One week after returning to Umstead, I was back.
This time, I wanted to test a specific trail: the short version of Sycamore Trail, the same trail that will become my testing ground for the next phase. Sycamore is where the real arc happens - it's the trail that nearly broke me five years ago. But not yet. Today was about building confidence and data.
Same distance as last week. Same elevation. But a different trail, different energy, and a new sense of momentum. I'm not just coming back to Umstead. I'm owning it systematically.
Before the Hike
Seven days of recovery from the March 25 hike had me feeling solid. No soreness, good energy, legs felt fresh. The goal for April 1 was straightforward: hit Sycamore short version at a comfortable pace, dial in my rhythm for what's coming, and get video footage while I'm at it.
Weather was similar to last week - cool morning, perfect for moving without overheating. I knew from my last hike that my hydration strategy was working. My pack was dialed in. My body knew what to do. This was going to be about consistency and confidence-building.
I brought my OSMO Action 4 to start capturing footage. The goal isn't polished video yet - it's raw material, authentic, just me hiking and experiencing the trail. YouTube videos will come later. Right now, I'm collecting data and evidence.
What I Carried
- Durston Kakwa 55 backpack - proven light and durable
- Altra trail runners (zero-drop) - consistency matters
- 2-liter hydration system - drink early, drink often
- CLIF bars - solid fuel for moderate efforts
- OSMO Action 4 camera - capturing the journey
- Leukotape, sun hat, light layers
Pack Weight: ~9.5 lbs (including camera)
On the Trail
Sycamore Trail from the Glennwood Ave side is familiar to me now - not from recent memory, but from studying the route. The first mile is tree-covered, gradually ascending. I set a steady pace, aiming to maintain consistency throughout.
The rhythm was good. Heart rate steady, breathing controlled, no moments of doubt or struggle. I was moving through the forest like I belong there - which, increasingly, I do.
The trail opens up in sections, and those are where I got most of the video footage. Not posed. Just walking, talking a bit, noting what I see. This is real content. No script, no take-two. Just me, the trail, and the camera.
By mile 3, I knew the hike was going to feel easy. That's not pride talking - it's data. My heart rate hadn't spiked, my legs felt strong, and I wasn't fighting anything. A week ago, I might have pushed harder. Today, I held pace and let the hike teach me that consistency beats heroics.
The finish came in just over 2 hours. My HR peaked at the end but recovered quickly. No bonking, no wall-hitting. Just a solid day on the trail.
Gear & Video Notes
The OSMO Action 4 is a solid camera for hiking. It's light, rugged, and captures good 1080p footage even without stabilization. The extra 1.5 lbs in my pack was worth it. I got usable clips without much effort.
The zero-drop Altras are proving to be the right shoe for Umstead's terrain. I can feel my calves working hard over the miles, but in a good way - building resilience, not breaking down.
Hydration strategy: sipping every 15-20 minutes instead of big gulps. This is working. No cramping, no bloating, no bonking.
Post-Hike Reflection
Two hikes in, and I'm seeing a pattern emerge: consistency breeds confidence.
I'm not trying to PR every outing. I'm not trying to crush myself into submission. I'm hiking regularly, hiking smart, and letting my body adapt. That's the opposite of five years ago, when I thought effort and willpower could overcome poor preparation and worse pacing.
The video will become YouTube content eventually. But first, the blog post exists. The story is documented. The trail is proven. Then the video supports the story, not the other way around.
This week: Company Mill Trail. 6.2 miles. All business. Next week after that: back to Sycamore for the full distance. The arc is building.
Video from This Hike
Video editing in progress. Footage captured and will be published as a standalone YouTube video linked here soon.