Go on a three-day backpacking trip.

“As I hiked, I became increasingly aware of my body. My back and shoulders were strained from the weight of my pack. My hips were bruised and chafed from the hip belt. My legs felt weak, as if they could collapse beneath me, weary from carrying a 35-pound pack up and over mountains. I was so uncomfortable that I was walking at a pace of less than a mile per hour. It took me ten hours but I managed to hike to Gooch Mountain Shelter. It was a long and arduous 7.6 mile trek to get there. At camp, I struggled to set up my tent. Fatigued from hiking and operating on a severe calorie deficit, I could barely function. I poured water over my sweat-soaked body, hung my clothes out to dry, ate my dinner before it was done steeping, and passed out.”

“The miles and hours seemed to drag by and although I kept reminding myself to soak up every second and enjoy the hike, my feet wouldn’t let me. More than anything I was worried that with each passing moment I was one step closer to a stress fracture. I tried to tread lightly and at the same time I reminded myself not to change how I stepped down even if it hurt to walk normally. By the time I reached the final ascent of Mount Sunapee I was no longer excited about finishing my first thru-hike/backpacking trip, I was terrified that I had broken my foot. Those final two miles down Mount Sunapee after finishing the MSG were slow going. The trail was a veritable stream punctuated by massive blowdowns. I finally emerged from the woods and climbed into the passenger seat of my husband’s truck, relieved to be off my poor feet. All I could think about was how amazing that fabric-covered bucket seat felt, and how grateful I was to be sitting.”