New Plan of Action and Adjustments

Itinerary Update:
As I was putting tentative dates onto the itinerary, I noticed that I have 11 days to "play with". This meant that some of those 18/19 mile days could be split into 2 days. As it now stands, there are 7 days that are designated as sick or resting days. Hopefully, we won't need to use these days due to injuries or sickness. I would love to be able to use these days at the end in our swanky hotel.

Here is the new itinerary:

Trekking Pole Issues: 

My trekking pole protection tips came in the mail the other day, so I thought I would try the poles out walking around the house. I guess I must be a total moron, because I don't  think I was using the right. Is there really a wrong way to use them??? Sad to admit, but I had to look how to use them on YouTube. The information was pretty helpful....learned the proper way to use the wrist loops in order to grip the poles without putting too much pressure on hands. Also learned that I needed to make sure that my poles are tilted, not straight, in order to make sure that I am using the poles to propel me forward.

Training update:

Tuesday, I was going for my run in hopes of going 5 miles (the run before that was 4.75 miles). However, my body didn't want to cooperate. My calves got so tight around 1.5 miles that I had to stop. I had to wait until Thursday to try for 5 miles again. Well, I made it.....barely. There was LOTS of stopping and waiting after mile 3. At least I made it! This getting in shape thing is over-rated. If my body would be able to handle the Camino without this, I would not run another step!

Candy and I made to our "training grounds" Saturday (last weekend was a bust because of all the rain). We trained with our fully loaded packs. I am not sure how much Candy's weighed, but I have been very choosy in what goes into my pack. My pack weighed around 13 pounds, that included my lunch and water. This was the first time that I took my new pack out on a trek. It is very different from my other pack, and it is going to take a while for me to get used to it. The only that bothered (well, still does) me was not knowing where the pack should sit on my hips...one the hop bone, above the hip bone??? Once I figure this out, I believe that this pack is going to be just fine. 

Since I have been running a lot, my feet are starting to get those pesky "hot spots" around the arches of my feet. Prevention is key when it comes to blisters. The tape worked wonderfully. Even though we did not trek as long as we normally do, I could still tell a difference in my feet. Another thing was I finally put my Superfeet inserts into my boots. I waited because I didn't want them to get worn out. They provided much needed shock absorption and support. 

Glasses Situation:

I quickly realized that using contacts on the Camino is just too much like work. Who wants to keep up with several pair contacts, glasses, and sunglasses??? NO BODY! That's why I decided to go with transition lenses (well...there was someone who suggested transition lenses too). Now I will only have to worry about the glasses on my face.

Getting Updates While I'm Gone:

I have had several people ask me how they could they keep up with my blog while I was gone. The answer is simple.....I will not be posting the link to my blog on Facebook while I'm gone. So, you can get email updates by signing up using the "Follow by Email" box on the right hand side of this blog.



Got My Goods Together!

After months of research and shopping, I have purchased everything that I need! It feels good knowing that all my items are now ready to go into my backpack. Man, I never thought that I would need this much stuff just to go on a trip. After all of my packages came in the mail, I made sure that I weighed everything and put the information into my fancy Excel spread sheet that I made to do all of my calculations for me.

(Click on the picture to make it bigger)

This may seem a little much for some people, but when you have to carry all of your belongings on your back for 6 weeks, every gram counts! If my calculations are correct, I should not be carrying any more than 15 pounds/6.8 kg when I have food and water in my pack. That's about 13% to 14% of my body weight. The recommended is 10%, but I can't see that happening.

 I was already trying to find ways to shed some extra weight. I even took apart my book of maps in order to save a few grams (It worked! I saved 50 grams). Traded my Keen sandals for those ugly Crocs. That saved my over 200 grams alone! Also, I had my hand towel cut into smaller pieces (only needed wash cloth size anyway) to help save me 30 grams. The one thing that did disappoint me was not being able to take my St. Thomas's My Way of Life that Mom got me for my birthday. Although it is light, I don't have any extra weight that I am able to spare. On the brighter side, I am going to be able to take the Anglican prayer beads that she got me! I have already started learning some of the prayers that go along with them.

I am still trying to figure out what I am going to do about communication. I do know that I am taking my phone, so relax people. However, I have to talk with the people at Verizon to see what is the best option for me. Texting and emailing is all that I will need to do. Mom already has said that she will only require a text or email every now and then, which I understand. So, an international plan might not be necessary, but I'll check all that out when I talk with Verizon soon. Not sure what plans Candy has in the communication department, and I don't think she doesn't either since she keeps asking me what I plan on doing.

