A Whole New Level of Exhaustion
Friday, June 5th. Day two of this walking journey is officially in the books, and I've come to a harsh realization.
This is a thousand times harder than a bicycle trip.
Walking while towing a trailer is a literal full-body ordeal. Unlike cycling, where the bike takes a significant amount of the physical load, every single joint and muscle here is screaming in a completely different way. From figuring out how to escape sudden downpours to seeking out shelter, it's a constant, grueling battle of endurance.
Trusty Gear and My Worst Enemy
On the bright side, my cargo trailer is holding up remarkably well. I'm slowly getting the hang of how to maneuver it and pull it efficiently over rough patches and bumps.
But whatever relief I feel from my gear is completely overshadowed by the ultimate nemesis of any long-distance walker: chafing.
It is absolutely excruciating. With every single step, the painful friction at the inner thighs chips away at my willpower. It throws off my sense of distance and fills me with anxiety over how much further I can actually go. Just finding the motivation to put one foot in front of the other has become a monumental task.
Pure Endurance and Fleeting Bliss
Finding a place to camp is another beast entirely. On a bike, you have the luxury of checking out multiple spots and casually backtracking if one doesn't work out. On foot, your options are severely limited. You have to make quick, definitive decisions about where to sleep because turning around simply isn't an option.
Honestly, almost this entire experience is just about enduring physical hardship. Yet, that's exactly what makes the fleeting moments—like the second you take a sip of a drink or finally find a safe place to rest—so intensely euphoric. Those brief flashes of joy are the only things keeping me going.
Sights Set on Balamban
Despite the agony, I managed to cover about 15 to 16 kilometers today. Better yet, I've finally crushed the majority of the endless uphill climbs.
Tomorrow, if my severe chafing allows it, the plan is to head toward the town of Balamban. One painful, purposeful step at a time.