PCT Day 20 – Trail Names, an Update

Zero in Big Bear – no hiking

In the last week Keith and I have been given, and more importantly accepted, trail names. As you may recall I was previously ambivalent about taking on a trail name, if you’d like to read more about that, check out day 5 of my PCT blog. However, that was also before I was given a trail name that felt fitting to who I am, and is frankly, just damn funny.

Keith becomes Starman –

This name stems from his time spent working at SpaceX, and his involvement with the launch of Dragon Heavy. If you’re unfamiliar, that was when SpaceX launched a car with a dummy inside instead of the traditional test payload for new rockets, which is usually just a giant block of concrete. The dummy in the car is also named Starman.

Runners up for Keith’s trail name include: Op-ed, Solver, Teacher, Gas Leak, Star Lord, and Professor.

Kara becomes Sporty Bastard –

This name is a combination of two separate instances. The first part being from a luncheon chat with Enigma – because apparently skiing, snowboarding, trail running, hiking, weight training, playing both soccer and ultimate Frisbee, and running triathlons makes you a bit of an oddity. Initially he suggested Sporty Spice, but I had little desire to be associated with a 90’s British pop band, and thus it was shorted to Sporty. The second part of my trail name came later that same day during a particularly brutal hill climb. The group was discussing the merits of marriage without children (as ya do) and I mention that my parents only got married once they knew there were having kids and I was conceived – something I feel has influenced my own relaxed take on marriage – Enigma cries out “you’re a bastard!” which I think is hilarious and so I adopt the trail name Sporty Bastard, Sporty for short. I’m sorry Mom and Dad if that offends you 😀

Runners up for my trail name included: Second Shoe, Tracker, The Hair, and a handful of others that were just lame. People on the PCT reaaaally want to give out trail names.

So why did I change my tune on trail names? First, because I think Sporty Bastard is fitting, and it’s something I never would have thought of on my own. I abhor the task of describing myself and cringe every time I’m asked for a bio. But it’s fun to hear what other people see in you. Second, I’ve always needed an outlet for my excess energy and tendency to grow bored quickly, and physical activity has often filled that need. Being active is a deeply ingrained part of who I am. Third, I’m a fan of the fact that it’s a gender neutral name, and the fact that it makes me and others laugh every time I say it. I also like that people don’t mispronounce it unlike with my real name. And finally, I am a bit of a bastard, not just by birth (because I was only conceived out of wedlock, not born out of it), but also by my contrarian nature and general disregard for arbitrary/unearned authority.