The thought of subjecting my 73-year-old body to the challenges of a 500 mile trek across Spain's multi-faceted landscape was daunting from the outset, to say the least. But I knew I was in a good place to get started with my fitness training, having worked already for more than two years with a talented and empathetic trainer. Together my trainer Angie and I researched how others have trained for the Camino, Angie considered my needs, what muscles I would be putting to greater use and how to strengthen them, and I began very slowly increasing the number of miles I walked each week.
Now, with more than four months still ahead of me before my starting date, I'm beginning to move outdoors more and slowly to add the weight of the backpack. I still have a very long way to go though, and even small injuries or strains are setbacks. I'm going to need to begin extending the length of my hikes and the weight of my pack, but slowly. Slow and easy is my motto.
At the same time I continue to work with weight training at the gym, hoping that I'll have the strength and stamina for this ambitious adventure. I know I'll ultimately be like all other pilgrims, learning on the road, building up strength on the road, working through my physical problems on the road. With luck, I'll be able to work through and beyond them, without being stopped altogether by them. My dear husband John and I used to say to each other each night before bed, "See you in the morning, God willing and the creek don't rise." I think I'll make it to Santiago de Compostela, God willing and the creek don't rise.
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