The most beautiful view in England. Painted by Turner. View from Richmond Hill over River Thames.
T minus 14 (days) to my camino.
I walked out to Richmond Park today with a friend. She likes walking and walked 50km on the Thames Towpath challenge a couple of years ago. She had asked me then to join her on her long fundraising walk. I, of course, scoffed and said “I’m not a walker”. Famous last words …
So when she suggested we go out today, how can I refuse? After all, I’ve now taken on walking 1,000 km. (I’ve basically rounded up my camino distance to 1,000 km. It’s a lot easier than saying 820 km, but 900 km if I walk on to Finisterre. Too confusing. 1,000 km is a number people can remember easily.) The day turned out to be quite beautiful, albeit very blustery. We were either pushed along at a rapid pace or had to push hard against the wind.
View of Richmond Hill from Richmond Bridge.
Today, I took my poles out for a practice run to get into the rhythm of it. Overall, happy with the pace and the natural way I am now using the sticks. Plus, I do find them super useful on uneven terrain. It’s like having an extended arm that tells me what the ground surface level is like.
All in all, a good day, but I came home 3 hours later somewhat exhausted.
How will I do this day after day for twice as long (never mind the kms)? A fear struck in me. What if, having told everyone I’m doing the Camino, I suddenly decide on the Camino that I’m not going to finish? Eeeks! NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. But a tiny voice pushes through with “what if”?
Suddenly, the enormity of the task ahead looms very large, and I feel intimidated by the venture I have taken on. I feel the endlessness of the journey. And I haven’t even begun.
April 17, 2015 at 12:24 pm
Your body will get stronger as you go on. Wise friends told me this before *my* camino and it was true. And bear in mind, you pretty much have all day to walk from Point A to Point B. In everyday life, we try packing the walk in around work, family commitments, cooking, shopping, whatever. On camino, most of those distractions fall away and your main task each day is to walk. And you have all day to do it 🙂
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