I love to set a challenge for myself at the top of the year. I DO NOT like to call it a New Year's resolution because for some strange reason I never complete it with that label. How many of you can relate? I have a ton of personal goals but I like to always incorporate a challenge involving my friends when writing out goals. 2020 the challenge was to complete a triathlon and this year... my goal for 2021 is... drumroll please...
#50FIRSTHIKES HOMIES
My homie Alexis and I challenged ourselves to hike 50 new-to-us trails in 2021. Exciting right? We, know. Do you just love it when you and your friends share the same love for outdoor activities? Anywho, to accomplish our goal, we must hike roughly one trail weekly. I have lived in the Washington Metropolitan Area for years now, I can honestly say I have not explored our local trails as much as I would like. #50FirstHikes is a way to do just that and be #blackandoutdoorsy of course.
I DON'T LIKE RULES BUT ARE THERE ANY TO THIS CHALLENGE?
I am a person who does not like restrictions but they are needed in order to not have this challenge become the Wild Wild West of hiking. There are two main rules for the #50FirstHike challenge:
- The trail must be new-to-me. Finding a new trail for each hike is exciting but will become difficult as we hike more. That is why we are using the book 60 HIkes within 60 miles: Washington DC, All Trails, and local websites to plan our hikes.
- Have fun and explore. Have you met a person who is extremely intense? They think that challenges must be extremely difficult and the joy factor must be 2 out of 10. Well, they can participate but they will not be on my team! I just want to have fun, smell the fresh air, and hang out with my homies.
Simple right?
WHATCHA DOING ON THESE HIKES?
This is a great question. Alexis once hiked with Black Girls Trekkin' in Los Angeles California and they began their hike with a land acknowledgment. I am going, to be honest, I never thought of doing this before. Now that I know, acknowledging the indigenous people who were forced to leave their land seems like a no-brainer right? Now that we know, we will begin each hike with a land dedication. America has such a gut-wrenching history with uprooting humans from their land/homes and it's my duty to learn more about our painful past. I would share as much information as I could.
I WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT YOUR HIKES?
Don't fret. Not only would I share on my Instagram, but I also plan to write a blog post recapping each hike. Super stoked to share my adventures with you.
YOU MAKE THIS SOUND FUN. MAY I JOIN?
Grab ya' kids, grab ya' wife because this challenge is for everyone. Just consult your physician prior to hitting the trails. When you start your challenge, give us a shoutout on the 50 First Hikes Instagram page. We would love to learn more about your hiking adventures.
I hope #50FirstHikes encourages you to get out and explore your local trails. If you never hiked before and want to know what to bring? I got a blog post for you homie. Check out Beginner's Guide to Hiking. I mentioned the organization, Black Girls Trekkin'? Listen to the Fit Black Queens Podcast where we interviewed Black Girls Trekkin' click HERE.
XOXO,
Tikima Renee
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