And then there's the weight.....

I think sometimes as humans we're delusional. Actually, for me it seems to happen often, where I get an image in my mind of how some situation will be, and then there's reality. I had an idea in my mind about how I'd feel carrying 17 lbs on my back. I know I said before about my backpack weighing a bit over 14, but that was because I was also delusional about the weight of water. I thought "how hard can it be to carry 17 lbs?" I remember carrying babies around for hours that must have weighed at least that. I guess that's why the universe doesn't typically permit women over 50 to have babies, because as shocking as this may seem, I am not as strong now as I was when I was 30.

Today I walked for 12 km carrying 17 lbs on my back. I hope that I'm not being delusional thinking that when I'm overlooking the beautiful scenery in Spain and trying to speak Spanish to locals alone the road that, while that back might feel as heavy, I will at least be having more fun. It is really hard to be enthusiastic about trying to train for distance and weight by walking in my own home town. And surely after a few days I'll start to get stronger (secretly wishing I'd been a bit more serious about those core strength exercises when I went to the gym).

12 days to go before I leave. Fun or not, I will put some effort into this training, in the hopes that it will decrease the suffering going over that mountain.

The Preparations Continue...

.... And the results are in! The backpack weighs 14.6 lbs. with no water. I’m not sure this is too good, but it’s not too bad either and will have to do for now. I may end up leaving stuff behind in hotel rooms and pouring shampoo down the sink out of desperation to lighten the load!

The other part of preparing for my Camino is the physical training. If anyone in my hometown sees a lady in hiking boots, backpack, a Tilley-knockoff hat and using hiking poles walking down Richmond, it is probably me. It may appear obvious that the best way to prepare for a long walk is to just walk, but we’re talking about very serious walking here. So I joined up with a group a very serious walkers; the Running Room’s half-marathon walking group.

I have learned that there is a difference between hiking (what I’m doing) and marathon walking. These wonderful people walk fast. For them it is as much about time as it is distance and I am finding it challenging to keep up, but so far I’m doing pretty well. We walk three times per week and this morning did 16 km.  And there I was, bring up the rear, trying not to complain too much about the fact that it was pouring rain and my backpack was so soaked that it was getting heavier by the minute. But despite the rain and the heat and my hips seizing up regularly, this is just the greatest group of people. It’s been so much fun getting to know them as we walk and talk and walk and talk. Looking forward to doing 18 km next Sunday!

I would like to say a bit on the value of hiking poles. Mine are called ‘Pacer Poles’ and they really make a big difference, especially going up and down hills. Almost everything I’ve learned about how to walk the Camino has been from the Camino de Santiago Forum (Link on the right of this page) and almost everyone there says that hiking poles are a must. Going up hill they give you four legs instead of two and when going down steep hills give you stability and balance. In some areas it could be dangerous to not have them, especially on trails that are close to a drop-off.

For the next three weeks my challenge will be to focus on work and to not constantly be thinking about getting on that plane! Yes, only 3 weeks from today I will be in St Jean Pied de Port, France, ready to embark on my 5-week journey!