LIVE from the Camino Héctor Walks His Way

[HBS60]

If you feel the need, taking a rest day in Puente or Estella is an excellent idea. I met a hospitalera in Estella once who told me she has noticed that more than a few pilgrims quit in Estella due to injury. Also I know from my own experience that around day 4-5 I start thinking about things I don’t need and how I can lighten my pack. I think your Camino will be better if you can carry your own pack. Usually I will walk a few hours and whenever I feel like I know where I want to stop and sleep I start sending WhatsApp messages and see if I can make a reservation.

So far, with respect to avoiding injury and managing your pack, and all Camino logistics you are crushing this Camino. I am excited for you. Carry on !!

I already took a rest day in Puente La Reina, and I already jettisoned a lot of things, so I can carry my cpap in my backpack. This makes it heavier but I don’t think that’s the issue. Negotiating rocky terrain is the issue, takes a lot of focus and energy. I could have walked the same distance with no problem if it was flat, not like this obstacle course. I might just try to walk half a stage tomorrow so I can at least cover some ground.

 

[trecile]

I need to shower, eat, try to u wind and process

Forget about "processing." Just rest!

Tomorrow you can walk a short day to either Villamayor de Monjardín (9.4 km) or Luquin (10.3 km).

 

[HBS60]

Having had a look on your Facebook video with the poles: you are using them wrong! (like many others). This actually makes you use more energy instead of less!
Please do yourself a favor and have a look at some video on youtube how to use poles correctly. I learned from this one, but every other should be just as fine.

Those videos of me with the poles are not telling the whole story. That’s me taking a leisurely stroll on flat, even ground. The real issue is using them in rocky, treacherous terrain. When I must gingerly plan ahead the next step. I simply can’t breeze by like some people do like it was nothing. When I got lost in the fog near Roncesvalles, a French guy gave me invaluable coaching on how to plant them firmly in the ground before I take the next step, it made a difference. I’m aware that I am supposed to advance the opposite side when walking, I simply can’t coordinate those motions for very long. I’ll take a look at the video tomorrow. I do thank you for the link, tho.

 

[HBS60]

Forget about "processing." Just rest!

Tomorrow you can walk a short day to either Villamayor de Monjardín (9.4 km) or Luquin (10.3 km).

I was thinking just that. If it’s on “comfortable earth tracks” (my own translation of the Gronze page I might decide to go the whole distance, but I absolutely will stop halfway through if I find out their description was inacurrate.

 

[donalomahony]

Note: I wrote a lengthy post yesterday about day 6 but it seems stuck in the uploading mode, not sure how to fix it.

Day 7: Puente la Reina to Estella, 14.5 miles, took me 11 hours!!! Eleven freaking hours!!!!!!

As seems to be the pattern, mornings on the Camino are fine. It was a beautiful, cool morning, and a passerby pilgrim couple took my pic as I left Puente La Reina. I set off enthusiastically. I can walk at a brisk pace, and while I do struggle with the climbs and the terrain, I can recover fairly quickly. The first climb to Mañeru was difficult, but it was fairly early in the day. When I got there, I found a nice little park with picnic tables, so I took advantage of that to check on my feet, apply Vaseline for blister prevention, adjust my gear, fill the water bottle. This nice couple shows up, and they were PRs like me! So we took a selfie showing the 3 of us around my backpack which had the PR flag. Then I walked some more, coming up to the stunningly beautiful town of Ciriaqui. I stopped there for a Coke, but the town was deserted. Along the way, I struck conversations with a German guy who eventually moved on, and later on with a Finnish guy, this latter one helped me pass the aftas we talked about our countries, with some of the hard to avoid politics.

We eventually reached the tiny town of Lorca, where he was staying. By that time, after gulping a Coke And an Aquarius, I was passing by sn Albergue snd and a sweet Cinise young woman let me use their bathroom, filled my water bottle, and I bought some chocolate/vanilla ice cream sandwich which felt heavenly.

I debated whether I should stop there for the day, as I wasn’t sure I could make it to Estella, but I thought I could make it to Villatuerta. The path was actually very smooth and flat, but when I got there, I tried calling an albergue but no answer. The doors were closed. I called a different albergue and I was told that because of the religious weekend holiday, everything was closed but there was a huge party in time. An overheated exhausted pilgrim didn’t seem to be high on their priority list, and I had no choice but to continue to Estella, which thankfully was just 2.6 Km (I think) away. I called ahead and they had beds at the Hospital de Perrgrinos, which is the Municipal Albergue.

So I dragged my sorry exhausted pilgrim ass towards Estella, cursing and wondering why earth I’m doing this. There were some rough, tricky spots, but nothing I haven’t encountered before. It probably felt worse because of the tiredness, the heat of the day, and because I was in a foul mood, but it really wasn’t that far away, so eventually I arrived at Estella. After a hot shower and eating a dinner of Pasta Carbonars, I’m feeling better,trying to think of my strategy for tomorrow. I’ll probably do just a half day. BTW, while the cPAP machine did feel heavier, I seem to be fine with it.

I also re-encountered a lady I met at SJPDP, so that was a great morale booster after feeling left behind by others. But right now I feel too exhausted to socialize, and I’m trying to figure how to best plan my walking days.

I expected hardship, so I figure this experience will show me my true limits and potential.

Link to my FB post: https://www.facebook.com/share/gTfBfHFmgUPmGM6o/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Hang in there!

