Where Does Motivation Come From?
The journey
I am a very self motivated person. That said, I'm an extrovert, I need people around me. I wonder sometimes, if I'm like some kind a monster who will suck the energy out of them...but hey, we make things happen together. So, in the summer of 2016, I told Hannah and other 'yikers' about my goal of hiking the entire Bruce Trail...she was totally in. Hannah hosted our first meeting so we could all discuss the level of commitment involved, we reviewed the trail guide, and planned our schedule of hikes for the Peninsula Section.
Late summer, 2016 we began our trek. I'm not sure what happened between the meeting in May and that first weekend, but things do not go as planned - maybe miscommunication on all our parts, the fact Mother Nature showed no compassion, it rained and rained and rained and maybe there was just too many strong personalities on the trail. The group dynamics were horrible - I couldn't wait to reach Wiarton, because we made the commitment to finish the Peninsula section together, which we did - kind of.
Just before Christmas, Hannah & I met to discuss moving forward. I loved her commitment to finishing the trail. After Christmas, her & I embarked on this adventure together. For more than 545km Hannah and I got to know one another, even though I did all the logistic, I tapped into her commitment and it kept me motivated, no matter how much my feet hurt...I kept going and she was patient to my challenges - age & arthritis. We shared so many laughs, a few tears and a strong friendship was established.
In the Spring of 2017, Hannah was diagnosed with Vulvar Cancer, so after 545km together, she had to stop hiking to undergo treatment. I was crushed. Finishing Syndeham Section together was bittersweet. I was now on my own, while she battled cancer. This was emotionally challenging for me. I didn't know if I could continue this trek without her, I knew I wanted to and I knew she would kick my ass if I didn't finish. She inspired me to keep going.
This community/tribe of people in Stride and Stretch rallied together not just to support Hannah in battle with cancer, but to help me finish the Bruce Trail.
On December 3, 2017 I completed my End to End of the Bruce Trail (900kms from Tobermory to Queenston). There was only one person that I wanted to share my victory with...Hannah.
Update: Hannah went through numerous surgeries, radiation, chemo and is back on the the trail.
