The map is not the terrain

"why don't they describe it in the brochure? because its mostly pain" ~Everest movie 2015

Didnt matter how much I researched about the West Coast Trail I was not prepared. Its everything and nothing I expected. Its hard. Its amazing. It hurts. It rewards. Reading and preparing is essential to avoiding obvious mishaps but once you hit the trails be prepared that you dont know how its going to feel (both physically and emotionally) As an athlete in my imagination I glide through it, look cool and feel great. Me in reality: sweaty, tired. I was happy, sad, scared, bored, inspired, panicky, angry and just tired.
 Why do it? I dont know, but I felt better there than I have in years, even if i was exhausted and a little cold. What started as a dream to complete ended up inspiring me to so much more. What I thought would be the trip of a lifetime instead has inspired a life of trips. I dont want this to be THE thing i did, just a thing I did. For now it stands as the hardest longest. Now to break that record.