One of the best feelings I had growing up was being completely exhausted at the end of the day after playing outside all day.

Going into the woods, you can go as fast or as slow as you want. It's restorative. Even when I was young, the wilderness offered not only adventure but also therapy and peace: a place to be alone with your thoughts.

I would rather watch a sunset than TV.

Writing is one of the main ways that I process the experience.

Our bodies are made to move, and moving down the trail is one of the oldest, natural ways people have used their bodies.

I know that I was hiking at a very young age because I remember being convinced that it was the trees that were talking.

Part of the reason I fell in love with the trail is because it was so extremely difficult, more difficult than the marathons and Ironmans I'd competed in. Not just physically but emotionally it was a new challenge, as well. It really helped me to learn and grow in so many ways.