If I go slowly, I’ll be fine

The phrase, “We all have our crosses to bear” hit me right between the eyes during Holy Week.

Last week’s Intentional Camino Day had me in screaming pain. FUN! In the end, I barely made the 20k on my training schedule as I fell victim to shin splints in my right leg. I’ve had these before, they hurt mostly going downhill, downstairs, or on the flat. In other words, anything that doesn’t involve going up. Ice and rest is the best thing for this.

Ugh! How did I manage to do that? Why me? Why now? I don’t have time for this! I have more important things to do than sit around. In denial, I’d get up, try and do something and end up crying in a high whiny voice of complete powerlessness and dejection . Shin splits really, really, HURT. Lots. Momma-kiss-my-boo-boo-and-make it-go-away was a tangible temptation.

In a way, this little rest period has been a blessing and a lesson. For one thing, when I am fatigued, I thunk when I walk. Thunking is bad for shins (not to mention spine). For another, it has taught me how to recognize when I’m doing the “bad walking” and correct myself. This mainly happens when I slouch. Go figure.

Finally, I realized that if I go slowly, I’ll be fine.

The Camino isn’t a race.

Being sidelined for a week—Holy Week—made me slow down. Slowing down made me think of why I’m doing the Camino. I often think I don’t do enough in a day because I’m at home. I should be cleaning, doing yard work, running around doing errands. So, I offered it up. I prayed a lot. I said to myself, it’s Holy Week and there’s nothing more important to do than reflect.

Monday, for the first time in a week, I went for a walk. It wasn’t a long walk… just in case. After dropping off the rental car I walked the 1.5km home uphill. That was a good walk, I took it slowly. I didn’t do the recommended hour and a quarter just in case I strained or stressed and re-injured myself.

Then, Tuesday, I went on an hour long hike through the woods at the Nature Center. I picked the perfect time of day. The one shining hour that the sun came out. I walked for a full hour.

I’m back in training!