Dad gave me an old iPod that I will be using for video and pictures. It is set up with the Blogger app, this way I can update my blog when I have wifi, and email. Don't worry, I have created a separate email address to use while in Spain. Just let me know if you want it, and I'll get it to you.

Candy and I have been trying to use our weekends wisely. Meaning that each Saturday is devoted to hiking with our fully loaded packs for 10 miles or more. During the week, however, I do try to go running at least every other day. I am able to comfortably run about 5 miles. **Note to self: don't try to run right after it finishes raining because it just might start raining again. Then you will have to stop by your friend's house on a Saturday morning begging for covering. Thank you Ms. Janet and Joy!!

As I am typing all this out, it just hits me on how real this trip really is. In less than 2 months I will be half way around the world doing something that I would never thought I would be possible. Mom said that she is sure that this is only the beginning for me. I told her that most people say that once you do the Camino, you'll be coming back for more. I am sure that this will be true. I am getting more and more excited about the spiritual side of this trip, about what God has planned for me in Spain. I know that I have said this before, but there is just a burning desire and passion to see what God has waiting for me that I just can't wait to experience it. Even that means suffering is part of it (well, I KNOW there will be suffering, ha ha ha).

Getting Close!

Seeing my count down on below 60 days is exciting!! I can't help being super excited and wishing that time would just fly by. Right now, I am having these crazy dreams about all things that can go wrong. The last one I had was about how I missed my plane by 1 whole day! I was NOT a happy "hiker" in my dream.

Took my first hiking adventure with a mostly loaded pack (I have little things to get yet) on Saturday. There were several things that I had to do in order to make sure that I was ready:

1) Look at what I had, weight each piece, and put it into my spread sheet that I made to calculate the totals

2) Find out how to pack everything, and actually pack it.

3) Get snacks and water for the "wonderful" adventure.


1.....Even though I weighed everything already, I wanted to do it again to make sure that I accurate the first time. Well, I wasn't. I put the weight into my spread sheet that calculated everything. I'm not doing too bad. I only have few little things to get. There will enough weight left for food and water. There is about 1.5 kilos left to my "weight limit". 

Here is what I am taking so far...

2....YouTube was a great help to know how I should pack everything. It wasn't too difficult really. Sleeping bag on the bottom, heavy things towards my back, lighter things away from my back, and frequently used things on the very top. I did find out that my pack is way too big. It is barely half full! I don't know if you can tell it from the picture, but there it is. 

I ordered a new pack...a Gregory J38 to be exact. This one should be a better fit in the torso, and it's smaller in liters (38L vs. 45L) The best part is that it's purple.  While I was ordering, I went ahead and got a couple of "dry sacks" to keep my clothes and sleeping bag dry and clean. 

3....Candy and I had a great time hiking Saturday. We made it 8 miles with our packs! Whoot Whoot!! The creeks were flowing beautifully. It seems that my running has paid off. 

I was able to do the 8 miles without being "spent". However, I did notice some "hot spots" on my feet. Maybe tapping the problem areas each day will help prevent blisters. From everything that I am reading, taking care of my feet should be the number one priority.

Five More Months

This past week it just hit me...I only have 5 months until my trip! It seems like yesterday I was planning for a trip that was 2 years away. Now I only have 5 months! This means that I need to start making sure that I need to start gathering those "little" things that are on my packing list. After I get everything, I will need to start analyzing the items to make sure that I really them--no need to take unnecessary items that add extra weight to my pack. Then I will need to find the best way to pack it all. I can't believe it's getting close enough for me to even think about such things!

Training is going as well as could be expected.Trying to make sure that I train in the cold is really tough. I had to get some gear to make sure that I don't get too cold while on my runs. Next week might be a little tougher since the wind chill will be below zero for a few days (one of those days is supposed to be my running days) which means I will have make alternative plans. My focus is mainly on my Spartan race in March. I mean, if I can consistently run a 10k then surely I should be able to WALK many miles each day. The full pack isn't really an issue. During the past summer I was able to consistently hike over 10 miles with a 15 pound pack. When I'm gone, my pack should way only about 12 pounds at most.

My dad gave me an Ipod so I can take pictures and video while I am gone. Hopefully I will be able to keep everyone update here this way. The other option is to email all the pictures to myself and do my postings when I get back. We'll see how good the wifi is in rural parts of France and Spain.

