Today was a fairly short walk of only 15 kms so we didn’t get moving as quickly as other mornings. We had breakfast and then packed up our stuff and headed out. We had planned to leave around 8 but we were out the door by 7:30. 

This is an example of “muscle memory” for me. When you live out of a backpack you learn to unpack and pack with little thought and great ease. And the plan to leave later dissolves into being ready quickly. 

Another aspect of muscle memory happens physically. After our 4 and a half months adventure we both got sick and were sidelined from training for too long.We arrived on this camino with little to no training especially on hills (read mountains). However within a few days those sore muscles were transformed into strong legs again. 

Another aspect physically is the heart rate and breathing going up the “hills”. I was a bit worried that again I had lost so much. The bronchitis I had earlier this summer really took a toll on my lungs which I honestly don’t think recovered fully after Covid. After that first half of a day going across the Pyrenees (where I wanted to quit) I haven’t had any trouble. In fact my heart rate is registering 20% lower than on previous Caminos, except for the end of our last camino. 

Another aspect of muscle memory has to do with the brain. Here you have memories stored up and are able to store more. But also there is the memory of staying present. It’s easy to be thinking about what is next and so beautiful to be brought back to the present—with buen camino, a bird chirping, a beautiful vista. 

Also the realization that it is easy to focus on the negative but so much better to shift that to positive vibes. For example, you are passed by someone who who doesn’t speak instead of getting upset realize that responding to you is not their responsibility. Or you get someone serving you who is quick tempered or rude, let it go and don’t let it ruin your day. This takes brainwork and positive energy to say “I have no control on how they act only how I respond.” 

I will not say this is easy but it does require practice so it becomes a muscle memory just like walking, walking with a pack, running, riding a bike…it will come back to you. 

I hope this is helpful! And that you are having a great day. Buen Camino. 

Oh ps: this muscle memory is more of a fun tradition going back to 2017 a push up at the top of the last big hill before SDdlC. 😂

We started walking at 7 this morning and after 23 kms we saw 15 pilgrims including ourselves. We are not staying at all the usual stages but in smaller towns so this may account for fewer pilgrim sightings. 

It seems that it is about this stage after 10 days of walking that groups that had formed at the beginning start to change. One pilgrim stops sooner than the rest of the group, someone decides to take a rest day while others want to keep moving, injuries slow pilgrims down. Sometimes pilgrims want to have solitude as they walk and can even feel they are too reliant on other pilgrims. 

One pilgrim shared with me that she was really enjoying the companions she was walking with she, “found that getting into the slipstream of my initial group led me to be less self reliant and resourceful than I want to be. I need to hone those skills. I’d also like to meet new people and slow down a bit at some point. I’ve proven I can do the walking. I’ve got The SJPDP to Roncesvalles down and this latest long 29k stage down. So physically I’m strong enough I think. I want to make sure I move to my own rhythm as much as I love the camaraderie. I’ll need to find a balance.”

This is such a great reflection on how Camino helps you grow and challenge yourself!! 

We also have heard people comment that they have slowed down and that may be they have to bus parts of the camino. Caminos are all about adjusting expectations, listening to your body, and being open to everything!!

Well that’s all I have for now. Hope you are doing great. Buen Camino!!

Today was a lovely day of walking, the sun was shining, there was a nice breeze and the walking was very easy, okay some steep climbs but not too bad. 

We met a mom and daughter today. Janie (mom) lives in Florida and Erica (daughter) lives in Australia. We had a nice conversation coming into Navarette. In Navarette we re-connected with Marty and Liza, from Connecticut. We met them in line to get credentials and direction at the Pilgrim Office in SJPdP. We have seen them off and on almost every day. Each time we meet we get a little better acquainted. 

One of my favorite parts of the Camino is how quickly you get to know people. Or maybe a better way to say it is you move past small talk and dive right into deep conversations with people you meet. It just doesn’t seem to happen in everyday life. But on camino you can meet someone and know their greatest heartache in a few kms of walking. 

Being vulnerable seems to be a very big piece of the Camino. There is so much shared pain, it may be not the exact shared pain, blisters vs knee pain but still pain that we recognize and don’t hide. And despite Brene Brown encouraging us to be vulnerable in everyday life we avoid it attempting to hide our hurts and pains. 

Healing happens on the Camino. Maybe not physically but definitely mentally and emotionally. With each step you walk towards something that allows you to let go and feel alive again. 

We went for an early dinner tonight because one of our favorite places serves all day. We met more pilgrims, one from The Netherlands and one from Czech Republic, he works for a company that has a really good app for Caminos. We also met Eva from Sweden. We had a really nice conversation with her. We had a great dinner. And got a photo with the owner. Such a nice day. 

Oh you are wondering about the title…so many bicycles today came right on us, no bells, no warnings. I have to say it’s a bit terrifying when you are carrying a pack going down hill and a bike is on your heels. It’s challenging to think fast enough which direction to move. Oh well all part of the fun challenge. Hope you are having a great day. Buen Camino! 😘

Usually a rest day means taking a day off from walking. But we have found taking a shorter day is as good or better than taking a full day of rest. 

We have continued to connect with pilgrims meet new pilgrims. It’s been a lot of fun to keep bumping into people. 

Tomorrow is another short walking day. It seems important to remember to take care of yourself when on camino. It’s not a race but a journey. More on that another day.  We are very tired. So I will say goodnight. And I hope you are well. Buen Camino.