On Sunday, I went for a walk with a 50L backpack filled with a few things to test it out. The walk was very energizing--a beautiful day to wander around the Mall and the monuments. It renewed my enthusiasm to walk the Camino. I had been flagging a bit, feeling as though training was a bit of a chore, but that day's outing made me smile so many times.
I stopped for lunch at Burrito Brothers and met a guy who had just hiked the PCT. We chatted a bit. It felt nice to connect with someone about walking. When we parted, I gave him and his friend a clementine apiece, and he wished me, "Happy Walksgiving!" Tarzan (his trail name) and I agreed that my pack was too big. I was also worried that my boots were too small. So after walking for 7 miles, I took my swollen feet to REI where I tried on a few pair and decided to go up half a size in the same type of boots. I bought a different backpack, too. It's much smaller. It feels so nice and snug. To be honest, I also like it because it is orange with purple zippers.
On Monday, inspired by a neighbor who does the same thing, I walked the mile to my gym to attend my Body Pump class. That felt great, too. It was nice to warm up by walking on the way there and cool down by walking on the way back. It was a little extra workout. I'll try to work that into my routine from now on.
On Tuesday, I had a bad day at work and needed to move my feet. Rather than go to the gym, I grabbed my big rainbow umbrella, a gift to myself during the pandemic when I felt compelled to get out no matter the weather, and wandered around my neighborhood in the rain. Why do I always have to remind myself how much I like walking no matter the weather? It felt wonderful.
Then on Wednesday, I went for a stroll at night, which I don't usually do. Again, it felt fantastic. Again, I wondered why I have to remind myself to go out no matter the weather, no matter the time.
Thursday was Thanksgiving. When I considered how I wanted to spend my time alone in the morning, I decided to combine yoga, walking to the gym, and doing a new exercise class. Funny that whenever I have a spare day to myself, I tend to think of yoga and a walk as the treat I crave. Why don't I just do those things every day? Why does it have to be a special day?
Friday I challenged myself to join a local chapter of Camino walkers on an opt-out walk (anti-Black Friday). We walked from Alexandria over the Wilson Bridge along 495 to National Harbor and back. I was nervous to go, worried that everyone would be too fast, but I needn't have been concerned. I certainly was on the slow side, but I ended up chatting with a lovely woman named Ann for the entire 6 miles. I hope we'll walk together again.
Saturday--today--was dress rehearsal day. All throughout the week, I've been paying attention to Black Friday sales. I looked up on this blog to find my packing list from 2007 and started to modify it. I found deals on all kinds of things that I need. Lots of things will be arriving in the mail this week! Yesterday, I did a pretend packing, putting together most of the things I need so that I could figure out if I have the right pack and if I can carry it comfortably. This morning at dawn, I put on the pack and carried it around the neighborhood. I had on the new boots with the liner socks and big socks. It was like a real dress rehearsal. And you know what? It went great! I did 3 miles with the pack with a moderate level of exertion.
Here I am at the end of Walksgiving, feeling truly thankful and way more excited about my upcoming Camino than I started the week. I declare Walksgiving was a success!
