**Facebook Post 092717 at 10:21AM**
The Body Beautiful
Don’t ask me why, but for some reason I have finally put two and two together and realized that my body will fight back when I over do it. Back in Florida, if you read my posts often you may remember this, I had gone out on a particularly hot day, and attempted to complete a particularly high amount of miles. My brain said yes, but my body said, “Oh, hell no!”
I ended up with this insane heat rash, or what I assumed was heat rash, all over my legs. The weird thing was though, in the past, the only places I had ever gotten heat rash were on parts of my body that had been covered with clothing during whatever heat I was in. So, this was sort of a new development. I had never gotten heat rash on exposed skin. It was so bad, it prompted my friend Kelly to call me and beg me to see a doctor and get myself checked for Lyme. (Sorry Kelly. I promise I will do that right when I get back.)
Anyway, over a couple days and with some showers and love, it went away on its own and I forgot all about it.
Fast forward… I’m out on the trail. I have just entered Vermont. Thinking the terrain would be calming down and getting easier, I was unprepared for the intense heat, humidity, and the size of the mountains. Northern Vermont can look a lot like New Hampshire, but without the 8 million rocks everywhere in which you practically need a degree in Parkour to get over.
Let’s just say, I overdid it that day. I got up early, kicked butt all day, and managed to keep going well past dark. That night in my tent I noticed my legs. They were covered in that same bizarre, over the top, heat rash I had had in Florida. This time, because of a lack of, I don’t know, everything, I ended up washing my legs off with water and some handi-wipes, then using hydrocortisone. This actually worked. Then it got me to thinking. Out here it seems like everything is exaggerated. My eyes get puffy. My nose and ears bleed. I constantly have something going on somewhere on my body at all times. Maybe this heat rash is only part heat rash, but maybe it’s also allergy. Would not surprise me.
I made the decision that no matter how many miles I want to do, or how long I want to walk, I’m going to start giving my body a break when it needs it. Since I have been doing this, I haven’t gotten the rash as bad at all. Had a very small amount of it on my upper thighs last night, but it seems like if I take just a little extra time to recharge, and not overdo it, then I clean my legs and body best I can before bed, I’m in the clear. So far. But seriously, I think it’s my body’s response to extreme stress, then it kicks into gear with rashes and allergies, (even my saliva glands were inflamed recently) and whatnot. I have to listen to the bod, or the bod will bite back.
I also think I may be a bit sensitive to my bug spray, (I’m using it sparingly now.) or I could have brushed against some sort of foliage, etc.. Either way, if I’m not under stress, this stuff doesn’t seem to have any effect on me, but when I am, holy hell.
Also, I’m just one of those people that never drinks a lot of fluids. I need to pay more attention to that, and flush my system more. Being I’m basically working out all day, every day, and it’s been unusually hot for this area, it wouldn’t hurt to be more conscious of my fluid intake.
I have also taken to switching out my socks more often, like every two hours. Making sure I stretch before heading out in the morning is another big one, and breathing. Basically hiking in general is a meditation of sorts, but breathing is a huge part of mediation, and I’m pretty sure just giving myself three deep, big breaths every now and then couldn’t hurt. Get those alpha waves moving in my brain. Might help me with some better decision making as well. Can’t hurt.
*** Trick Given To Me By Mount Rogers Outfitters in Damascus, VA, Last Year***
Wash exposed skin the best you can, at least rinse, then use Gold Bond everywhere you rinsed/washed. This helps the skin remain clean feeling at night when you sleep, as opposed to feeling gross and sticky, and sweaty. Works like a charm! (Especially legs and feet)
*** Trick From “Captain” (aka Ryan Wettlin) Also Given To Me Last Year***
Eat a 24 hour allergy pill every day, whether you need it or not. Keeps allergic reactions at bay. (Contact Dermatitis, Airborne Allergies, Bug Bites)
11:25AM Start Day 42 (092717)
•11:25AM (Estimate) South Adler Brook (Mile 561.1)
•3:00PM Goddard Shelter (569.1)
•6:15PM Hell Hollow Brook (Sleep)
(Mile 576.0)
•6:00AM Wake up, pack
•7:45AM On trail
•11:25AM (Estimate) Harmon Hill
(Mile 581.0)
11:25AM End Of Day 42
APPROX 19.9 Miles
