Mile 196. Mud and tears.

Today was by far my toughest day out on the trail so far: Constant rain at 5000+ ft elevation turned the trail into an icy river. Every step was a schhhhhhhhhhlop in the thick mud.

What was worse: I started my day in the same wet muddy clothes I wore yesterday - so my body temperature never really caught up.

I even cried. Sliding in the mud onto my back was the last straw. The cry actually did make me feel better to relieve that stress.

Even with the tough conditions, I elected to push myself to hike 18 miles - the furthest I’ve hiked in a day so far. My motivation: Get me the heck out of these Smoky Mountains please!

I am a warrior. I am a warrior. I am a warrior.