I mine as well face it...my Spanish skills are going to stink! Every time I post, I keep on saying that I need to start my Spanish podcasts. But do I?? NOOOOO! Procrastination has been getting the better of me. Someone is going to have to keep me accountable and ask me about my Spanish or it might never get done. It would be awful to go and not know how to say anything but my name, where I'm from, what my job is, and if I like my job.

Several people have asked me what I'm going to do about food since I have to get gluten free. Well....I plan on eating a lot of yogurt, fruit, vegetables, and nuts for sure. There are a lot of little markets along the way which enable me to stock up on needed food items that I can eat during the day. Also I found these cards, in Spanish, that explain what I am not able to eat and why if Candy and I decide to go to a cafe or restaurant.

               

 

The journey in planning and preparing for this trip has been so exciting. I keep picturing in my mind what it's going to be like and the things that I'll get to see (mainly the old churches along the way), not to mention the different types of people that I'll meet. These 5 months can't go by fast enough! I get excited just to see the number of days decrease on my "count down"!!

Just a little update....

Here's just a little update on what's been going on lately....

Training is the focus. I already have all my big things, so it's just a matter of gathering the small things when it gets closer to leave.

As you know, I am doing a mud run to help train for this pilgrimage. Let me tell you...it's tough trying to run a 10k. Right now I have trained my body for a 5k which is still tough. Now I have to be able to double to distance. If you see some skinny "kid" running around the neighborhood in the cold you know why....it's me trying to get reading for this mud run. I think that I am getting runner's knee though....yuck! After researching how to treat this, I am going to have to start strengthening my quads. Lets hope that this is an easy fix.

My partner in crime has injured herself, AGAIN! Now I have no running partner until after Christmas...way to go Rebecca!

For this Christmas, my mother and have decided to take a trip "home" to Michigan. By the time that we go, I should be able to run a 10k. It will be nice to run on flat land for a while even if it will be in super cold weather.

I want to be able to stay in the Scriptures and prayer while I'm gone. I would love to be able to find the Common Book of Prayer of Liturgy of the Hours in a pocket version. This would be the best way to do this. However, if I am not able to find one then I will have to do something else. Maybe one of those pocket Psalm/New Testament bibles.

It's Booked!

Well, it's finally happened. I booked my plane tickets! On May 25, 2014, I will be heading to Paris to begin my journey on the El Camino de Santiago in Saint Jean Pied de Port. I'll be on the way home on July 10th. That's a whopping 43 days! The only thing left to book is my train ticket from Paris to Saint Jean to complete my traveling plans. Haven't decided if arrangements need to be made for Orisson...I have until February to decide.

It's amazing how this has come all together. After watching the movie "The Way", I felt compelled to do this walk. When I mentioned it to my mom, who mentioned it to Candy, it was only a hopeful desire. It was just something that I could do after I finished graduate school. Now, it's becoming more of a reality. God has really been putting the pieces together from the most simple things, like getting my items I need to travel, to getting my plane tickets. I just can't get over it.

Here's a great example: I have been wondering about how I was going to handle my expenses without a huge cost (most institutions charge an exchange rate fee when you're overseas); I mean I was really struggling over what to do. Many posts on the El Camino boards talked about using an investment company that allowed you to have a checking account, but I wasn't too sure about that. Well, I had gotten locked out of my saving account and had to call the company to get it unlocked. Through this I was able to set up a separate account with a debit card with NO fees in about 2 minutes. The conversation with the "agent" just naturally went to me going out of the country and needing some way of having access to my money while keeping my "trip funds" separate from my "normal funds". Thank you Jesus for locking me out of my account in order to make this possible. This may seem like no big deal to most people, but it's a huge deal to me. I have to have every detail planned and know how things are going to get done. Not knowing torture for me.

Many months ago, a dear sister in my church gave me a scalloped shell to put on my pack during my pilgrimage. I hung it on my rear view mirror just so I wouldn't loose it. Well it has become more than just a place to keep up with something. It has become a symbol of hope and anticipation. The hope that I will be able to complete the journey, and the hope that God is going to do something magnificent in my life during the pilgrimage. Along with the anticipation of WHAT God is going to do. Nothing is more exciting when you know that something big is about to come in the horizon. You may not know what is coming, but you know that it's going to be something that you'll never forget and will change your life forever. I might not even realize what God has done until I return, but I do know that this pilgrimage was by God's design. Things have been falling into place so easily, and I know that God is working behind the sense to make it possible. He's even making it possible for Candy to go (she wasn't too sure that her boss was going to let her be gone for such a long time)!

