“Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast,” Martin and Stacy Kimpston kept in their heads while training for the 35 Miles for 35 Years Trail Challenge.
The Trail Challenge is a year-long celebration of the Leelanau Conservancy turning 35 years old. And while we’re giving folks the entire year to log 35 miles in our natural areas, Palmer Woods Trail Crew members Martin and Stacy did it all in one day.
“Being a personal trainer and a nutrition coach, I had a plan for us from the beginning,” Martin said. They began training in May. By the time they were ready to complete the challenge in a day, they had already logged 300 miles of training time. “Most of those miles being on the Leelanau Conservancy trail system,” said Martin.
Preparation started the night before for their day-long challenge. They went to bed around 6 p.m. with alarms set to wake up at midnight. Stacy packed hiking essentials the night before. Chippewa Run was their first stop, followed by Krumwiede and Palmer Woods. Then, the pair tackled smaller trail systems throughout the natural areas and preserves before ending at the new Ingraham Preserve at the Cedar River. Along various parts of the journey, Land Steward Caleb Garone and his spouse Gina joined the Kimpstons, and trail crew member Bob Ashmun, plus Trail Specialist Chad Jordan and his spouse Heather met them at the end of their journey.
Though PB&Js and four jugs of coffee helped get them through, the couple attribute being able to finish the challenge to their focused mindset. “Seeing Heather and Chad at the end of the challenge was so nice. When I felt like I was starting to get fatigued, it helped refresh my energy. And then seeing how beautiful the new Ingraham Preserve is, when we got there, seeing the reindeer lichen and the light come through the trees was really beautiful,” said Stacy.
When asked why they wanted to pursue such a rigorous challenge, Martin explains that it’s about challenging themselves and doing something new. “We also wanted to draw awareness to the Conservancy’s great work and extensive trail system,” he said. Generous donations from friends and community members were sent to the Conservancy in honor of the Kimpstons’ ambitious trek.
“These trails get here by donation, and we wanted to remind people of that and of the great work the Conservancy does.” We applaud them for doing the challenge their way and congratulate them for completing it!
Celebrate 35 years of conserving Leelanau with us! Hike 35 miles in our natural areas before the end of the year and receive a commemorative patch and sticker. Find more information at leelanauconservancy.org/trailchallenge.
