April 13, 2015

i have been a little lazy about writing my blog. There are those days when it seems I have done nothing towards my Camino Experience. Then there are those day when I do all sorts of preparation whether in walking or packing and then run out of time to write.  Or just too tired to write.

I find it amazing that as I walk I can think of all sorts of things to write about. Then when the walk is done and I get cleaned up, somehow I forget it all.  So tonight I will do my best to capture some of those thoughts and recap where i am on the preparation for the journey.

We are now 7 weeks out from the beginning of our Camino. Or as I have begun to call it...my mini camino.  I have purchased new boots and have been breaking them in. I do believe I have all of my gear for the trip. Well apart from a pretty outfit to wear the night we are in Bordeaux. I know it seems silly, but I would like to look decent that evening and not like a pilgrim.

Today I set out to walk 10 miles with my pack. I had gone through the pack on Sunday and repacked it. I also weighted and noted that weight of all of the items on the packing list. Going through which toothbrush was lighter, that sort of thing. I went a head and put in bigger bottles of Gatorade to add more weight. When all was done the pack weighed in at 17 pounds.  I figured this was a good weight to train with since I believe in the end the pack will be lighter.

At the start of today's walk the weather looked like it might rain. It had rained most of the night and into the morning. The forecast called for rain all week in fact. Luckily the rain held off and I was able to do my walk. I decided that I would just go for it. Knowing I needed to walk and that I did have rain gear and cover in the pack. What better training for the rain in Spain. Funny, that now put that song in my head, From My Fair Lady "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plains." We can hope, can't we.

I set out on my walk and headed towards Subway sandwich shop. The route i took was through a few neighborhood and added an extra mile or so.  When I arrived at Subway on Dean Forrest Road I had completed 6 and a half miles.  After having a quick break and a bite to eat, I headed back. I did learn that i should not have eaten a 6 inch sub and half a bag of chips at the stop. After about 20 minutes my stomach started to ache.  I have learned that I need to either eat smaller meals or wait longer after eating before heading back out.  Better to learn that lesson today and not on the Camino.

When i returned I was surprised to see that I had completed 12.88 miles. That was nearly a half marathon. I also did it in 4 hours, which was good training for having the pack on for 4 hours. I did take it off for the break, which i am sure we will do when on the Camino.  All in all I feel today's walk was a success. Yeah! And no blisters!

My goal for this week is to do 50 miles with the pack. Now I have done 12 I only have 38 more to go.
I think I will reward myself with a pedicure on Friday if I complete my goal. After all my feet deserved to be pampered.

Soon I will be posting my packing list, with pictures.