Month: August 2017

Last night my friend Kelly called me with some very real concerns she had about my heat rash from Tuesday. She encouraged me to go see a doctor friend of hers. She didn’t like the look of my pictures, and wanted to just remind me of the risk of Lyme Disease. Now, I’m pretty sure the rash was heat rash because it went away almost by the next day with the help of a cold shower and some Gold Bond, and there was zero patterning to it.
Plus, I’m generally healthy, BUT I have noticed a distinct difference in my energy level from last year to this year.

I assumed it was just me getting a little older and a little slower, plus my eating habits in order to pack on the pounds had had me chewing on less than healthy items from time to time. So, I figured, once on trail, my mind clear, once I’m not trying to balance my social life, with my work life, with my training, with my art and music and writing pursuits, etc…. I’d be back on track and hitting it hard.

This year though, I have been very tired and fatigued to say the least. It’s been more difficult than ever to stay on track. Going to bed early and getting up early sometimes seems impossible. And some nights, I just don’t sleep well. It is what it is. Life is chaotic and I’m no spring chicken.

To be honest, it has actually crossed my mind to go get a check up and test for Lyme since I’m constantly outdoors, but I’m stubborn. Plus, I’m not a fan of health care. Pretty much the only doctor I see is my gynocologist. I guess one is better than none. So, sorry Kelly, but I will probably not find time to get in to see the doctor and test for Lyme before I leave. I only have about a week left to finish prep, and my time is precious right now. Not that my health isn’t as well, but… I promise I will start going once a year and have that checked as soon as I get back.

On a brighter note, I’m out walking the bridge again this morning. The weather is perfect, but as usual it’s pretty hot too. I can’t stay out here too long though, since I managed to lock myself out of my apartment when I left. Just as I was shutting the door behind me I realized my keys were on my drafting table. Good job Cindy-jo. This is a testament to how tired I was when leaving this morning. But I have to admit I like to lock myself out at least once a year. Ugh. Good thing my neighbors rock and the condo manager has a spare and lives in the complex. Thanks Mick and Doug!!! Otherwise I’d be seriously whining right now, but nobody needs to see or hear that. Truly.

Gear check in. I finally got my new compass and bear bell. Posted that on Facebook the other day. Also, I ordered another pair of my Oboz Women’s Sawtooth Low hiking shoes, and some Leukotape. I like the sports tape I use now, but the Leukotape has been mentioned a bunch of times in videos I’ve been watching online recently. The only thing is in the more medical videos they mention a solution that preps the effectiveness of the tape’s adhesion. Somehow you use that before putting it on the foot. Not sure I’m going to go that far, but I will test it out without it and see what I think. If I have to overnight the solution, I will, but I’m guessing it’s not totally necessary since many of the hiking videos only mention the tape, not the prep solution in addition. Ah, the many last minute gear choices and issues! I’m running out of time for such nonsense. Time for the trail already!

it’s another beautiful day people. Get out there and hike! Or bike. Or whatever it is you do!

I learn new stuff every day… So, here I am thinking for the longest time there is only an “overall” world record for self-supported FKT hiking of the Appalachian Trail, and this morning I’m watching a video by ‘Darwin onthetrail’ and he mentions his friend Dan “Knots” Binde winning the overall world record just recently. So, of course I had to check it out. Although it’s not verified as of this moment, he literally just beat it in late July, it’s true! And I learned after checking in with the Fastest Known Time pro board, that there is a women’s and men’s category as well. So, Heather “Anish” Anderson is still the woman to beat (54 days, 7 hours, 58 minutes) although Dan, once verified, would be the overall winner. Congrats to Dan BTW, because that is one SOB of a feat to beat!!!! Amazing time of 53 days, 22 hours, 57 minutes! All I can say is ” Oh holy hell that will be hard to beat!”

Lift off for myself in only a couple weeks!

Tuesday I had this brilliant idea I might try putting in some extra miles just to see how I felt. The plan was to start walking at 4AM from my place in downtown Fort Myers to North Cape, take a break, then walk back. By the time I got home, it would be entering afternoon. The sun would be close to its highest position. I’d skip a few hours, do some errands and prep, and around 4PM I would repeat the maneuver. By following my intended path, I would cover 48 miles in one day.

Everything was going good. I got on the road in time, and got into North Cape as planned. I took a break, then got back on the road. For some odd reason I decided at the last minute to change my plans and head to the Yucca Pan Wildlife Management Area instead of going home. I’m guessing the allure of walking under canopy was calling. Since by the time I was turning back from Cape the sun was already beating down on me. So, I changed direction and went still north.

When I got to Yucca Pan, I was a bit unhappy to find my plans to have the trees as shade were not going to happen. From where I was entering everything was under water. I’m not talking puddles here, I’m talking swamp.  No possible way to find a dry path. So, I turned back and decided I would do a large loop getting myself back to Fort Myers through Cape Coral. I realized the sun was pretty hot by this point and thought I’d escape the rising heat by periodically ducking into convenience stores here and there, along the way. Yeah.

By the time I got myself back into Cape the sun was so hot I was beginning to get a headache. I found a Dollar General and went in buying several Gatorades and some snacks. Needless to say, whether it was my lovely body odor or the fact I was carrying a giant bag on my back, I was getting some strange looks while I waited in the checkout line.

To help spare other patrons and the staff of my stench I went back outside and sat under the awning in front of the store. I proceeded to drink up all the Gatorade and inhale the snacks I just purchased. Clouds were rolling by one at a time, not even close to the 85% rain predicted by my radar app, but hopes were high rain would come shortly and save the day. So, I waited. Rain never came.