Now lets see if I can get through this Spartan Race in March.....I am trying to think of it as training for the Camino. So if you see some weirdo running in the middle of the winter in Alabama, you now know why.

Spartan Race to Train

This week has been about getting down to serious business. I finally charged my iPod to listen to my Spanish lessons! I always get tickled when I hear the Scottish people speaking perfect Spanish.

Trying to make plans with Candy for hiking. Those plans are hit or miss, but...........

I have found a solution to this "I need to get off my hinny" problem. A friend of mine at work suggested a site to get healthy, gluten-free recipes each day. While looking at this site, I noticed information about Spartan Races. Hhhmmmm....what's this???? It's a race where you run and do a bunch of obstacle courses. Sounds fun!!! This will get me in shape. I tell my friend that I would love to do this, and she about attacks me out of joy! She has been dying to do this race.

We looked it up online and began watching YouTube videos of these races. Oh my word! What have I got myself into?!?!?! All well...now I know that I will be ready for the El Camino, and I will have a workout buddy. A schedule has been made for the next 24 weeks. It's going to be a bunch of running and weight lifting. Oh goodness...I have never trained with weights, but here I go. I know that I will build strength and endurance which I will need to complete a 500 mile journey across Spain. 

Just in case you are wondering what this "wonderful" race is like....here is a video for you all to enjoy. 

The race is in March, so that will give me plenty of time to get ready for 15 mile days. 

Training, Books, and Pants

This month has not been the greatest for training. There were a couple of days that I was able to go hiking, but most of the time I was stuck doing cardio at home to build endurance. Hiking has been limited due to the amount of rain...this summer been almost like a monsoon here in Alabama! If it wasn't raining, there was extremely high humidity that made it almost impossible to hike more than 30 minutes. Now that the weather is starting to cool off, I am going to try hitting the trails once again. Only 8 more months! I can't believe that a little over a year ago I started planning this amazing pilgrimage.

Since I had to order some materials for work (my classroom), I ordered a book that I was wanting to read about someone's journey along Camino de Santiago. It came today! I started reading the back of the book to find out this man, Arthur Paul Boers, is a Mennonite and a Benedictine oblate. Neat! The beginning is very good. He writes about the spiritual journey that he experienced throughout his journey.

I am very interested in what God is going to do. As the time comes closer, I find myself pondering on what God is going to do while I am gone. This is not just a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but it's a time to grow deeper in my relationship with Christ, a time for transformation, and a time of reflection. What this will look like when I come back, I don't know. However, after reading just a few pages of my book, I am quickly realizing that God's work might not become clear or even be finished when I return. All of this is very exciting!! I find myself praying about it more and truly desiring God to prepare me for this journey. Journalling along The Way is probably going to become very important to me, allowing me time to reflect on the journey/walk during the day. I am not a journaling person, so that is going to be challenge.

I finally ordered my pants! There was a lot of research involved in making the final decision. Convertible pants were a must, but there are hard to find when they need to be light weight and quick drying. For a long time I was looking at a pair of North Face paints that would convert into capris and shorts, but after reading the reviews I marked them off the list. Many people said that I would want pants that had zippers on the sides and converted to shorts. The side zippers allows a person to take off the "legs" without removing his/her boots. I finally settled on REI Sahara pants. The are a bit long and sit a bit high on the waist, but I can fix that. Other than that, they are wonderful! They are light weight, quick drying, and are roomy. I highly recommend REI Sahara pants.

I just realized that I have GOT to get going on my Spanish!!! I have the podcasts. I just need to start listening and learning Spanish. Can I learn to understand AND speak Spanish in order to hold a conversation without making a fool out of myself in a few months?? We'll see.....

What a weekend!

My weekend has been one filled with things that I want to do! YAY! First free weekend in 2 months!! After finishing my last major school project on Friday, I decided to go for a walk at a local track. This track is hilly and 2.5 miles one way. Saturday was guaranteed to be filled with sore muscles, and my body didn't fail me either. 

