[at-l] re: Lurker emerges from the shadows

[pmags at yahoo.com (Paul Magnanti)]

First, to quote Jim "welcome to the zoo.". Yes, our
merry little list can have its share of contentious
issues...as well as some good advice from people who
have "walked the walk".

On to your post:


>>So.  Has anyone dealt with the post thru-hike blues
>>in a way that they felt was constructive?

Here is sommething I wrote back in October 2002:

Think that is common(post-trail adjustment) for many
people who finish a long
trail. Feel a drift. Not sure what to do next. The
goal you worked so hard for has been finished. Now
what?  Part of that feeling is physiological. Your
energy level was abusrdly high. The body becomes
addicted to that level. Then, the activity ceases
abruptly. But, the big adjustment is psychological.
Getting used to many people again. Getting used to
living on a schdule that is not set by you. Going from
your "office view" being the mountains to working in a
cubicle again, wondering if you can get the extra
day-off for along weekend.  


>>marathon in October and had a similar letdown and
>>physical breakdown of sorts after that, and I want
>>to make sure that doesn't happen again.


Good luck! :D I think a portion of the post-trail
funkiness is physical. As I mentioned, your energy
level is ABUSRDLY high. Now, those nice endorphins you
had pumping throughout the body are no longer there.
Your body is essentially having DTs. :-)


To minimize the effects, I suggest trying to keep up
your physical activity level as much as possible
post-hike. Post AT hike was just brutal in terms of
the "post-trail" funkiness. (Read the archives of Oct
2003 if you want to know the whole story. :D). Post
PCT, I did much better. Took up running, hiked quite a
bit (as in almost every weekend), became super
involved in my outdoor group.  In short, I replaced
the goal of hiking the PCT with another project and
ways to keep up the activity level.

More than likely, the post-trail funk  will happen
again (sorry to say), but you can minimize it! For
what it is worth, I did my first marathon as well in
September. After the maarthon, suffered a mini-version
of the post-trail funkiness I had with the AT and PCT.
I think any activity that is
a) a major goal you  have dedicated a large chunk of
time to
b) requires much physical exertion
will result in some form of
post-trail/post-run/post-mtn climbing. Try to stay
active, both-physically and mentally! Keep up your
running, go on hikes, put together your AT slide show,
give talks, reflect on your journey via your journal.
Share your thoughts with AT-L. Hikers love to talk
about hiking (despite appearences on this list from
time to time. :) )


By all means, go to the Gathering (www.aldha.org for
more details) in October. Seeing that many people who
shared the same dream you do, well, that is an
emotional high. When they say "Introducing the Class
of 2004" for the first time, you will feel an
electricity in the air. And do give your trail buddies
a call...they will LOVE to hear from you...and it will
make you feel better.
 
Mags


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The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau