hiking the trans-catalina trail in a rush

Last weekend, we set out to tackle the Trans-Catalina Trail, thinking we’d enjoy the ocean views and peaceful hikes. The plan was to finish all 37.6 miles in just a day and a half—maybe a bit ambitious for folks our age, but we figured, why not? Well, after the first few miles, my knees started to protest, and by mile 15, I was questioning every life choice that led me to this point. The scenery was absolutely stunning—rolling hills, wildflowers, and the endless blue of the Pacific. But honestly, I barely had time to enjoy it because we were racing the clock. We skipped lunch, ignored the blisters, and pushed through, but I kept wondering: is it really worth rushing through such a beautiful place just to say you did it fast? I saw younger hikers taking their time, snapping photos, and having picnics, while we were gulping down trail mix and limping along. I can’t help but feel like we missed out on the real experience. Has anyone else tried to cram a long hike into a short window and ended up regretting it? #hikingadventures #transcatalinatrail #midlifejourney #Travel