I thought that it would be a good idea to have a day of hiking following my long 5 mile walk the previous day. Since Candy has my boots, I was able to try my Keen sandals that I bought for my trip but haven't worn yet. There was a nice surprise when I got to Oak Mountain....a race...using the trail that I normally use. It was a day for a new adventure on the "green" trail which did not disappoint in being filled with lots of climbing. 

I kept getting rocks and dirt in my sandals. This means that I won't be using them on the actual trail--maybe just around town after a long day of walking. 

On the trail, I met two women from Austria and Germany! They were super nice. We struck up a conversation about languages and how families don't pass down traditions from their home countries. One of the ladies talked about wanting to learn Spanish, and I mentioned that I am trying to do that right now for my trip to Spain. They were both interested in where I what I was going to do in Spain, so I told them about the El Camino. The lady from Austria was very excited, because she has been wanting to walk the Camino for some time! Then we talked about that horrible TGV train wreck in Spain. I wished I had asked them to allow my take a picture for my blog just to put faces to this little story. 

When I got home from concurring 5 more miles, I had trouble getting out of the car! I am so stiff and sore already!! Needless to say, I will not be hiking Sunday...it will be a day of rest. I have to be ready to start working on my classroom on Monday. Can't do that if I am not able to move, ha ha ha. 

Even though I did two 5 mile days, I can tell I have a LONG way to before I am ready for Spain. Ten more months to prepare!

Stages Are A Go

Each day is all mapped out. Now I have an idea of what kind of training I am going to do during the next few months. I made a chart that includes starting and stopping point with the number of kilometers (km) and miles (mi) for each day.

El Camino de Santiago Itinerary

(34 days + 3 sick/rest days = 36 days)

Day #	From	To	Distance
1	Saint Jean Pied de Port	Orisson	8 km / 4.97 mi
2	Orisson	Roncesvalles	17.1 km / 10.5 mi
3	Roncesvalles	Zubri	21.5 km / 13.35 mi
4	Zubri	Pamplona	20.4 km / 12.67 mi
5	Pamplona	Puente la Reina	24 km / 14.9 mi
6	Puente la Reina	Ayegui	23.6 km / 14.66 mi
7	Ayegui	Torres del Rio	27.4 km / 17.02 mi
8	Torres del Rio	Logroño	20 km / 12.42 mi
9	Logroño	Nájera	29 km / 18.01 mi
10	Nájera	Santa Domingo de la Calzada	21 km / 13.04 mi
11	Santa Domingo de la Calzada	Belorado	22 km / 13.61 mi
12	Belorado	Agés	27 km / 16.77 mi
13	Agés	Burgos	23 km / 14.29 mi
14	Burgos	Hornillos del Camino	21 km / 13.04 mi
15	Hornillos del Camino	Castrojeriz	20.2 km / 12.55 mi
16	Castrojeriz	Frómista	25.2 km / 15.65 mi
17	Frómista	Carrion de los Condes	20.5 km / 12.73 mi
18	Carrion de los Condes	Terradillo de Templarios	26.8 km / 16.65 mi
19	Terradillo de Templarios	Calzadilla de los Hermanillos	26.9 km / 16.71 mi
20	Calzadilla de los Hermanillos	Mansilla de las Mulas	24.5 km / 15.22 mi
21	Mansilla de las Mulas	León	20 km / 12.42 mi
22	León	Villar de Mazzarife	22.2 km / 13.79 mi
23	Villar de Mazzarife	Astorga	31.2 km / 19.38 mi
24	Astorga	Rabanal de Camino	21.4 km / 13.29 mi
25	Rabanal de Camino	Molinaseca	26.5 km / 16.46 mi
26	Molinaseca	Villafranca del Bierzo	30.9 km / 19.20 mi
27	Villafranca del Bierzo	O’Cebreiro	30.1 km / 18.70 mi
28	O’Cebreiro	Triacastela	21.3 km / 13.23 mi
29	Triacastela	Sarria	18.7 km / 11.62 mi
30	Sarria	Portomarin	22.4 km / 13.92 mi
31	Portomarin	Pafas de Rei	24.8 km / 15.41 mi
32	Pafas de Rei	Ribadiso de Baixo	25.8 km / 16.03 mi
33	Ribadiso de Baixo	Arca/Pedrouzo	22.1 km / 13.73 mi
34	Arca/Pedrouzo	Santiago do Compostela	20.1 km / 12.49 mi

Now that school is about over, I am going to take the time to learn Spanish. I think I will throw a little French in there too for those 3 to 4 days that we're in France.