Today's Stats:
Distance: 31.21 km
Elevation Gain: 1090m
Weather: 0-20 deg and sunny
Duration: 6h 34 min
Completely misc thoughts from after Day 1 of the Dufferin Hills End-to-End:
I wasn't sure how so many people hiking all at the same time would work, at at first definitely it was a single-file situation (helped that I got of the bus quickly!), but before too long, we were all spread out. People in the same basic pace would leap frog throughout, they'd pass me, then I'd pass them, rinse and repeat. So had lots of time when it was lovely and quiet and I had the world to myself, and just occasionally enough people that I never felt like I was completely alone in the adventure. It was a lovely balance and I was surprised how well it worked out.
Footing was comparatively easy but the hills. Omg the hills were deadly. They just didn't end. You assume "around that next turn" but no. Never.
The hike started at 0 deg and ended at 20 deg. Tomorrow’s forecast is the same. I don’t have shorts but I do have a tshirt so that’ll prob be the option and I suck up the cold for the first few km. Or other long sleeve but light for sure. The jacket can stay in the car!
I was targeting 3:30-4 finish, but had in mind 4:30 as a potential sad reality. Got back at 3:22 (according to the checkin guy writing it down) so pretty happy about that, esp as my last 3 kms were extremely slow.
I expected to be tired and sore this eve, and I was but maybe not as bad as I expected. Except I was also violently ill about an hour or two after getting back. That was not expected and not enjoyable. No idea what caused it. Eventually begged a gravol off the hostess (pharmacies were all closed by then according to Google) which I’m not going to take till bedtime cause it’ll have the added advantage of knocking me out ;). Had half a muffin and some Gatorade for dinner a bit ago. Still don’t feel well per se, but it’s staying down. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.
FB Live Feed Posts compiled:
May 10, 15:39:
Made it! Longest hike w the most hills by far.
They ring a bell when you get back to the parking lot - also provide food, water, and t shirt (that last part made me laugh)
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May 10, 15:21:
I have never been so happy to see an almost camouflaged church in the distance as I am rn. Past the 30km point and almost there.
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May 10, 14:49:
Roughly 2k from the church. Just had a lovely chat w another couple who also paused here. Quick refuel and water. Rumour has it in the first 1/3 but we’ll see. Def not a race but still good to know the sweepers aren’t on my heels.
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May 10, 14:00:
So you know the 80s song that was used for the Swiffer commercial, roughly 'one way, then another' is going through my head with "one step, than another"... Over and over and over again. Was mildly amusing for a few steps, but kinda needs to stop ;-P (edited after to add: song is Whip It - and is now stuck in my head again)
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May 10, 13:24:
All I can hear is the birds - lots of birds. I know there's nobody else anywhere nearby when...
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May 10, 13:14:
At the last checkpoint - people are much farther apart now - I’m loving it cause I get long periods of solitude with brief company.
Each checkpoint has fruit, water, and homemade goodies. All trails tells me 23.5km in.
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May 10, 12:40:
You know it’s a place where people miss the turn when there’s a hand written sign like this. Bruce Trail app IS good for figuring out where you are and which way to turn, just not for tracking where you've been. Not as necessary today with so many people out, but once in a while.
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May 10, 12:19:
I always love these stiles but somehow slightly less after 20k;). Plus side - 20k and still going!
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May 10, 11:56:
XC anyone? Those who know…
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May 10, 11:48:
2nd checkpoint was just after this point. Struggled on that hill. Wow. But everything else is good. Black flies are motivational enough to keep you moving but not fatal!
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May 10, 10:59:
Back in the trees - my current plan is lunch and break at next checkpoint which I think is 20k
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May 10, 10:45:
On the road again…. I think about 13k. Yet to see a car…
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May 10, 10:13:
This part of the trail reminds me of XC days - except no jumps and only one colour of flag. The farmers who allow access to their fields are awesome!
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May 10, 10:01:
At first checkpoint - cookies, water, oranges and bananas, as well as wellness check. Super organized!
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May 10, 9:58 am:
9ish k in. On a road section but yet to see a single car. This guy is guarding the path.
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May 10, 8:30am:
So Bruce Trail app is not up to the challenge, but AllTrails and my watch are along for the ride.
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May 10, 8:01am:
“Today’s hike is miserable. Beautiful, but miserable. Good luck.” <— hike lead 
. I feel like hiking humour is similar to xc humour
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May 10, 7:59am:
This church is where it all begins, and hopefully finishes! Buses pick us up here and drive us to the start.
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May 10, 7:56am:
It’s official! For today I’m #145. Age range is significant. Everybody I’ve spoken to is extremely friendly. About 120 people today.
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May 10, 6:42 am:
The adventure begins! 30km today and 25 more tomorrow - that’s the goal anyways - on about 3h of good sleep and 2h of iffy sleep . Wide awake now and would love to leave but bus isn’t for more than an hour. I see mid afternoon potentially being a challenge 
. Chilly out (“feels like -1”) but forecast for the day is ideal. Do wish I’d brought gloves but at least I have pockets . Charging the gadgets - we’ll see what makes it through the day.
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May 9, 21:59 pm:
Lovely view out my window because I’m in the middle of nowhere so that I can go hiking tomorrow.
This would be awesome except it’s a slightly insane hiking excursion, unfortunately timed right after the last acro class, so most of my body hurts before I’m even starting out. Tomorrow’s hike is scheduled to be about 30k?!?! Which is nothing compared to a marathon - and they run! - but a lot compared to the fact at about 15k my hips usually start screaming at me. Booo. And
then followed by another 25k on Sunday. Supposed to be perfect weather though so fingers crossed!
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