Running on E

HI all!   I've arrived in Hanover, NH and 1,740 miles are under my trail runners!  Well, in total, because I'm on my third pair of trail runners.  I strolled along the highway to the VT - NH border with a huge smile on my face and an Arizona tea in one hand that I picked up in Norwich, VT.  Several people honked and waved... knowing what it takes to make it this far.  While posing for my picture by the border sign, a granite "VT - NH" engraved in the middle of the bridge over the Connecticut River, I yelled to an unsuspecting motorist "this is the best day ever!"  And I really felt as if it was the best day ever.

New Hampshire... less than 450 miles to go to Katahdin... 1,740 completed... my body is starting to give...

It takes a tremendous amount of energy... physically, mentally, emotionally to come this far.  For the most part, I've mastered the mental and emotional aspect.  However, the physical part I have little control over.  Almost all hikers that make it to this point are starting to become famished.  Most are burning muscle and some have prominent bone structures in their faces.  Whenever NOBOs cross paths with SOBOs at this point on the trail, we notice how fresh their bodies look and perform.  We NOBOs have stained, ripped, torn, and dirty gear that we're carrying on our emaciated bodies.  The SOBOs still have an unseasoned look... even after just coming out of the most difficult part of the entire trail, The Whites.  I wonder if that's how I looked when I was only 400-500 miles into this journey...
I recently found out that if your sweat smells of ammonia, you're burning muscle.   Guess how I smell?!   When I started my hike, I weighed about 130 lbs.  Currently, I'm around 120 lbs.   I simply don't have much to give up anymore and I'm almost to a point where my body is just tired.  Thus, I simply can't do big mile days anymore.  Yet, that is a moot point because you can't do big days in The Whites, but up to about Massachusetts, I used to crank out 20+ a day like it was nothing... but not anymore.  The terrain of Vermont wasn't particularly difficult, but I felt like it was due to the condition of my body.
My physical condition isn't going to dampen my mood because I'm still having a blast on this journey!  Like I mentioned above, today was one of the best days ever!!  I'm going to take some time off in Hanover to regroup and sort some things out... and then I'm tackling NH!
I believe that if I continue to stuff my face with calorie-dense food whenever possible, I should be alright.

Ben & Jerry's, anyone?!