nothing. Like we like just we would talk to ourselves and to each other on the trail. We got this. We can do this one more step. Like we did that. We did a lot of laughing, um, yeah, we just really made light of everything. And Steph, when the, when the goings get tough, steph would be like probably half a mile in front of Speck and I and we were like well, we just got to get to Steph and she'd be up there. She would just plow through because, like you could tell, she had the mindset like I just got to get up this hill and like then I can rest and like she would, she would just charge up these hills and yeah, it was really inspiring.
Speaker 1:Thus her nickname horse, right, yeah, and we did have a lot of parts that was really hard, like uphill. There was so much of that. It just felt like and you called it a lot of false summits in Shenandoah, because you think you're like all the way at the top, you see it, you kind of don't want to look too far because you don't want to get discouraged to see how much more you have to go um, and then you get there and it just keeps going and going and going.
Speaker 2:And like I think, like we would look, we had a map and it gave us you know how how tall this hill was or this mountain or whatever. And so we'd be like, okay, it's, you know, a mile long is this hill. Well, it seemed like three miles long when you're doing it, or, like it said, half a mile. And so me and Steph were thinking in terms of like a track. So we're like, oh, that's not bad. Like two times around a track. It felt like two miles, though when it would say like half a mile, I would say that was pretty crazy. It like messed with my head because I'm like how are we not to the top yet?
Speaker 3:And we had a strategy where we would try and keep our eye on the time and take a break every like hour so that we didn't go more than an hour without resting our backs, and I think that definitely helps because it gives you that something to look forward to, like, just that little break.
Speaker 1:Yeah, breaking a snack. So I've said this on Instagram and I'm going to say it here in case you guys don't follow me or missed it. Um, what it's like to hike with marathon runners because out of the three, I am the only non marathon runner here, and so it was really funny. And early on the trail I realized you guys have this way of thinking that's different. Where you have to earn, you're like you have to earn the snack, the water, the bathroom break, break, the vista, and so we came across a really beautiful vista. I think it was like just a few miles into the trail and we're like this is so pretty. And then you guys, like, looked at each other and you're like but we didn't earn it yet. And I'm like whoa, whoa, whoa, guys, the vista is here, like it's here to enjoy. What do you mean? We didn't earn it, like what?
Speaker 2:yeah, I think we got better right. I think we got better at just like stopping and like taking all the breaks, getting all the pictures of the plants and things that we wanted. But yeah, I think it is a mental mindset, like, okay, I had this mileage in mind till that, till we can stop, and yeah, we didn't have to do that, though yeah, which I actually honestly appreciated At first.
Speaker 1:It was funny Cause I'm like you guys are saying you didn't earn this view and it because we didn't work hard enough to get to this view. And it was like but it's here, guys, it's here and I'm like you have to earn your cookie, earn your water break. And we did that. I think it was good, though I love that there was this markers, because and I am kind of like that too, so I'm not totally like hey, eat the cookie before you know, but, um, I love that because he gave us like okay, in one hour we're going to take a snack break.
Speaker 1:So you know you're walking and you're trying to, or like one more mile or whatever it was, and we would have lunch at around mile six, and then we knew it was like six more miles until we camp. So that was kind of a pace on an average day. And then we try to take snack breaks and we'd really check in with each other to make sure, like we're doing okay. And it wasn't. You know, steph, the quarter horse was in the front and everybody else was like dragging behind. We really kept in tune with each other to make sure that we were all good to go and if anybody needed a water break or whatnot.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I think that was the neat part about the hike too is like we were, we did hike together a lot of the time, but we also just had like hours or miles where we were kind of separated, Like usually, like it was Steph me, Svetka, it was kind of the lineup, but like it was really nice Cause we could just think and process the trip and other things in life, pray, meditate, all the things by ourself, but then we'd always meet up, you know, like we'd always stop at an intersection or whatever and meet back up again and go over things and talk.
Speaker 1:And, yeah, I found that I like to be either in the very front or in the very back. I hated being in the middle. I think it's because it's the anxiety of like someone pushing you behind you but you can't walk any faster than the person in front of you. Yeah, you know what I mean. So you're kind of like just stuck and I hate feeling boxed in. To me that's like a whole thing. So I love being in the front or in the back.
Speaker 2:I think I like the middle because I could like check in on both of you, like I could kind of see, steph, usually I could yell back to you yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's true and then so there was a time that I got lost, so I'll just get that off record.
Speaker 2:That was one of the times when we were separated for a little while.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so I wouldn't say it's technically lost. We were, you guys were hiking. We knew that soon we were going to replenish our water because we needed more water. It was also a really hot day and it was close to our time of setting up camp. But we knew we weren't going to camp at a shelter. So some of the reasons why we chose not to do shelters or or tent or sleep at a shelter was number one.
