[sirena]

I am section-hiking the Arizona Trail and wanted to share my website. I've got about 130 miles left to go and am back on the trail for the push to the finish. I've been taking pictures and videos, as well as keeping a trail journal. It's been a fantastic adventure and has given me a deep appreciation for the beauty of this state we live in. I'm hiking the trail as a fundraiser and awareness walk for Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition that I've had since 1998. Since off-site linking is prohibited, you can google Arizona Trail for Fibromyalgia to get to the site. I'm usually a lurker here, but I just love this website- it gives me plenty of ideas of where to explore once I finish the Arizona Trail!

[nonot]

Congrats on your progress so far!

[azbackpackr]

I've been watching Sirena's progress since even before she started! It has been great to see the miles she's racked up over the past year or so, and look at the photos. If you go on the website you can put your email and whenever she has a new posting you'll get a notice.

My husband is also a fibromyalgia sufferer who has taken up long, slow dayhikes over the past couple of years, losing over 100 lbs. in the process. He still suffers a lot from it (muscle cramps, pain and insomnia) but he sure likes the fact that he is more fit and slim. Now he wants to try some easy backpacking, especially after hearing about Sirena's journey. He also swims and rides a bike at least a few times a week, and does yoga and stretching daily. Some days he just can't do much, but when he feels he can go, he's out the door!

Thanks, Sirena, your adventure has inspired people!

[writelots]

Sirena - I've been following you, too, since we met at the meetup club meeting. It's been great to read your journals and get ideas not only for hiking the AZT, but other cool tips (I think I might try the umbrella on my upcoming hot hikes!)

Hitting the segment from the Rincons to the Catalinas next month...so excited!

Hope your hiking goes well this spring, keep us in the loop over here!

[azdesertfather]

good luck with that, sirena...

[sirena]

On May 12, Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, I completed the final eight miles of the Arizona Trail in Oracle. I've posted the journal and pictures at

http://www.aztrail4fms.org/trailjournalblog.htm

I will continue to post the journals from my trips from 4 Peaks to Pine this March and April until my journal is all caught up.

I feel so fortunate to have been able to hike the Arizona Trail- it was a fantastic adventure!

I am being interviewed for Arizona Illustrated tomorrow, I believe it will air on KUAT channel 6 at 6:30pm and 12:30 am. It will also be on the radio. I will try to get video or audio to post on my website.

-Sirena

[nonot]

Congratulations

[sirena]

Here's the link for the Arizona Illustrated interview:

http://ondemand.azpm.org/videoshorts/wa ... romyalgia/

[desert spirit]

Thanks for posting, Sirena. You're an inspiration for everyone

[jeffmacewen]

Thanks for posting, Sirena. You're an inspiration for everyone

While I agree, I just wish I had the freedom in my schedule to be "inspired."

[sirena]

I (finally) posted my Arizona Trail gear list at http://www.aztrail4fms.org/gearlist.htm for anyone who might be interested in what gear I used on my hike.