Logged my 500th mile on the PCT this summer and felt nothing

I tracked every single mile on the same app since March. Hit the 500 mark last Tuesday near Donner Pass, nice sunny day, no blisters. I thought I'd feel some kind of rush or at least snap a photo for the group chat. Instead I just stood there thinking about how my knees hurt and that my filter was clogged. Has anyone else passed a big round number and just felt annoyed that the next water source was still 4 miles away?

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the_lee24d ago

Ha, I hit 1,000 miles on the AT a few years back and my big moment was realizing I'd been carrying a rock in my pack for 60 miles because I thought it was a snack. The only thing I felt was the cold dread that I still had 1,400 more to go. The app sent me a little digital badge that I accidentally swiped away and never saw again. I think we build up these numbers in our heads like they'll fix something, but really they just remind you that your feet are basically two sad, calloused meat slabs. Next water source is always the real milestone, honestly.