Speaker 1:It usually attracted rats. There's rats there, rat poop, snakes and rat poop can have diseases. Also, there can be really strange people that are sheltering at the shelters. You never know who's going to come in, what time of night or day they'll be coming in to sleep. Some people have really terrible snores and we have heard hikers who set up camp. I mean they went into the shelter and then they're like oh yeah, we got up and had to set up our tents outside the shelter because the person was snoring too loud.
Speaker 1:So I knew you guys were going to be stopping soon, but I was just like really enjoying the hike. I felt like this was almost like my solo hike. You know, I wasn't worried about cause. I wasn't really worried about getting lost. Like you know, you have a map of the trail, you know where the stops are. But then there was this intersection where I could go right where the shelter was and the stop was. In my mind that was like okay, they're definitely there.
Speaker 1:So I'm going to get off this trail and go towards the water source and the shelter and it on the map it said it was like 0.0 miles. So I'm like that's pretty close. I mean, that's like right off the trail, so I would go into that area. And then I almost went like halfway and I'm like I don't want to waste a single extra step because my feet hurt. It's like towards the end already and everything just feels so painful. Your back feels painful. I think it's also the day that I had that 10,. I think it was my second day with the 40 pound bag. And then I like yelled out your names and you guys didn't yell back and I'm like, well, they would have heard me. So maybe they're back on the trail already, cause I was really just like in my zone.
Speaker 2:Um, and meanwhile Steph and I are waiting at the shelter, we're filling up our water and we're telling people, like if you see a girl in a black shirt, tell her to come over here, Like we're like she probably kept walking. We kind of figured it out.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and it was actually the only time we didn't really well, not the only time, but one of the times we didn't have great service, so that complicated it because we couldn't exactly communicate and I think the main thing, we weren't concerned about not finding you. I think it was more or less like we didn't want anybody to walk more than they had to, like back and forth trying to find each other.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and that's it. So then after that, when I didn't hear you guys respond, I was like, well, maybe they got back on the trail, so I got back on the trail. And then I'm walking and I'm like, well, maybe they got back on the trail, so I got back on the trail. And then I'm walking and I'm like, oh, I didn't check off that box, that they're for sure not there, because I never made it to the end. They're either this way or that way. So I just try to get service. And then I seen that you called. I had a missed call from you, but it didn't go through. So then finally, we got ahold of each other. I had to just keep walking on the trail until I had reception, which was really, really spotty, and you guys were like, stay where you are, we'll get you extra water, just don't move. And so, yeah, that is that was part of like, probably like a little bit. And then you had your thing where, like, you forgot your sticks or something.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, I forgot my sticks at the shelter, so I had to go back down the hill.
Speaker 1:And yeah, I forgot my sticks at the shelter, so I had to go back down the hill and, yeah, I did a little extra walking that afternoon. So, yeah, I guess we said like you can't have the trail experience without some drama or some kind of excitement, right?
Speaker 3:But everybody remained cool. There was no real panic or anything. So I think that was good, because we didn't talk about that beforehand, like we didn't have a plan in place, like if you get separated, this is what we do. But I think we handled it well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'd say so I think I was more worried about you guys like freaking out that I was not with you than I knew that I got this. I'm like okay, like just think logically, not emotionally. They're either here or there, so we're going to find each other. It's not like I truly got lost somewhere in the woods and like I couldn't. I was off the trail and didn't know how to get back on the trail. Like I was on the trail. So I think that was yeah, and I was really proud of the way you guys handled that as well. What was the scariest moment on the hike, or did you guys ever feel scared?
Speaker 3:Well, I think for me I get scared at night. That like hearing sounds, even though you can logically tell yourself, okay, it's the wind rustling the leaves, or it's just a squirrel, or it's a deer. When you hear footsteps in the woods at night and you're in a tent, that's when I feel scared, Like it gets my heart rate up and um. So I try to just self-talk through that or, you know, put my pillow over my head and pretend I can't hear it, which is probably not the safest plan, but that's what scares me the most.
Speaker 2:I think the the last night was scary because I woke up at like 2 am, I was sweating and like I felt super claustrophobic, which thankfully didn't happen to me any like till the last night. But it was just so hot that night and our tents were really close. We had the rain flap what is it called Rainfly? Rainfly on because we didn't know if it was going to rain or not, so like there was no ventilation coming in and it just made me feel super claustrophobic. I almost had like kind of like an anxiety panic attack. I woke Speca up. I'm like I'm sorry.
