…OK it’s really not a Joy. I have had to start doing exercises, which I hate with a passion, to overcome some Camino setbacks. The worst has been Plantar Fasciitis. It’s foot pain caused by overweight – read backpack and needs to be addressed.
Purgatory #1 – exercise. I hate it – them. But I am now doing hip strengthening exercises to alleviate the transfer of weight from hips to legs, ankles and feet. I have even bought resistance bands that are graded to make sure I exercise in a controlled progression. Some may call it systematic penance.
I am, however, hoping that all these exercises will make me stronger and keep me going on my camino in April. This has to be the positive take on all the slog. If the exercises work and I can walk 250+kms than I would call all this pain a JOY!!
Yes, I did get a few good walks in last week, before the pain set in and the pain has not actually stopped me from the usual roster of office work, house work and Christmas decorating. It’s just that I can’t walk, even without my backpack, for 10kms.
I have though started reading another Camino book “The Only Way is West.” The author is younger – late 20s – early 30s. It’s a different vibe from the other, older authors I have read, but it is still very interesting. He writes well – always a positive for me.
I also bought my camino hat. It’s a hat for the sun. I’ve knit a hat for the cold, but everyone wears a hat or a bandana for protection from the elements on their walks. I found the hat at Winners, when I wasn’t actually looking for it. Often I have found my best purchases, when I haven’t been looking for them. The hat was $20.00 and looks a little like the classic Tilley hat except it’s charcoal in colour and the design is a little “funky.” In fact, I look like a cross between Mary Poppins and Eliza Doolittle – not as tall as the nanny and not as young as the flower seller. Maybe a hybrid flower child – gone to seed – not seedy.
We’ve bought our Christmas tree. Improved the decorative lights at the front of the house. Got Christmas cards mailed and bought a few gifts “to open.” I did make pasta with clams on Friday night. They were delicious and did pork kebabs on Saturday. I hope I can come up with something for Sunday – but that’s another post.
My Joy for the Joy Jar this week has to be my commitment to exercise and the hope that these exercises will strengthen me enough to walk from Porto to Santiago carrying my backpack!!
Have a joyful week!!