The Camino Frances

The Camino Frances

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

How to walk 30 km on the Camino

Day 21 Leon to Villavante  30 km

How does a pilgrim walk 30 km with no damage to the body or soul?
Here is how we did it.
Up at 6, breakfast at the convent, (oats in hot milk, coffee with hot milk, and a rice cake with jam), and on the road by 6:45.
A cortado coffee at 4 km (less milk than a ccl)
A coffee con leche at 7 km.
At Villar de Mazariffe, at 20 km,we had lunch: rice and corn cakes with cheese, and orange, and another ccl.
We left there about 1 pm for a 9.5 km walk to a new albergue which is not in the Brierly book, so we knew it would still have space.  We arrived at 3:20. It helped that we talked most of the last 8 km with Guiseppe, a young Italian man with great English. It also helped that we were dressed properly - not too hot, and that Bob had warned us at the second coffee stop that fatigue in the afternoon is either being dressed too warmly, or not drinking enough, so we pushed the water. And I made it, with no injuries, and no fatigue.

So, the recovery:
This is a beautiful albergue, only opened one year, so it is bright and clean and spacious.
The hosts were welcoming, and we ordered our dinner immediately. No worries about where to eat.
Then I laid down on the floor and did ¨legs up the wall¨ for 20 minutes. It helps my body to transition from constant motion to stillness, and reduces the puffiness in my legs.
The shower was spectacular: unlimited hot water, and a skylight in the bathroom.
Laundry by hand, outside in a cement sink, then hang them up in the sunshine.
With all the tasks done, time to check my messages on the internet and post.
So, all the necessities are in place for a succesful 30 km walk.

Bed at 9:30, with a sleep mask so it doesn´t matter when the lights go off.
Up at 6 tomorrow, for an easy 21 km walk into Astorga.
And so it goes for the pilgrim. More wild lavender tomorrow, and some under the pillow tonight.

9 comments:

  1. beautiful. What a feeling of accomplishment you have, before I even get up. Have a great day.

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    1. We love to walk early in the morning - those kms are so much easier than the afternoon ones, and this morning we were rewarded with the sight of an orange moon!

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  2. So that's how you do it! Fuelled by caffein...rejuvenated by yoga. Great formula.

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    1. I think I have learned a lot more this time and hope it will help your Camino. If you have any questions, ask away.

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  3. Enjoying your notes so much. You give a great account of life on the Camino -- the mainly wonderful experiences but also the inevitable fatigue and frustrations. Thankfully, they are greatly outweighed by wonders. And they are part and parcel of the Camino. Hugs to you and Wendy,.

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    1. Thanks, Ann. It is fun sharing with all of you, though the computers bring more frustrations than the Camino!

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  4. HI Darlene,

    I met a guy on the Via de la Plata, that was doing 45km a day and had been for 10 days. I slowed my pace so that we had dinner together a second night. He was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer. His doctor said the only thing left was to walk. I pray it beat the cancer. Your high mileage regimen just reminded me of those days. At his pace he never saw anyone twice. We had a great second night together in Caceres, after the monastery the night before.
    Thanks for the memory prod.

    Now on to your next pop quiz. What was Foncebadon in its hey day?

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  5. WOW, 30 km. Thanks for sharing your secrets.

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    1. If you have any questions, post them - happy to share.

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