Speaker 2:I just got to get out of here and like I ripped open the tent, like, stuck my head out, and then I just was like oh well, the stars look pretty out.
Speaker 1:Here she was like at 2 am Speca, the stars are really pretty.
Speaker 2:I'm like it's great, it really it really calmed me down, like I just needed some deep breaths out in the wild and um, yeah. So then the rest of that night wasn't the best and I was hearing all the sounds just because I just didn't sleep that good. But I'd also say one of the scariest parts was just like the very beginning, I'd say like even the first couple of miles when I realized like, wow, we have a lot of miles to do. This is going to be really hard. I was, I was sick, like I got sick a little bit before the trip. So I was sick and was having some belly issues the first day which were unexpected. So, yeah, I'd say yeah, just getting started and like being a little sick and feeling off, I was like, ooh, hope I can do this, like just a little, you know, a little scary.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think that well for you, the claustrophobic moment. I feel like I would have been claustrophobic too because you had your backpack leaning on the side of your tent, which was towards your head. Where your head was, your headspace was like taken up by your backpack leaning on the tent and I think I would have felt claustrophobic too. But it was just funny where you're, just like I just hear the zipper.
Speaker 2:You're like the stars are really pretty out there and I'm like, okay, I think sorry for waking you up.
Speaker 1:No, it's, it's all good. I feel like, too, the time that I felt somewhat scared was at night too. I think that is a time where, like, everything winds down, we're usually in our tents by nine o'clock because it's dark and the area where we hiked in Shenandoah National Park, you can't have fires outside of. You know designated areas, like campsites that are, that have a fire ring around them. So we weren't able to do that and we would just get in our tents. And I think for the first hour, like you're just hearing all these noises, your brain is just like scanning through what could that be and what is this noise? And you know, is this a bear, is this a person? And I think there was that one night I finally like fell asleep and then, lauren, you woke me up.
Speaker 1:You're like there's a noise and you're like someone is here and I'm like, oh crap. And I'm like looking at my knife, you know, and I'm the knife person, so and and you're like just so scared and I'm like, all right, I guess I'm going to have to like be the you know, just the brave one and get the knife out and figure this out, cause so I just kind of lay there and I'm like, all right, is it a sound Like? I'm trying to like also just listening to see what did it. What is it? But yeah, especially when we stayed in that one campsite where there was leaves all around and branches all around which you hear a lot of noises.
Speaker 1:But what I loved about that actually is I felt like if it was something truly of danger, we would hear it Like. If it was a bear, you'd hear like bigger footsteps coming, or if it was a person you know, you get like a warning ahead of time. So it was kind of like a double-sided coin where on one end you were hearing more noises. But then I felt a little bit safer because I felt like I would actually get a warning if it was something real, a real threat. Did you want to add to that, lauren?
Speaker 2:No, I forgot about that night. But yeah, I think I did wake you up there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think that's when I was like whoa, okay, and we know that Steph is asleep in her tent, her solo tent, and she's got either her audio book in trying to just silence the noise, or she said the pillow. So I'm like it's just Lauren and I who are hearing these sounds now.
Speaker 2:And we could joke about it. Then I think the rest of the nights we would joke before bed about our good survival instincts and how we were going to beat anybody up that came near us?
Speaker 1:Yeah. So, lauren, do you want to tell them about our plan, our safety measures?
Speaker 2:If you didn't see it on Instagram. Our safety measures were scream, spray, stab. I was the screamer, and then Steph was going to spray them with mace and then Specko was going to stab them, or was it? Who was it? Yeah, I had the mace. Yeah, you had the mace.
Speaker 1:So every night. I'm like Steph, do you have the mace? I'm like here you go, make sure you're you're, you're saving your tent. And then I was thinking you know, I never stabbed anything or anyone in my entire life Like I.
Speaker 2:how do you?
Speaker 1:practice that I don't know, you know, like in a bag or something. So I'm like this would have been an interesting thing, how we actually had to utilize that. But we actually decided not to bring bear spray along, which would have been a huge protection if there was a real threat, like of a human or an animal, because it weighs too much and we were told by all the different hikers and resources that black bears on this side of the States really don't bother you unless you get in between them or you don't store away your food properly. So there was nothing really to worry about. We didn't encounter any bears at all and it is really extra weight. So we decided not to do that and we didn't bring a gun either. Some people do carry the trail, but also not every park, not every state, allows that. So, and also that's extra weight, and I felt like with the three of us, if it was just two people, I probably would have felt less safe. No-transcript, like the way that you felt in your body or your mind.
