Well my 2020 journey has ended. This summer, I hiked 838 miles from the middle of PA, through NJ, NY, CT, MA, NH and into Maine. I started the year quite unexpectedly (and very unready) after a layoff and the Covid-19 pandemic hit. In late May, I decided to spend the pandemic-summer hiking north on the Appalachian trail. It was a tough year on trail since the northern half is much harder than the southern half, in my humble estimation. Hiking in the time of Covid was very interesting and at times very solitary.

New friends were discovered and each mile reminded me of how the trail changes a person's heart. I was able to raise more funds for the Ironheart Foundation and be an ambassador for positivity and the overcoming spirit for which Ironheart members are known.

I hiked slowly and safely like I always do. I was proud of a few 15 and 17 mile days but mostly my comfty zone was 11 or 12 miles. I did single-digit-mile days and zero-mile-days when I needed them and took good care of my feet and legs the whole way.

I just did the math. There are 165 miles of the AT left for me to discover. Most of them in Maine and a little bit in New Hampshire. I will be back in 2021, God willing. This little bit of trail left contains some of the hardest miles to include the Wildcats in NH. These looming and rugged section hikes for next season will inspire me to stay in hiking shape and keep the passion alive.

I appreciate your support this year. Please donate to the Foundation as David Watkins and the rest of the Foundation are doing amazing stuff to support those directly impacted by heart disease.

See you up the trail.

Ironheart

On Dec. 17, 2011, John Kolker dropped dead of a sudden cardiac arrest, caused by a myocardial infarction at the age of 49.

Resuscitated at the scene by courageous volunteers trained in CPR with an AED (automated external defibrillator), he spent three iffy days refusing to come out of therapeutic hypothermia induced coma. Graciously, John came out of the coma and underwent successful cardiac catheterization and stent placement to two blocked coronary arteries.

John is an Army Veteran, was a smoker for 31 years, overweight since his release from active duty in the 90's and severely inactive. He never went to the doctor for checkups. His lifestyle had killed him. With his second chance at life, John quit smoking and began frequent medical screenings and researching his rehabilitation options.

Researching on the web, John continued to find stories and videos of other survivors who have become Ironheart Foundation athletes. John recalls that day when he announced to his family that he would not go on disability, but would return to work and pursue his vision of becoming a triathlete.

For the first months, John could barely walk from the bed to the kitchen but gradually made it to the pool, onto the bike, and the running track. He changed his diet and began training for endurance events. Not only has he lost over 56 pounds since his heaviest weight, but he has completed 12 sprint triathlons, several bike rides of over 50 miles to include one across the entire state of NJ. John joined the Ironheart Foundation and met and was inspired by Ironheart Foundation founder, David Watkins when Dave made time to visit John in New Jersey in 2013.

John is a zealous advocate for heart-healthy choices and second chances and his involvement with Ironheart continues as he prepares for more sprint triathlons and long-distance hikes in 2016 and 2017 to raise heart-health awareness and funds for Ironheart.

Read John's story on the Ironheart Foundation web site...

By hiking the full length of the Appalachian Trail the goal is to:

Raise awareness about:

• Heart disease

• Risk factors

• Screening

• Heart-healthy choices

• Recovery

• Endurance sport for cardiac survivors
   

• Promote advocacy

• Endurance sport for cardiac survivors

• Motivate survivors of cardiac events to“...find your own hike and hike it” whether that “Hike” is walking around the block, a 5k, a triathlon or a long distance hike

• Increase collaboration and advocacy at the individual and organizational level

• Inspire “First Chancers” to make better choices

• Raise funds
  Funds raised by Heart Hike go directly to our charitable beneficiary, the Ironheart Foundation - www.ironheartfoundation.org.

• Over 2,190 miles long over rugged mountainous terrain traversing 14 states

• Southern end is at Springer Mountain, Georgia

• Northern end is at Mount Katahdin, Maine

• Ironheart's daily distance averages from 7 to 16 miles

• There are more than 250 three-sided shelters and various trail towns along the trail