It simultaneously develops your body, mind, and spirit.

I’ve been on this trail hundreds of times and yet, there’s still something around every corner that catches my attention. I will never tire of it and continue to do it as long as I’m able to.

I still train for strength and power, but I don’t care about having big legs. I care about having ones that will continue to carry me down new trails for the rest of my life.

Sometimes I put on headphones and listen to a podcast or music. Occasionally, I abandon them and tune into the sounds around me or ideas within me Like today.

Sometimes I like to think about what this land was like before my time. Especially when trails go next to rivers and streams. There likely was a trail here long ago. Who knows how many of our ancestors traveled the same path? It makes me feel connected to them and think about the great circle of life. We’re all different, but yet still somewhat the same.

I don’t believe in multitasking. Most of the time, you’re just quickly switching between tasks. But out here you can get many things done. Right now I’m getting exercise while taking moments to reflect and meditate. I’m recording the thoughts that come through my head and writing this post. Some of the time I’m doing a breathwork practice.

At some point, hiking will teach you the difference between hurt and injured. Little pains come up along the way. You constantly make the decision to turn back or keep going. This develops willpower and perseverance that carry over to other areas of your life. It Turns you into an unstoppable force.

Some of the time, I even take off my glasses and let my eyes breathe. Splatter vision is an important part of being out in nature, anyway. You shouldn’t focus on the one thing right in front of you. Rather, take in your entire surroundings at once. Our eyes aren’t designed to spend hours focusing on a fixed spot every day. This allows your eyes and entire body to relax.

This is also why I got hooked on Survivorman When it first came out. And even the shows that followed until they got too ridiculous. I don’t expect to have to survive in weird, extreme climates. But I enjoy the idea of getting out in these places and exploring. Even watching him do it was entertaining.

I do carry a small kit with me every time I go into the woods. There aren’t many extreme weather conditions here. I don’t expect to use any of it other than medical supplies. Most likely not even for me, but for someone else on the trail who didn’t feel the need to bring anything. In another post, I’ll go over what’s in there if there is interest.

Some helpful tips. To prevent poison Oak rashes, carry some baby wipes in the truck to wipe down your legs before you get in. When you get home, scrub exposed skin thoroughly with a washcloth. You have 12 hours to find those tics before most of the nasty diseases get you.

Carry at least one trekking pole. I’ve twisted an ankle or knee more than once and limped back to the truck with darkness fast approaching. It is also very useful for spider web sections on the trail.

Switch up your gait pattern. You don’t have to be a trail runner. But a slow jog and a walk are two distinct movement patterns that stress you in different ways. Cycling between them allows parts of your body to rest and recover.

That’s all for now. If you liked this, subscribe for more and visit the link in my bio to sign up for my newsletter. See you on the trail