Speaker 3:Um, I think for me I don't know if I was necessarily surprised, but I really just reflected on and enjoyed how I had like a lot of like clarity.
Speaker 3:Normally as a mom you know, a working mom with kids that are busy with activities I feel super distracted or pulled in a lot of different directions and I just really reflected on how much I enjoyed just focusing on one thing at a time, like one step, then the next step, like then we set up camp, and it allows you to have just more clarity. I think overall and I think it was very much a pleasant surprise how well we all, you know, drive together, because I didn't know either of you really at all, so just being able to, you know, bond really well. And we worked well together, physically, in terms of our paces, um, mentally, in terms of our mindset and, um, we did have like a lot of questions that we would ask on the trail. I actually brought some questions, um, which helped pass the time, but we really got to know each other um well and talked and reflected on a lot of different things in our lives. So I felt like that was a really nice part of the trip too, that I wasn't necessarily expecting.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was like half therapy, half hiking. Yeah, it was really awesome. We got really deep. Steph brought some really good breakout questions, so that was good. Yeah, I think just like we got along so well, it was so fun yeah.
Speaker 1:For me hiking through the trail. I knew it was going to be hard. I was training physically for it because, unlike the two of you who are marathon runners, I was probably the least physically fit pre-hike. I wanted to build endurance that I felt like I was lacking physical endurance. I did feel pretty confident in my mental like mindset. I feel like I have a pretty good mindset and attitude towards hard things, but I wanted to get physically in shape and I feel like I'm so thankful that I did because it really did help the endurance. I probably would have done more like stair masters even and probably would have trained even more to like be even more prepared, but I feel like it was enough to enough physical training that I did leading up to it.
Speaker 1:We are capable to do hard things more than we give ourselves credit to, because I did expect it to be hard but it actually wasn't as hard as I mentally prepared myself for, if that makes sense. Yeah, and I think the other thing too is we talked about on the trail. It's like how great we were for having the privilege, the health, the ability to do this, because there was a sense of like gratitude on the trail, even though things are hard and you may be blisters and a rash and bruises on our shoulders or packs and a lot of you guys would put even like extra cushions, little pads under your buckles of your backpacks. But with all the pain and all that kind of discomfort and not having enough water and all of that, we felt a really great sense of gratitude for being in the trail.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think the mindset, like you know, when you have a hard race or something, you know that mindset, so I had that mindset towards it. But also, yeah, just that I, we get to do this, like we are so blessed, we get to put ourself in this hard situation and enjoy each present moment while we're hiking on the trail, and so, yeah, just a lot of gratitude. It was awesome.
Speaker 3:I think also, I'll add that, um, you know, knowing that my partner, my husband, was able to hold the fort down at home and I didn't have stress about that, where I think, as moms, sometimes you feel like you carry the weight of the world or the weight of your family on your shoulders, and I just was super grateful that not only my husband was able to hold things down but he was supportive of me going. And I have two sons, so I think it's important for them to see that like, hey, my mom can do hard things, my mom can take on a challenge like this. Sometimes in, I think, in our lives, kids see their dads more as like the strong one or who does challenging, physically challenging things. So it was important for me to have my kids see that that was something that I could do and I could conquer A hundred percent agree.
Speaker 2:Shout out to the husbands, they were amazing.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, I agree with everything that Steph said. Okay, so we have some listener questions from listeners. This stuff said Okay, so we have some listener questions from listeners. Did anyone have their period and, if so, how?
Speaker 3:was it? Well, that would be me. Yes, I had it every single day that we were out there. Um, it definitely was an added um difficult thing to manage, but I tried to keep a good mindset about it. I use the Diva Cup to minimize like needing paper products to bring along and to minimize trash, so I didn't really have pain or discomfort or anything. It was more or less just like the inconvenience of, like you know, you don't really water is cherished. You don't want to waste water to wash your hands and things. So if I had to do it all over again, I would probably continue and use the Diva Cup, but I got through it. It was not ideal, but it was. I managed it.
Speaker 2:She did amazing because it was really uncomfortable. That added weight of the backpack too is just like hard on your pelvis, so like that was a lot of discomfort for her and, yeah, that was one of the things we were really hoping no one would have to deal with. But she was a rock star.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I don't know that I would have handled it as well as Steph. Honestly, just because A this is my first hiking experience, experience being new at it and having that added discomfort and needing to do that, and it's challenging, especially when you don't have like privacy Exactly.
Speaker 3:I did get caught on the trail managing my products Really, it was a section where it was like a ridge, so you couldn't kind of dart out into the woods for privacy and definitely was surprised by it. I was surprised and I'm sure they were surprised, so all modesty goes out the window in that regard.
