Mad Max and I walked 790 miles (the length of Italy) to train for the Camino
On the September 1st, 2017, I began to train for the Camino. I started by reading books and watching “YouTube” documentaries on other pilgrims’ journeys. Just to set the record straight I am not a hiker. To say I was clueless about hiking and backpacking would be an understatement. So based upon my limited knowledge base my research began.
Based upon my studies, blisters appeared to be the most problematic issue. Advice from my sources was to break-in my hiking boots for about 6 months, which I did. Thus, no blisters. In addition, staying dry was another issue. I had to remember that my walk in any rain would be more than a few minutes until I reached a near by building. No, I would be walking hours in the rain with no chance of a “near by” building. Therefore, it was paramount that I selected the lightest and the most rain repellant jacket and pants. By the way rain resistant and rain repellant are not the same protection. Another much discussed topic was to poncho or not to poncho. My testing determined rain jacket and rain pants (Geotech) And you will notice I stated “lightest” weight.
What you carry in your backpack is measured by need (not want or would be nice) and weight in ounces.
I trained near my home which is similar terrain found on the Camino. I started out walking a mile on a local bike path. Then I upped the ante to two miles in a week, which quickly became four miles. No problem. Surprisingly within two months I was walking at least 7 miles a day during the week day and 10 to 15 miles on the weekend. In another month I was carrying my backpack.
The beauty of walking is the slowing down of the world around you. You are not quickly going anywhere at 2 to 2.5 miles an hour. I remember early in my training how excited I was to get the walking done each day.
Everyday of training for the Camino made me more and more excited to get to the Camino. Then it dawned on me, training and preparing for the Camino is the beginning of the journey . I was wishing away the current moment to another place. That understanding changed the context of my training by opening my mind to explore my “here and now” moments during training. For example, I found little things became very important to enjoy, like on a continuous walk up a steep hill finding a brief flat area to stop and catch your breath before you move on. Or on a hot day, some shade from a tree with a momentary light breeze which cools your face.
Another purpose of training is to explore your reason for walking the Camino. In order to walk for more than a month requires you to mentally train to ask myself the simple yet profound questions and wait for the answers: What is my spiritual purpose? What do I really believe?
In a moment of clarity, I realized I have always had these unanswered questions, about purpose, finding out what is really important in my life, my beliefs and my faith. Then it became clear to me, I have been walking the Camino all my life. I just was unaware of the name of my journey. I think I am finally ready to explore and listen.
