Scott Jurek's Blog, page 4

Finally getting caught up at home! I’ve been browsing through...

Finally getting caught up at home! I’ve been browsing through your comments and one of the most frequently asked questions was, “What are those black things you’re wearing on your ankles?” Multiple choice, was it: 

A. protection from trail debris  

B. prevention of Tibialis Anterior tendonitis/tendonosis 

C. gaiters to prevent ticks 

The correct answer is B. One of the most prevalent injuries on the trail for thru hikers, including Appalachian Trail uber tough record holders Jennifer Pharr Davis​ and David Horton is Tibialis Anterior Tendonitis/Tendinopathy. It can be excruciating and most problematic on steep, long downhills. It presents as a squeaky or grating type sensation while flexing the foot and ankle up and down. I wore Pro-Tec Athletics​ Shin Splint Compression Wraps preventively starting on Day 2 rather than waiting until I developed the injury. They became an essential part of my kit, I ended up wearing them everyday for the rest of my journey. 

While they may have looked odd, they were well worth it! Like Ben Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” 

 photo: Alexis Berg / Grand Trail near South Mountain, PA

Reflections on the Appalachian Trail

photo: © Luis Escobar

It has always been a dream of mine to test myself on the Appalachian Trail, the great national treasure that has inspired and challenged so many hikers and runners before me. This was a personal adventure, one that my wife and I pursued on our own. It was Jenny and I, in our van that we renovated ourselves, setting off into the wilderness.

photo: © Jenny Jurek

I was intrigued by the unknown, having never experienced a multi-day adventure of this magnitude. Along the way, I hoped to inspire others to get out, push their limits, enjoy and protect the wild places around them. I posted photo updates and carried a GPS satellite tracker as a way for others to follow my progress and share in the experience. During the journey, an independent documentary crew shot footage as part of a film they are making on numerous athletes. They were not commissioned by me or my sponsors, nor were they a part of my team. Luis Escobar, a photographer and longtime trailrunning friend, was personally interested by my attempt and came out several times to shoot photos.

photo: © Luis Escobar

During the first few weeks, we figured out how to become more efficient at navigating our way through the woods and resupplying for our plant-based diet. We learned very quickly that Jenny had the harder job crewing and it was a huge relief when friends and locals volunteered to help. When I was injured and began to struggle, it was no longer a question of how fast I could traverse the trail; it was a question of whether I would even finish at all. I’ll always be grateful for the support I received that lifted my spirits and kept me going. Many folks ventured out to the trail to cheer, share some miles, and bring me vegan food. This is what I love most about the wilderness and the sport of trailrunning, connecting with people and sharing our experiences.

photo: via bikeandrun Instagram 

When I arrived at the base of Katahdin, two park rangers counted my group and registered our number as within the authorized limit of twelve people.  I stopped to pose for pictures with several large groups of people, including a trail work crew, to thank them for their support and invaluable efforts. There have been reports of a ballooning group size, but my group always remained at twelve. One friend decided to surprise me with a bottle of champagne.  He asked the two park rangers at the trailhead if that was okay and was advised to keep it away from families and children. To him, that sounded like alcohol was acceptable within reason. When I reached the summit, two different park rangers watched my friend hand me the bottle to celebrate. We were not aware of any rules against alcohol and I own that- I should have been better informed. Neither of the rangers said a word about it. If they had, I would have immediately put the bottle away. No citations were issued to any of the people with alcohol and no warnings were given. It was only four hours later, after we had hiked down with all our trash and reached the parking lot, that I was surprised to be met by three more rangers who now issued me three summonses. I am certainly willing to accept responsibility for any rules that I may have broken, but I have yet to be fined.

photo: © Luis Escobar

Since then, the Park administration has chosen to paint a disparaging and inaccurate picture of what truly happened. Several objective parties whom I’ve never met tried to set the record straight with their own accounts of what they saw that day but the Park has removed those posts from its Facebook page.  I’m not sure why a Park so opposed to media and fanfare decided to push to the media a view of what happened that was not accurate and a personal attack on my character.

I understand now that the Park has long standing issues with thru-hikers and the Appalachian Trail, so much so that the Park has even suggested that the AT should no longer have Katahdin as the terminus. This controversy has been brewing for awhile, eliciting healthy discussion when a letter from the Park to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy was posted online last year with a list of grievances. 

photo: © Luis Escobar

Completing the Appalachian Trail was one of the toughest and most rewarding journeys of my entire life. The lessons that Jenny and I learned on the trail we will never ever forget. I hope to have inspired at least one more person to get outside, enjoy and protect the wilderness. We all have a right to explore our parks and wild places. We also have a duty to leave them in a better state than we found them, a mantra I have lived by since I was a kid growing up in rural Minnesota. My goal is to inspire others and I look forward to cheering them on as they experience their own version of adventure.

photo: © Luis Escobar

Last but not least, I want to give a heartfelt THANK YOU to all who supported me near and far on my journey, I could not have done it without you! 

Keep seeking the edge,

Scott 

The Weather Channel: Wake Up With Al

The Weather Channel: Wake Up With Al:

I know it was super early so if you missed me on The Weather Channel: Wake Up With Al Roker, it’s available online at the attached link. Had a great time talking with Al and Stephanie, happy Monday morning!

Blown away by an anniversary gift from our friend in NY, Theresa...

Blown away by an anniversary gift from our friend in NY, Theresa Kelly. The detail she packed into this cross stitch is unreal! Can’t wait to put it up in the van!

Appalachian Trail Day 1 in the books! Departed Springer...

Appalachian Trail Day 1 in the books! Departed Springer Mountain at 5:56am EDT, arrived at Unicoi Gap, 13:16:42 elapsed time. 52.9 miles, 11,400’ ascent and 12,100’ descent. Lots of fog and a little light rain early, then sun and mega humidity. Finding my groove and feeling good. Patience is key, it’s a long way to Maine! Hoping to have live tracking tomorrow.

Photo: by @luisescobar, dropping into Unicoi Gap, 52.9 miles

Embarking on a big adventure tomorrow, something I’ve...

Embarking on a big adventure tomorrow, something I’ve always wanted to do. The time is now!

Pic: Luis Escobar

Bonjour Paris! Enjoyed running some of your sights today. I...

Bonjour Paris! Enjoyed running some of your sights today. I will be at the Marathon de Paris Salon du Running again on Saturday 11:00 and 15:00 at Brooks Running.

24 miles, just me and the open road.

24 miles, just me and the open road.

Finalement! My book “Eat & Run” is now...

Finalement! My book “Eat & Run” is now available in French: “Manger Pour Gagner”

I know my French fans have been waiting a long time, merci beaucoup! See you soon at the Paris Marathon Expo!

What an incredible trip to Tanzania! Going through the many...

What an incredible trip to Tanzania! Going through the many photos and can’t wait to share more.

Seeing firsthand the work Every Mother Counts is doing mother by mother, mile by mile inspires me to give more. On a home visit with EMC founder, Christy Turlington and a healthy mother and child.