Speaker 1:Oh man, yeah, I was like Steph is like I think I just want to fall through a hole right now. I'm like Steph, give me your hat. They can think it's me.
Speaker 2:Like you know, I had to keep reminding Steph they will never, never see you again, it's okay.
Speaker 1:I know that is crazy stuff right there. Um, how did you guys stay positive when things get hard? Is another question from listeners.
Speaker 3:Wow, yeah, definitely laughing. Some dance parties, some singing. Um, speca did a good job. She started our first dance party I think it was day two at the top of a vista and that definitely like just shook out. You know, it just was a good like framing of the situation and I think it kind of kept us positive. Yeah, what was Ooh look at that woman.
Speaker 2:A song that no one in the world has heard. We were like no, we do not know that song, so we had to find it and put it on and dance to it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it just came like, it came to mind. I've never listened to that song all the way through. I just heard a chorus somewhere somehow and it like popped into my head Ooh, look at that woman. And whatever that song is, I don't even know who sings it, but, um, I was like this is the song, guys. And they're like what are you talking about? So I put it on, we danced to it and, um, it was great. And then we had the halfway there we did some singing with our poles and that was so much fun. Yeah, I think we had a great energy in the trip. It was just, um, I think maybe it was in day two or three, at the very end, where we had to like mentally talk to ourselves to get through the last couple of miles.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think it might've been day two, cause I feel like we started really strong, like the first two days. I think we did over 12 miles both days, which, like talking to other hikers, you typically start with like lower mileage and then work your way up as your body adjusts to the pack, so I think it was just a lot. That day too, it was like whoa, we're really tired.
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure. So the other question is what kept you going, which is kind of similar to the first. Yeah, was there anything that you felt like kept you going?
Speaker 3:Snacks, the thought of a burger at the end.
Speaker 1:Yes, it was like the last couple of miles. You were like I want a juicy hot burger, something greasy, fat, juicy burger.
Speaker 3:I think, too, day to day it was just like I want to lay flat like that I like.
Speaker 2:Being able to take the pack off and stretch like laying flat was definitely motivating yeah, there's a little rest too, like just let's get through an hour and then we'll take. You know, we would take like a 10 minute break and like that kept you going because you're like, oh, only an hour and then I can sit down for a minute. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, for sure. Okay, if you could have prepared yourself better now, knowing what you know, what would you do differently?
Speaker 2:I would pack lighter. I would definitely, yeah, pack a little bit lighter.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I think I would pack lighter, bring more electrolytes and I think maybe, in terms of like physical preparation, maybe have done a little bit more like lifting more like like lifting.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think for me I would have probably done a little more like stairmasters and hiked more with a weighted vest up and down the hills which I have a hill not too far from here but I do feel like the preparation that I did was sufficient enough for the hike. Um, I don't think that, I don't know that it would make that much of a difference, but I think packing lighter for sure, like just figuring out ways how know that it would have made that much of a difference. But I think packing lighter for sure, like just figuring out ways how to pack lighter, would have been good, which we talked about if we took some of the fuel off, some of the winter clothes, that would have helped. What are things that you do different in life since the hike?
Speaker 1:Is there anything that kind of shifted? Maybe your mindset or anything else? I'll just start from me. Maybe your mindset or anything else. I'll just start from me. I just wanted to eat so much food after the hike and drink so much liquid because it was like your body's in calorie deficit If I gained like 10 pounds in the first like day or two. That's why Because we were usually slightly hungry and definitely thirsty.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think our metabolisms were faster, because I've been really hungry all week since we got back too.
Speaker 3:I think I just I don't know that I'm doing anything different, but I just think about it a lot Like I think about it, you know, and definitely feel that pull to get back out there. So maybe whether that means planning something actively, like with my family to go, or whatever, but I just, anytime I do get on the trail, I just feel even more so pulled to get back out there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I feel like I didn't know what that was Like when people would say, like the trail is calling, but like you feel that I feel like you miss it. You know, I do feel like, oh, I kind of miss waking up and getting on the trail and like who knows who we'll meet today and what kind of conversations we'll have. So like, yeah, you just miss it and it was really special and yeah, I want to do it again.
Speaker 1:For sure, yeah, I think people did ask like, would you do it again? And it's like, yeah, in the heartbeat, like, and it's like, yeah, in the heartbeat, like it was hard and there's parts that were super challenging, but all in all, we do want to do it again. Also, you guys probably felt this too. But one thing that was interesting was a the gratitude that you feel for simple pleasures in life. That is a luxury, like having access to clean water, which was the perfect fundraiser to have, um, you know, having showers, of a comfortable bed, which for me, my sleeping situation wasn't that uncomfortable because I had that mat but and just like having hot coffee in the morning that actually tastes good. It's not like instant coffee with instant creamer or whatever.
