From Trail Running to Thru-Hiking: A Midlife Pivot

Stumbled Upon Something Big

So, a few weeks ago, I was just mindlessly scrolling through YouTube when a video about the Pacific Crest Trail popped up. At first, I was like, “The what?” Turns out, the PCT is this insane trail that runs from the Mexican border all the way to Canada, cutting through some of the most beautiful national parks and forests on the West Coast of the U.S. Who knew, right? I mean, I’ve always liked going for walks around where I live, but I never knew something this epic even existed.

Of course, that one video led me down a rabbit hole. Suddenly, I’m learning about all these other crazy-long treks around the world, and before I know it, I’m hooked. See, my whole life, I’ve been into sports—football (soccer), cycling, mountain biking, and more recently, trail running. I’m competitive as hell and have always measured my personal value by how I perform in sports. But lately, since I decided to hang up my football boots, I’ve been searching for something new. Something that’ll keep me active, give me a sense of adventure, and, more importantly, keep me healthy as I get older.

For a while, I thought trail running was it. I live in a gorgeous part of Australia with state and national parks all around me, so it was easy to dive into it. I even ran my first half-marathon trail race, and let me tell you, that day was one of the best of my life. I was convinced this was what I’d be doing for the next 30 years, traveling the world to take part in trail races and living my best life.

But then, bam—life had other plans. About two years into my running journey, I tore the meniscus in both knees. Training became a nightmare. I had to make the tough call to back off before I wrecked my knees for good. I didn’t want to end up needing a walking stick in a few years, which would completely defeat the purpose of all this in the first place. And yeah, I’m competitive to a fault, so I knew I’d push myself too hard if I kept going. That’s probably why my knees gave out in the first place, honestly.

So, I’ve been on the hunt for something that gives me that same buzz, and I think—no, I know—YouTube has pointed me in the right direction. The idea of hiking through breathtaking wilderness, camping out, being self-sufficient, and sharing the journey with others who get it... It’s got me hooked. And the thought of doing it for months at a time? That’s the kind of challenge I need. Fitness, adventure, and a crazy goal to work towards—what more could I ask for?

I’ve set a goal: five years from now, I’m hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. There’s a ton to figure out, especially since I’m all the way in Australia, but that just makes it more exciting. First up, I need to get my body in shape. I’ll share more about that soon. The seed’s been planted. Who’s with me?