Feet and Legs

On the Camino people seem to suffer most from problems involving the feet and legs.  Just about everyone I have spoken with is suffering from, or has recovered from, issues with their feet and/or legs.  A gentleman I talked to today said that everyone will have a problem – it’s just too demanding on the feet and legs to walk 20 kms day after day.  This is exacerbated by inadequate training which does not replicate the extreme conditions.

In my prep, I probably never would have had a problem.  But it would be very difficult to find five days to hike 100 kms just to inflict enough stress to see what starts to break down.  That is why most people struggle, why some people need to rest for a few days, why some people unfortunately go home.

Blisters are a big issue.  I have 5 and the photo shows the tape job to my left foot.  Some swear by duct tape.  Others advise using a sterile needle to place thread into the blister to act as a wick and drain it.  I have not used the thread method as I am concerned about infection.  There is no way in the environment that I am in to keep wounds really clean all the time.  The blisters are slowing me down, but it is manageable.  Every step is a reminder that I am pushing it.  Should that not be a metaphor for life – and is this me learning what a pilgrimage is all about?  Can there be gain without pain?  For many this is hopefully not the case.  But so far the events in my life which I can clearly see have helped improve me as a person came with the most pain.  Sometimes great personal pain.  With pain in one foot and pain in one shin I cannot be distracted from the physical task of moving forward and enjoying the Camino experience.  Is this the experience that trains one for greater focus when the Camino is complete?  Is this where the Camino roots into real life?  Perhaps I’m sounding a little ‘woohoo’ here – but really, change your environment and change your experience of the world.  Time will tell.  I want to move forward to complete the Camino while enjoying and experiencing everything I can.

There is an interesting saying on the Camino – the first third is about the physical, the second about the emotional and the last third about the spiritual!

Hola!

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