habits - 247 days to go

How can I prepare my body for walking 500 miles?  In some ways it's overwhelming, but it's also thrilling to have a big goal.  Much of the reason for the trip is to establish an incentive to get in better shape.  I want to meet my 50 year old self, and I want to be proud of her.  So the voyage to Spain is the reward.  But taking good care of myself is its own reward.

I need to change my eating habits.  Last time I did it, I had just lost a lot of weight, and this time I need to lose a lot of weight again.  It doesn't feel like I want to do it for vanity's sake or because I need to look a certain way.  It's more straightforward--the less weight I carry on my bones, the easier it will be on my joints to wander along through the flowers and the meadows.  It's akin to packing less in my backpack.  I don't want to be weighed down any more than I have to be.  I'm trying to remember that every time I make a choice of what I put in my mouth, I'm making a choice about what I want to bring with me next May.  So I'm assiduously logging my food and hoping the numbers on the scale go down.  I'll probably need to get a lot more disciplined than just that, but it's a start.

I also need to figure out my physical training schedule.  I do so much better when I have a routine.  It's coming together piece by piece.  A long walk (or two) on weekends.  Body Pump at the gym two days per week.  Yoga and walking during the week.  It will help me to put that on the schedule rather than just going whenever I feel like it.  

Those plans are fine, but I feel like I need some more butt kicking, too.  Last time I finished the Camino, I had just run a 10 mile race.  Is it too crazy to imagine doing that again?  At this point, I couldn't even run a 5K.  I was also doing a boot camp at that time.  I wouldn't mind doing that again.  This morning I went to a personal training session, and although that would be a nice addition, it's just too pricey.  Maybe it's time for me to think about developing a gym routine of my own.  I have a hard time pushing myself with weights, though.  I do so much better in a group, which is funny because I am going to Spain to walk alone.  Something to think about.  How does my fitness relate to other people?

tenderfoot - 263 days to go

 I went for a morning walk today and noticed that the bottoms of my feet are tender from pounding the pavement yesterday.  I'll have to wear boots for the next long walk.  As I recall, pilgrims talk a lot about their feet, and one of the best things you can do is to prepare yours for what they are going to experience.  No more pedicures for me.  I want my hoofs to be tough.  I also want my boots to be well broken in.  I own boots from my walk in N Ireland last year.  I haven't tried them on in awhile.  I'm not sure if they are The Boots.  They don't lace up well around my big ankles, but that could change in time.  

Sunday walk - 264 days to go

I have a countdown app on the lock screen of my phone, which is keeping track of the number of days until I get on a plane for Spain in 2024 to walk the Camino de Santiago in celebration of my 50th birthday.  It's intimidating to think about all that I need to do between now and then to prepare for the trip, but it's also really exciting and energizing.  

I went for a long walk today (or what counts as a long walk when there are 264 days to go).  For 7.6 miles, I wandered along the Mall and around Capitol Hill in the 90 degree heat.  I wore sneakers, though I think that next time I'll wear boots because by the end, the soles of my feet were a little uncomfortable from pounding the pavement.  I carried a tiny backpack with just water and essentials.  By early May of next year, I look forward to doing double that number of miles per day (day after day after day--for a bare minimum of 30 days, probably more) while carrying a much bigger backpack.  Despite the heat, it felt joyful to move my body--up until about the last mile.  

There were lots of people around enjoying the summer Sunday.  As I watched them, I felt as though I had a secret.  To look at me, you wouldn't know that I was starting such a meaningful journey.  Even though I was in high spirits, I wasn't lightfooted.  I was aware of the changes that need to take place with my body before I can undertake another long walk.  I'm committed, though.  I need to lose inches and pounds to get into Camino shape.  I have a lot of tough workouts and training ahead before May 3, 2024.  Part of me doubts that I can do it, but part of me is thrilled by the challenge.

I walked past the Capitol Building, and it was under construction.  We both are.