One of the major topics of conversation amongst pilgrims when walking, stopping for a cafe con leche or at dinner in the evening is of course, blisters. Most people seem to suffer from them at one point and of course all have their own techniques for treating or avoiding them.
I was pondering on this this morning. It’s an overcast day, which always seems to affect my mood. But it wasn’t just that. I feel like I’ve gone through an enormous transformation already on this Camino. There was the physical stage, initially just getting used to the walk. Then I guess you would call it the stage of relaxation as I started to get into the rhythm of the walk.
Today was not easy. For many reasons. Some of those internal struggles have resurfaced, and took up much of my thinking time today. But also of concern, was the physical. About 5 kilometers from Leon I started getting pains in the front of my shins. Oh no, I thought, not shin splints!
Today was a day of relaxation and recuperation. I slept in, had a leisurely breakfast, and then went in search of a good physio. A very helpful receptionist at my hotel managed to arranged a physio at the other side of town, so I caught a taxi over there. The physio center was obviously of a very high quality, as depicted around the walls with all the newspaper cuttings of the famous sports people who used the facility.
Heading towards Foncebadon and the Cruz de Ferro I'm excited about this day and tomorrow. Tonight I climb the hills up to Foncebadon, above Rabanal. So that early tomorrow I can reach the Cruz de Ferro soon after dawn... Departing Astorga Santa Catalina...
I just had second my second visit to the physio in Ponferrada. The treatment was excellent, but there’s still a fair bit of pain. I left the clinic with lots of advice on stretching, strapping, medication and how to get myself through the final stages to Santiago. I have to say the medical services that I’ve called upon so far in Spain, mainly farmacias and physios have been absolutely excellent.
I’m just walking along the ridge line from O Cebreiro to Triacastela. As always, walking at this time of the morning is very pleasant, the sun hasn’t risen yet so it’s not too hot, the air is quite cool, and all I can hear is the tweeting of the birds. I almost have the path to myself, because I think a lot of pilgrims left quite early.
Finally I’m within a hundred kilometers of Santiago. I set out from the albergue at about 8 a.m., again, it’s a beautiful day, slightly overcast, which is good, because it won’t be too hot. The first part is through a little valley with a beautiful old church. I paused to reflect a moment. The only sound, the dogs barking across the little valley and a couple of horses in a nearby field.
Camino Video Part 2 - The Physical This short video looks at some of the physical challenges of the Camino. I had a few unfortunately 🙁 These short video compilations are edited from about 400 short video clips I took over 40 days. There is a more...
Recent Comments