Speaker 1:So those kind of things just made me really appreciate life and I feel like just trying to be more present in the moment, because you did get to be a lot more present on the trail, versus here being pulled in all the different directions, whether it's work and family or things on your to-do list. So that was, I feel like, definitely a sense of gratitude for life, for my health, for just the little things. I think you appreciate the little things because you take away all the conveniences when you're on the trail and the comforts that you appreciated at like a different level, for sure. Okay, and then what is the most valuable equipment or product on the hike?
Speaker 3:Wow, that's a good question.
Speaker 1:Yeah. I think my poles were huge and good shoes are important. Oh yeah, my poles were huge and good shoes are important.
Speaker 3:Oh yeah, I think too. Having a pack that fits you well, that's the right size for you definitely helps distribute your weight better. I would say that, and also like the Jetboil. Shout out to Jetboil. That's like the little stove and it boils water under a minute and it's super lightweight.
Speaker 1:So definitely love the Jetboil. We all had Osprey bags and we found that majority of hikers we've met probably 90% I would say were Osprey. And then shoes we all have Hoka shoes. Now we're not sponsored by any of these people, but we all had Hoka shoes. I had like the higher boot ones and I did test them. They had good ratings. You try the same shoes and they gave you blisters, right.
Speaker 2:So I had the same boots. I was the one that told Sveka oh, we got to get these boots, like they get such good reviews. And I tried them for a few weeks and I kept getting like bad blisters. I was another pair of boots. So I just wore my Hoka Speedgoat trail running shoes and they were amazing and I actually saw through hikers in the same shoe. So yeah, yeah, they work for hiking. And my chiropractor also told me just wear your trail shoes.
Speaker 3:So yeah, and I had Hoka Speedgoat, like the mid, mid size um, and I've had them for a while and the thing I love about them is how thick the sole is, so you can't really feel any of like the rocks.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Was there any revelations you had on the trail or anything that like your reflection points that were meaningful?
Speaker 2:to you. Yeah, we kind of talked about this on the trail, but we can share it again. But the one time we were walking alone and it just hit me how grateful I was for the trail but we can share it again but the one time we were walking alone and it just hit me how grateful I was for the trail, I was looking at the blazes, the white marks, their blazes on the trail and I was just like, wow, like somebody made this trail, Like people made this trail for us, for people, and I just felt so grateful. And then I just kind of spiraled into being grateful for all the people that have been trailblazers in my life and have made a trail and just encouraged me. Like, what kind of trails am I blazing in my life for my kids? And you know the people in my sphere. So, yeah, just to keep blazing trails. I just that was one of the big things that I thought of while we were walking and hiking and yeah, For me.
Speaker 3:I think I would say, like I mentioned earlier, that just the clarity of being out there. You know, oftentimes I feel very distracted and I have a hard time concentrating at one thing at a time. I didn't feel that on the trail. I felt very at peace and I think being out there I feel the most like myself. I can tell, like it's really part of who I am, like in my innermost self is being out there, being in nature and experiencing that, and so I like really cherish feeling like 100% like myself.
Speaker 2:The other thing I was thinking of and it kind of is probably why you feel so much like yourself out there is just because, like there's no ego on the trail, like you don't know what's going to happen, you don't know what could take you down, you're having to go into the bathroom and all these weird situations. Like there's no being cool out on the trail. It's just like you in nature, getting it done, doing your miles, setting up camp, making your food, like that's what it is, and yeah, there's something just so peaceful about like being in the moment and doing those things out there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah for sure. For me too is kind of like what you said about blazing trails. For me it was like multi. It was a very reflective time because not only was I doing this hike kind of in honor of my grandmother who walked that distance by just being forced to walk that distance, not of her own choice and being a slave, but also the hike fell on the day of my mother's passing, of April 30th. So that was a day too that I just really reflected a lot and really just thinking about I'm the oldest daughter in my family, so that was a day two that I just really reflected a lot and really just thinking about I'm the oldest daughter in my family.
Speaker 1:So that is kind of like you have the responsibility, the weight of responsibility on you, and for me I often think about the standard that I'm setting for my family and like just wanting to push new limits, set new standards and be an example of what's possible and so really leaning into doing hard things. And I feel like I had an amazing example of my mom and my grandmother who really persevered through some extreme challenges in their lives, who lived in the communist country. They didn't have the freedoms that I have. They didn't have access to the opportunities that I have today.