Eventually I decided to push on. I figured I’d head west and hit DelPrado, and find another shop to duck into. Again, using my infinite wisdom, (sarcasm) I changed my mind and didn’t go into my intended location where I was to duck out of the sun. Mostly because by this time I could smell myself coming and going. I wanted to spare Joe Public from the atrocity. Call it a public service. Instead I made it almost to DelPrado and Pine Island and sat under a tree instead. A tiny spot of shade in an otherwise treeless town.

I stripped my shoes and socks off, downed some water and laid out on top of my rain poncho, looking toward the sky praying for this rain that was so nonexistant. I quickly realized that at this point my pounding headache I had acquired earlier now had a sidekick, nausea. I looked down at my legs which were becoming a bit itchy and noticed I had developed heat rash all over them, especially at the sock line. This is the first and only time I have ever developed a heat rash on open skin, I was wearing shorts. Typically, if I get a heat rash, it’s because I had pants on and my skin wasn’t able to breathe properly. Go Cindy-jo! Obviously, this was turning into a nightmare urban hiking trip quick. By this point I finally said enough is enough. I called for backup and got picked up. I’m pretty sure I was cruising for heat stroke. The headache lasted all night, and thank God for cold showers and Gold Bond. The rash was 90% gone by the next day.

The lesson here? Stick to your plan. Avoid the temptation to switch gears midway through a plan. When you don’t stick to the plan, it opens up opportunity for dumb stuff to go wrong. Also, don’t hike in the mid afternoon SW Florid sun. It could potentially kill you. To be honest, I haven’t really felt myself since. Almost like I had to recover from sun exposure. Luckily I was wearing sunscreen and a hat.

On the bright side, “Ha!”, I also tried taping my feet for the first time ever. Before leaving for the day, and after watching several YouTube videos on the subject, I ended up taping my left foot, just to see what would happen. Taping rocks! My left foot which normally always gets irritated at the baby toe, ball of the foot and heel had no issues with blistering or hot spots what so ever. My right foot wasn’t so lucky. Now my right foot wasn’t a bloody blistered mess or anything, but I did receive a blister on the bottom of the right baby toe and a slight hot spot on the ball, but I do favor my left foot. So, that tends to be the one that gets more shredded anyway, which it didn’t thanks to the tape. So, I’m going to further explore this option for the trail.

A couple days later, my friend Greg shows up at my work to hang out for a short bit while I cut hair. He ends up looking up the heat index from Tuesday… 105. Ugh.

 

(Posted today on the fastestknowntime.proboards.com)

Hello. My name is Cindy-jo Dietz. I hail from SW Florida, and I am on the FKT pro board to officially state my intention to set a new FKT for self-supported hike on the Appalachian Trail beginning this mid-August, 2017, hopefully completing my trek the following October.

This is actually my second attempt to break the record, and to tell you the truth, I got schooled last year. To spite 18 years of section hiking the Appalachian Trail, at the time I wasn’t as familiar as I am now with the effort it would take to complete such a task, or how to go about properly announcing my intention. Last year I wrote a short blurb on my profile within the FKT site, and primarily recorded the events using Facebook. Since then, I have familiarized myself more with FKT verification and suggested rules, and Heather “Anish” Anderson’s hike, which further sets the latest protocol as to how to properly go about setting the self-supported FKT on the AT.

I have an immense respect for Heather “Anish” Anderson’s record of 54 days, 7 hours, 48 minutes, and must say her time will obviously be quite difficult to surpass. In late April of this year, as per the protocol of FKT, I did contact Heather and let her know of my intentions. She bid me “Good Luck.” I’m going to need it.

Since my first “unofficial” attempt, I have completed a vast amount of more research. I purchased all new gear, reducing my pack weight almost in half. I changed the time of year I decided to attempt the record, from June to August, hopefully helping me to avoid the immense amounts of rain an heat I experienced last year. I will also be traveling south from Maine (2017), instead of heading north from Georgia (2016). Plus, I altered many of the little decisions that held me back in order to facilitate better results when it comes to time and efficiency. I am hoping these efforts and dedication to training, will enhance the miles per day I am able to complete. If I do somehow pull of this great feat, it will be after two years of dedication to learning the art of a true thru-hike and putting into practice that knowledge.

In keeping with Heather “Anish” Anderson’s announced intention (and I’m sure, many of the record holders before her) and the suggested rules stated by FKT, I repeat the rules I intend to live by during the time I am attempting to complete this FKT self-supported record:

1.) At no time will I arrange for or accept pre-planned outside support. The only time where I will accept help will be through random acts of kindness and true “Trail Magic”.

2.) I will carry all of my own gear and supplies. I will not “slackpack” or go “muling”.

3.) I will walk into and out of resupply locations where I will purchase food and/or collect supply boxes that I have sent to myself. When I leave the trail for resupply purposes, I will rejoin the trail at the same location I left, leaving a continuous line of footprints the entire distance.

4.) I will never accept a ride in a vehicle for any reason.

5.) I will follow the Appalachian Trail and official relocations only, no blue blaze or alternate routes.

6.) I will respect the wilderness landscape, the lives that dwell therein, other trail users, and the generations of users that will follow by practicing Leave No Trace Ethics.

7.) I will provide a way for the public to follow my progress at facebook.com/cindyjo.dietz. The posts are an intended way to document my progress only. In NO WAY shall they be an invitation for anyone to help me, find or join me or otherwise take away from the nature of the journey as a thru-hiker.

8.) I will carry a SPOT beacon for safety and to help document my progress. The information will not be made available to the public in real time.

I am truly excited to try to attempt to once again complete the over 2,189 miles of the Appalachian Trail in record time, believing that with effort and determination I will make those that came before me proud. The possibility of lowering this record would be an incredible honor.

Happy Trails!
– Cindy-jo “Sadego” Dietz