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.