Am I the only one...

[trecile]

Who never woke up thinking that they didn't want to walk that day?

Every day that I was on the Camino I was happy. It was never too much. Sure, there were days when I stopped at the first albergue that I saw and was so happy to lay down, but I never, ever thought about stopping. In fact, I would have walked more, but I came down with a pretty bad cold my last couple of days. In fact it started in Negreira, and it did put a damper on my last couple of days walking. Otherwise, I would have probably taken a train to A Coruña and walked the Camino Ingles.

I also never had to go "off trail" when "nature called". I did bring along a P-Style, which I never had to use, but I was prepared to.

I also never took a single pain reliver. The strongest thing that I took was vino tinto, and turmeric.

I think that my advanced age I have finally found something that I'm really good at!

 

[VNwalking]

Well, there have been days of wanting to stay put and explore. And many days when the weather was so foul that I'd have preferred to not go out into it. Stopping? No, me neither. Even after a bad fall when I probably should have taken a few days to heal, I just walked really slowly, taking three days to cover what would normally take me one.

So far we've been lucky, haven't we @trecile? Some people must stop. That decision is harder, I think. It takes humility and courage to put aside cherished goals and say, "Not this year..."

 

[C clearly]

I can't quite say all the "I never's" that you did. However, I was close enough to be satisfied. And my age is more advanced than yours!

Every day that I was on the Camino I was happy. It was never too much.

I always wanted to be there, and always enjoyed the walking. Aside from one blister and a day of minor shin splints, I was never in significant pain. At the end, I was glad to arrive in Santiago, and even glad to go home. But that is the way I want it to be!

 

[Mark Lee]

The only days on any of the CF's I did where I woke up and didn't want to walk that day (and don't bust my chops too much for this please) were 2-3 times where I was hungover from drinking too much the night before and came in too late (private accommodations folks). Sometimes when a bunch of you are out, and there's tapas and vino galore, and it's all good stuff, it just seems natural to pull a bender, and I (we) did. I gotta say, it's kinda cool to see the sunrise in Logrono and your still out with fellow pilgrims drinking wine.
Nonetheless, I simply got a later start, painfully found the first establishment with life saving coffee, and walked a shorter day (12-15 km). I damn sure ain't as young as I used to be....

 

[dougfitz]

I damn sure ain't as young as I used to be....

I have always denied the effects of my advancing years, although the recent replacement of my left hip suggests that I was probably deluded!

And you are right, there are certain advantages to using private accommodation - particularly when it means that you can enjoy breakfast slowly, and perhaps gracefully as we did in the Parador at Villafranca del Bierzo this year.

Who never woke up thinking that they didn't want to walk that day?

Only on the days that I had planned not to walk. I think that once the goal had been set, and the daily goals required to achieve that were clear, it wasn't that difficult.

I am not sure how common it would be, but equally raising the question like this would be the only way to tell. The discipline of leaving albergues, etc would mask any lack of personal motivation. Perhaps those who have been hospitaleros might recollect how many people on their stints tried to hang around.

So perhaps the congratulations should be on joining the fraternity who find undertaking a pilgrimage something they are really good at doing. Well done.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Even on the occasional necessary rest days, I've always still wanted to walk, despite the decision not to.

Really, only towards the very end do I start looking forward to not walking, but it's only on the morning after the last day that I wake up happy not to be walking.

 

[Cynthia Knapp]

Every day I was filled so full of thanks and gratefulness for having the time and ability to walk the Camino! The skies and sunrises were so beautiful that my heart could not help but soar. My love of walking was fulfilled every day and talking with truly fine people from around the globe was so rich and fulfilling. I've never felt so free and happy. I thought retirement was the greatest, however my experience on the Camino Frances was pure joy.