Speaker 1:So for me, it's a one pillar of appreciation for their sacrifices and another pillar for wanting to honor that and live in a way that is really reflective of all the that's been done for me and before me and before me, and and also feeling the weight of there's people behind me that, you know, blazing this trails for, and so just, and and I'm I'm really grateful for that because you know, I think about everything that they've been through and for me, as a woman like I have so many opportunities I mean we all do in the States.
Speaker 1:It's it's different than, and also, in the time that they lived, they lived in a time where they couldn't have the jobs that they wanted because they, you know, weren't part of the Communist Party, they couldn't have access to education, you know, and they were always watched by the KGB and different things like that. So for me, I definitely have a sense of appreciation and being in that trail made it even more so appreciative and just reflecting on like, wow, I really want to live a life that is aligned with making an impact in the world and, yeah, just being like setting an example.
Speaker 2:Well, you definitely are. And I do want to say like I loved learning about your mom and your grandma on the trip. We did talk about them a lot, especially in the first couple of days, and like I think they're all, they're one of our heroes now too. So that was just awesome to hear about your mom and grandma, definitely. Yeah, thank you.
Speaker 2:Oh, and one more thing that I thought was cool that I heard a thru-hiker say they said, well, it was somebody came to the shelter we were at and there was no room for them. So they basically had to leave because there was no room for them to camp there. And I was like, oh man, that stinks. And like the thru-hiker said, well, everybody has to hike their own trail. And I was like that's such a great quote, like everyone has to hike their own trail. So, like just that reminder, like we all have our own trail in life. Like we got to hike it and it's going to be different than somebody else's, there's going to be ups and downs and we might not fit at the campground, but we just got to keep on going. So, yeah, that was good.
Speaker 1:Yeah, what do you hope our listeners take away from your story?
Speaker 2:I hope that they go out and do something that sounds challenging to them. It doesn't have to be hiking, but like, just do something hard and know that it's going to inspire somebody.
Speaker 3:I can recall so many conversations where I've talked with people about different things whether it's like a marathon or just a 5k or 10k or this hike and people will say, well, I could just could never do that, but I think anybody can really do anything. It's a lot about you know, attitude and motivation, and so I think, yeah, I want people to know like you can do anything and when you do it, you'll take out of it things you didn't even expect to take away from it.
Speaker 1:Yeah for sure. For me it would be that you can do hard things, just like you guys said, basically echoing the same message that we're capable of so much more than we know, and you don't know until you try. So you know, and you don't want to test yourself at a limit. That's impossible. You want to give yourself a challenge. Enough that, it's enough of a challenge. But I would say, try to do hard things, because you never know. And I'm just going to circle back to what were your thoughts before the hike.
Speaker 2:I know that, um, steph, you're more experienced, but Lauren and I had some I was like pumped up until about a week before and then it was like kicking in and that I was going to do this and I got a little nervous. But I don't know, I w I was still excited. I just I had that like I don't know that nervous energy, like I just I had that like I don't know that nervous energy, like I just want to get going, like I want to get this over with.
Speaker 3:For me, I think the only thing I wasn't nervous about the physicality of it, it was more the navigation, the logistics, the you know kind of that part I had I was nervous about like managing, because when you are backpacking you have to be able to like time things. You don't want to carry all of your water all day long, you want to be able to hit water right before you camp and like those little things that I've never been truly in charge of before on a backpacking trip. So that's what I was nervous about.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Steph like took the lead on all of that. So that was, that was nice. I feel like she did feel like she had that responsibility. So I felt kind of bad, but you weren't nervous about not knowing us.
Speaker 3:I'm slightly nervous about that. People kept asking me like so how do you know those girls? And I was like well, I don't. And they're like, okay, and my husband's like, do you think you want to go with people you don't know? And I'm like, yeah, it'll be fine. So I was maybe just a little nervous about that, but not a whole lot, to be honest.
Speaker 1:Well, we did get to kind of practice hike a little bit beforehand, so we got to know each kind of get the vibe of each other. Before I was asked the same thing, like so you don't know stuff at all, I'm like no, and my brother's like so you're. He's like well, you're about to get to know her on a whole new level.
Speaker 2:I mean it just shows how much she loves backpacking to do that. You know her longest backpacking trip with two people? She really doesn't know yeah.
Speaker 1:I think that was yeah, that I felt like we had a good, good energy and good vibe all around. I felt like we had a good energy and good vibe all around. So what is the bravest thing you guys ever done?
Speaker 2:This is a question on the podcast to every listener.
