Another false start, Ivar?

It’s May 2020 after nearly a year injured

That’s right, it was June 2019 I injured both my Achilles’ tendons and inflamed the tendons in the metatarsals. Carrying 20kg with a mile to go on the Hampton bridge run the warning pains came on. I decided to have the injuries and pushed on. The idea of this being an Army one. Take the injury now and when healed it will be stronger. Should take a week like last time when I was in my 20s.

It took a month for the left to mend and 8 months for the right!

I cycled while not on the sofa. Different muscles and tendons are used from walking and thus no good to build up stamina and strength for the Santiago challenge.

Just as the weather improved for me this year to re-start training COVID-19 caused me to comply to lock down in March.

The rules were relaxed this week so where is obese me in relation to the Challenge requirement?

33 days of walking on average 25km per day (From John Brierley Camino Frances Guidebook).

I tried the flat Hampton Court Bridge circuit. Carrying 1kg and not the planned 8kg.

Roughly 17km (10 miles) in approximately 6 hours including breaks. 

Excellent result as I was also learning to walk properly again.. Legs were weak as you would expect with the lump tummy I carry.

It was a cool dry day and may we have plenty more of those. Before the injury my walking pace was 3mph this week 2mph. No injuries just very stiff and sore. Can’t move around without use of arms.  

On Camino I would have a rest day after 5 walking days ..... one trains for that. On Camino one builds up through the weeks.

Will I have the time and money this year?  In the meantime no harm training a couple of days a week till Spain opens its boarders. France just has but Santiago has gone back into lock down. In fact the Camino Frances route was the Spanish Covid hot spots.

Will I ever journey to St James?

What now delays my start? Litigation and injury so far.

From the Camino Forum.

In what has become lengthy Camino preparation I am aware from the blogs of other Pilgrims one can expect a good churn of microbes from all parts of the world. A chest infection or tummy bug are not for certain but are to be expected. It doesn’t stop you and should it be bad enough “hole up” in a hotel for a couple of days which is fun!

I have spotted something with COVID-19. It doesn’t seem to infect all types of bodies. Like Trudeau where only his wife tested positive. So if we don’t expect all to be potential hosts we could peak earlier. If Spain and France peak early they could open doors June which is great walking although crowded.

I want a go and I need to train though France which also needs to be clear. No more delays!!!

From the Foreign and Commonwealth Office l

The first half of the Camino Frances is through Basque Country. The capital one expects to be infected but why not the rest of Spain even with more Foreigners?

The common denominator is Basques or Pilgrims. Peak soonest my friends. As soon as we have “herd immunity” I’m off. 

Followed up by a total shut down.

First time in two years I’ve looked and no pilgrims from all the routes have decided to collect their Compostela!

Camino boarders are now shut. If they open again in a month there is no delay to my intentions. Longer would mean I have to walk with kids. It won’t be nice I’ll just have to pray more.

Now to wait for my Corona infection and see how I react to it. Only had the flu once 10 years ago. Apart from the headaches and chest infection it was the loss of strength that got to me..... I had to leave my bath like a snake.

This “a la Cart” Catholic plans doing an a la Cart pilgrimage

So what food and board can I expect?

This video from last year nails the answer. 

The perils of training

I started training in April 2019. By end of June I felt I was a strong walker to do the half Camino day test. Carrying 10 Litres of water and 12 km with a halfway stop for a snack. 

Halfway was Hampton Court Bridge made with no stops.. Comfortably achieved.  

My first attempt to the Bridge ended in an early turn back and loss of footing on a slope sending me face first into a bracken bush. 

During the successful return I fought off lazy feelings for a rest. Then a couple of Kms from home I felt the tendons in my feet go sore while my Achilles’ tendons did the same. I rested remembering from my Reserve Army days that these tendons are needed to carry backpacks and are stronger when healed. Good preparation I thought. 

So next morning, in huge pain, I loosened off the limp and did a couple of miles loaded.

Both Achilles now self injured I expected a heal within 2 weeks. 

I couldn’t have days of no activity and this explained why the left leg was the first to heal after 3 weeks. My favoured leg now took another 7 months to now. No limp but if I walk a mile the calf starts to cramp. I also feel this was nature’s way of equalising the strength of the legs because my steps are more balanced. 

Camino training restarts now hopefully for a start just after Easter.

Poignant Camino Moments

Investigating the lost I think could get me left out in the cold. However there are places after Burgos I intend to be alone with my thoughts.

Apart from the stones left there I will be finding a place for this:

Broadband Camino

All kinds of Ways to Camino with Pilgrims from the world with all kinds of bodies, budgets and ages.

This Oz did the first week and had all kinds of weather and accommodation. Clearly he has not admitted to having his main bag carried for him. His observations are potentially useful to me deciding on Boots or Sandals.

This Canadian gives the idea of "how much" for a "Hardcore Camino". Time in thought can be affordable.