I finally made it to Italy! I’ve had the desire to visit Italy for almost 20 years. Even though we covered several parts of Italy, I’m only partially checking this off my list because there are so many areas to visit there. We traveled to various locations along the coast and made a short stop in Naples. Some of the big highlights were when we spent a few days exploring Rome, Salerno, and the Amalfi Coast. Foodwise, you guessed it, I ate pasta at a minimum two times a day. My favorite carb!
Italy is filled with stunning mountains and picturesque destinations that offer unique experiences for hikers and trekkers. I actually had the pleasure of visiting one such destination located in the province of Salerno on the Amalfi coast. This particular trail is known as the “Path of the Gods” and it attracts numerous hikers each year. While it offers incredible views, it also comes with its own set of challenges which require determination, physical strength, and endurance.
I’m no newbie when it comes to doing cardio. In fact, I do incorporate cardio into my routine about 4 to 5 times a week. So, the idea of hiking naturally seems inviting. That all being shared, let me share my Italian hiking experience.
The hiking path I took was categorized as intermediate to advanced. During the initial stair climb, I was winded and questioning what I agreed to. I was grateful for the pouch I brought with me for the hike. In my pouch I carried the usual necessary suspects: refillable Yeti, protein bars, wipes, and a small first aid kit. The mental suitcase I later discovered I needed was more endurance, courage, and focus.
Within my group of four, we were all at adequate fitness levels. However, we all were getting winded at some point and needed the occasional stop for a break. We all experienced our own challenges along the way.
My personal challenges:
Exhaustion |
Dehydration |
Fatigue |
Vertigo |
Motion Sickness
As the dehydration set in, I remembered feeling extremely dizzy as I looked over at the coast. Motion sickness had a grip on me at this point. There were points along the way where I crawled the path instead of walking as a fear of falling into water set in. Keep in mind I don’t have a fear of heights. Side note: Did I mention we were on a mountain along its cliff not near the water?
AT MY OWN PACE
Throughout the entire hike, I kept repeating to myself and reminding my crew that I was going at my own pace. To allow myself time to tap into the necessary strength to not abandon ship at minute 30, I had to focus on what I was capable of.
“At My Own Pace”…this statement could sum up the entire hike and my health/fitness journey. How? Well, I realized that it was not a race. It wasn’t about what others were doing. Being successful at my journey depended on my focus, endurance, and goals. It wasn’t a race to the finish line. I wasn’t trying to compete with the others in my group. It was about the inner challenge and moving through the hurdles. My takeaway from this is that there have been, and will continue to be, challenges along the way that I need to consistently push past in this journey called LIFE.
As you have read, there were several excuses to stop after the first stair climb. Despite those excuses, I kept going and turned around within 2.5 hours of the journey. For some, the full length of the trail is from 3.5 to 5 hours in duration. I left half of the crew to complete what they desired and happily turned around to trek the same steps I had stepped or crawled through. With joy and a sense of accomplishment, I took the journey back and recalled how far I traveled despite dehydration, motion sickness and some type of vertigo. I kept it moving and took my time all along the way back. I celebrated how far I had gone. With my old physical stamina, I would have never attempted the hike at all. This was my success!
Would I do it again? Nope. I know my limits. Now that I have personally traversed The Path and experienced the journey of sweat, near tears and joy, I encourage anyone reading this to take time researching the journey. Here are a few pointers and tips I have for those wanting to try The Path:
Stop frequently.
Soak in the beauty of the surrounding nature. This not only provides a break from the physical exertion of the trek but also acts as a boost for the mind.
Keep the fact in mind that proper acclimatization is essential to avoid altitude sickness.
Stay hydrated at all times since the hike can be demanding enough to leave one feeling dizzy and parched.
Pack enough water, snacks, and comfortable hiking clothes. This is critical to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable hike.
In summary, I won’t attempt The Path again. I’m confident of that. However, I’m not done hiking. Never would I have imagined that I’d seek out other hiking locations to put my physical strength to the test. But while I have the physical strength to train for the next hiking experience, I’m going for it!