This Is Gonna Hurt: Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Arizona Trail in a Calendar Year

This is Gonna Hurt is the embodiment of unrelenting pursuit of a singular goal, no matter how much pain, adversity, or hardship stood in the way. When Brandon set out to hike over 7,000 miles in a year, he knew it was an absurd and improbable goal; he knew he would be alone nearly the whole time; and he knew there would be a lot of pain and struggle. But he also knew that it would be more rewarding than he could ever imagine, more beautiful than he could dream of, and when he did meet people, they would always be memorable characters. He also knew that he would do it. He was going to get there or die trying. While this mindset may not be the most healthy, he believed it was necessary to achieve something truly great.

More people had walked on the moon than had completed the Calendar Year Triple Crown. The obsession to hike the three triple crown trails in a year after having never hiked a long-distance trail before might have been a little crazy, but how many unbelievable accomplishments have happened because someone was completely sane?