Dealing with failure

Nov 07, 2025

One of my fitness challenges for this year was to complete a MammothMarch - specifically, the one held at Harriman State Park in Sloatsburg, NY, in the Hudson Valley.

The Hudson Valley or Hudson River Valley comprises the valley of the Hudson River and its adjacent communities in the U.S. state of New York. The region stretches from the Capital District including Albany and Troy south to Yonkers in Westchester County, bordering New York City.^[

You may be asking “What is a MammothMarch?”

MammothMarch 20 – spend a beautiful day hiking and finish 20 miles in 8 hours. Sounds like a piece of cake? You decide! Our events push you to your limits both mentally and physically. There’s no timekeeping and no failure - only recognition for the courage it takes to rise to the challenge. Finishers are awarded with a personalized certificate, a finisher medal, and a spot on the Wall of Fame.

Started as a virtual hiking challenge during the coronavirus pandemic, MammothMarch has since conquered the US with its unique long-distance hiking events.

In today’s hectic world full of digital distraction, information overload and daily routine, we are looking for ways to slow down and recharge – our bodies, minds and souls. At the same time, we must get out of our comfort zone and push our boundaries to become a better version of ourselves as well as to help reverse the decline in the environmental health of our planet.

MammothMarch is a one-of-a-kind adventure that gives you the opportunity to do all of the above.

Harriman State Park is absolutely beautiful — incredible views, 31 lakes and reservoirs, and over 200 miles of hiking trails. The terrain is rocky, the elevation brutal, and the scenery breathtaking. I’ve completed three MammothMarches, one of them earlier this year in April, and this particular one is by far the most challenging.

I attempted this hike last year but was stopped just shy of 18 miles after missing the final checkpoint cutoff. So this year, I had skin in the game. I needed to conquer this monster.

I trained harder at the gym. Bought better footwear. Increased my endurance. Logged more hikes. Tuned up my diet.

A friend and I planned the logistics for the entire weekend. We drove up Friday afternoon, checked into our hotel, and prepped everything — food, clothes, backpack, all the necessary supplies.

Saturday at 530am, we drove out to Harriman State Park, checked in, and made our final preparations. Step off time was 7am and we were off!

May be an image of 2 people, nature and grass — photo taken of me about 10 minutes into the March

Almost immediately, we walked up into elevation. SO much elevation along with a ridiculous amount of rocks. I did not have the luxury of enjoying the stunning autumn views because I was looking down at my path the entire time. Thank goodness for the walking pole as I was relying on that for balance during the majority of the hike.

The first rest stop was at the 7 mile marker. Bathroom break, refilled the water bottles, a quick snack, and back out on the trail. I was feeling optimistic

Don’t let that smile fool you. Imagine terrain like this for 20 miles.

By this point, things were getting rough. Steep elevation and so many rocks - and now, my right hip muscle was throbbing, making each step painful. The only thing that brought brief relief was pressing the palm of my hand against the side of my thigh.

Elevation and severe muscle strain were not my friends. After climbing up to a high point where there was a breathtaking view of the trees and mountains, my girlfriend asked for a selfie with me. As we posed with me attempting to smile, what she didn’t know was that I was silently crying behind my Ray-Bans, not knowing how I was going to continue another 13 miles in pain.

By the time I reached the second rest stop at mile 10, I was literally using the walking pole as a crutch. The thought of walking any further made me sick to my stomach and I knew at that moment I would not be able to complete this white whale of a MammothMarch.

I was furious with myself, my stupid hip, and the reality I could not think of any way to complete this course in the allotted time frame. I knew I couldn’t push through the pain.

I told my friend, breaking down, as I admitted to her that I could not continue. I wanted her to go on, to complete the course. I did not want to hold her back. She refused, electing to stay with me, which made me even sadder as I knew she had her own challenge to complete.

There were vans running between the four rest stops, allowing people to drop out at those checkpoints for whatever the reason; injury, tiredness, or personal choice.

We got back to the starting point and we had to officially check out. The organization keeps tight track of all the participants as they are all in a heavily wooded area and it is very easy to lost one’s way if not paying close attention to the trail markers. As I am checking out, I received a certificate with my completed miles (10 out of 20), some other swag, and a finisher’s medal. I tried to hand it back to the woman who was processing my paperwork, saying that I did not finish and didn’t deserve the medal. To my absolute chagrin, I started to cry. Stupid emotions.

That lovely woman stood up, came around to the front of the table and gave me a hug. I was mortified. For falling apart. For not being strong. For showing weakness. For being human. She told me that I had to give myself grace, something that I’ve been hearing a lot lately.

My friend and I made it back to the hotel and each of us retreated to our rooms for something to eat, shower, and a nap. A few hours pass and I am feeling a bit more like myself. Still achy and sore but better.

I searched local restaurants and found a great little campy Mexican restaurant called Sangrias. The moment I saw “homemade Mexican food” and “margaritas,” I knew that’s exactly what we needed.

Dinner was perfect. We both needed it. We discussed the march, my sad feelings, family, and future MammothMarches.

Look out Boston - I will be there in 2026… and this time, I won’t fucking fail.