Speaker 3:You got one. I know what mine is and it might not sound brave to other folks out there, but I did a triathlon once and I was terrified of the open water days and days and days of just feeling sick, terrified. But I was able to complete that portion, finish the race and after it was all said and done, my husband's like oh my gosh, you finished six in your age group. And I was like that's great, out of how many? And he said six. So even though I was last in my age group, like that was by far the most mentally challenging thing that I've done.
Speaker 2:So I consider that to be brave. I think it was homeschooling my kids, because you're like, am I going to mess my kids up forever? So I homeschooled all three of my kids for two years and then one of them I homeschooled an extra year for three years and yeah, that was pretty brave. I feel like that was pretty brave and I know there's a lot of mamas out there that do it the whole way through. So, man, kudos to you. But yeah, that was scary and this trip, honestly, was a very brave thing for me to do. Like this was probably one of the bravest things, because I'm not like a backpacker or camper. Never grew up camping with my family, nothing. So this was all new. Didn't even really know how to set up a tent. Now I can do that pretty darn good. And you can hang bear food and I can hang bear food.
Speaker 1:Or, yeah, food from the bears, I guess, yeah, I think for me before, um, we went on the trail because I'm the one that like recruited y'all sort of like you recruited stuff and, um, a lot of people said no, and so, days before the hike, I was like, oh my gosh, what did I get myself into and what did I get everybody else into?
Speaker 1:Because now, like you know, I'm responsible if anything goes wrong, because I initiated the the hike and I think I was just having like some anxiety. Like, at night I'd be like, okay, we're going to sleep in the middle of the woods, you know, and what is it going to be like? And actually the first two nights I would wake up in our bed post the hike and I would hear sounds and my brain is like scanning for what it is and I open my eyes. I'm like, okay, you're in bed, you're safe, there's no like threat outside. But it was just funny because it's like you get so used to being alert and vigilant about what is the noises, what is it. So, yeah, well, is there anything else you guys would love to leave the listeners with before we wrap up?
Speaker 3:listeners with. Before we wrap up, I'll say one thing I definitely noticed out there a lot of the through hikers were like a lot older than what I think the median age is, probably like retirees. There were a few like younger folks but really like a lot of older people out there. So I just felt like that was pretty inspiring and a lot of the people that we talked to said how much that was like a dream of theirs, that they wanted to be able to do that. So I think it just you know, keep dreaming and keep holding onto your dreams and know that that you can do things like all throughout your life. So I felt really inspired by some of the folks that were in their sixties that were out there on the trail.
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure and also fun fact is men lose a lot of weight on the hike and women apparently sometimes even gain weight on the hike, which is interesting. We met a girl who Kara, I believe her name was, who did a through hike as soon as she and her husband got married. They took five to, I think, six months and she said she couldn't fit into any of her jeans because her thigh muscles were so large that, like you get stronger and I do feel so much stronger post-hike, like I feel like lifting things. I also feel like I can do a lot more in the day where it's just like, okay, I have all this energy, I have the, even though my feet are still recovering. Like I tried do a run the other day and I'm like, okay, I'm still kind of limping a bit, but I do feel stronger, yeah, I just hope that people go out and do challenging things.
Speaker 2:It's it feels so good, it feels you feel so proud of yourself. And I mean not in like a cocky way, it's just like, wow, I, I did that.
Speaker 1:That was really hard, like what else can I do? Or yeah, yep, and I'm thankful that Steph didn't get annoyed with her nine o'clock giggles.
Speaker 2:Yes, we, we tended to get very silly around nine o'clock at night. Everything became funny because we were so tired. Yeah, we say if you don't laugh, you'd cry.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, that was the thing I'm like this is we just would laugh at like everything. Well, thank you guys. It's been an honor to hike with you guys. I feel like we couldn't have had a better team because, like you said earlier, everybody had amazing attitudes, great mindsets. I think if you're going to go into a hike, I would say you definitely need to know how to endure hard things. We all felt like if you don't have the right mindset for this, like you will quit, and if you're not, physically at least prepared, you also would quit, because it was hard and your mindset is everything goes beyond your physical limits, because even people we met on the trail, a lot of them were not physically fit, people who look like they work out, they're just out there walking the distance, and some of them would do like a 20 mile average day. So, um, yeah, I think that was a big kind of takeaway too. So, thank you guys.
Speaker 2:Yeah it's our pleasure, thanks.
Speaker 1:Thank you for listening to the Once we Dare podcast. It is an honor to share these encouraging stories with you. If you enjoy the show, I would love for you to tell your friends. Leave us a reviewer rating and subscribe to wherever you listen to podcasts, because this helps others discover the show. You can find me on my website, speckhopoffcom. Thank you.