 

[Camo]

Day 7: Puente la Reina to Estella, 14.5 miles, took me 11 hours!!! Eleven freaking hours!!!!!!

Well if it is any consolation your walking rate has increased from 37% to 45% of the Google "average walker"

 

[CWBuff]

Hector!Amigo! Stop thinking negative thoughts!!!! Do the little engine thing "I think I can I think I can I think I can". Your mental stability and state of mind is more than 1/2 of the battle. Do not quit Do not talk yourself into quitting. You are doing fine; you are simply too preoccupied with being a bit harsh on yourself because of your expectations vs the reality to realize that! I looked back on my time it took me 9 hours to do PdlR to Estrella and I was not carrying a CPAP machine...
In the end you got in, got a bed, took a shower and had dinner... you made it through another day- THAT'S ALL that's required on Camino
Forget about people from SJPDP who "left you behind". I do see that you enjoy the social aspect of it but you need to concentrate on your own walking and time management. It's nice to hang out with folks and take photos but do not tarry to the point where it will cost you extra time in the day. I already suggested previously to perhaps start earlier in the morning and someone on this thread also suggested to take some stock in how you feel after already walking part of the day then to call some place ahead and get a reservation- yeah! DO THAT!
As for tomorrow (which is already "today" for you) please walk a much shorter distance or perhaps even jump on the bus straight to Logrono and if need be take another rest day there.
Trust in yourself! You can do it!

Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[Camo]

jump on the bus straight to Logrono

As Meatloaf said "You took the words right out of my mouth" but I was too afraid of mentioning that option myself on this forum.

The bus option is just 25 minutes to Los Arcos or 46 minutes to Logrono.

But I would stop in Los Arcos because from where I sit (in Australia) the Iglesia de Santa María de Los Arcos is too good to miss and Hector would have time on his hands.

 

[VNwalking]

perhaps even jump on the bus straight to Logrono and if need be take another rest day there.

I wouldn't just because of exhausted discouragement. Injury yes. Hang in there, peregrino. Short short day tomorrow. Or maybe a rest day.

The Camino shows us strength we didn't know we had. As many have said, it does get easier. One thing worth remembering is that our state of mind has more power than we know. Being tired makes everything feel worse and harder than it actually is. So just focus on this step, one step at a time. And stop when you need to.

 

[trecile]

I wouldn't just because of exhausted discouragement.

I agree. Much too early in the Camino to skip stages.

 

[HBS60]

Good morning.

Slept better, so I’m feeling better.
I’m appreciative of the feedback. It’s a bit difficult to respond because it’s complicated. I’ve mentioned my PTSD, which, thankfully is much better, I need to be mindful of it to avoid unleashing what I’ve named “limbic storms”.

This might be difficult to comprehend if you are not familiar with the condition, so some of my hesitancy, fears, or emotions may be puzzling or uncomfortable for some, so I’m mindful of that, while at the same time struggling to be authentic.

I’m at peace with my biography, my limbic system still has the same wires, and I’m trying to untangle what are past issues and what is the here and now. This Camino experience is like a laboratory, sort of a “stress test” to see how much I have healed and what areas still need my attention. I need to be mindful of not pushing myself so much that I relapse, but not trying to be so comfortable to the point of avoiding challenges, thus stunting my growth.

I’m in a reasonably good mood, hoping for a better day. I’ll try to take in the advice you’ve given so generously and hopefully learn something in the process.

I just don’t want any more horribly rocky trails…

 

[dougfitz]

@HBS60, if it is any consolation, I have just finished walking the Gudbrandsdalsleden, one of the St Olav's Ways in Norway. The first week, I was struggling to get my overall average walking speed above 1.9 km/hr. I would have loved to have achieved the 2.2 km/hr you have achieved already. It took a little time to get there, and I did. And I expect you will get faster too.

One issue for me was getting in control of the breaks I was taking. Even little pauses to admire the scenery, take a photo, etc, were quickly lowering my overall average. My longer breaks also needed to be shortened if I was going to improve that overall average. Ruminating over coffee or extending any time chatting to other pilgrims quickly drags down that overall average.

There may be other things you can put your mind to in the short term, like adjusting your distances so that you arrive at your next destination at a reasonable time in the afternoon.

Don't expect things to change quickly, but don't get disheartened. Make the small changes, and make the changes small. If you can keep at it, the changes you need will come.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I just don’t want any more horribly rocky trails ...

That's the worst of them.

As to the other bad one, I'd say after the Cruz de Ferro, at the end of the plateau up there switch from trail to tarmac at least to El Acebo.

 

[VNwalking]

I need to be mindful of not pushing myself so much that I relapse, but not trying to be so comfortable to the point of avoiding challenges, thus stunting my growth.

Again, wise.
Fortunately you're on a camino that will allow some flexibility so you can go quiet if you need to.

I just don’t want any more horribly rocky trails…

As @JabbaPapa said, you're pretty much out of the woods for the time being, quite a while, in fact. And by the time you get to the Cruz de Ferro, you'll have had a few more weeks under your belt.

 

[hfleming]

Note: I wrote a lengthy post yesterday about day 6 but it seems stuck in the uploading mode, not sure how to fix it.

Day 7: Puente la Reina to Estella, 14.5 miles, took me 11 hours!!! Eleven freaking hours!!!!!!

As seems to be the pattern, mornings on the Camino are fine. It was a beautiful, cool morning, and a passerby pilgrim couple took my pic as I left Puente La Reina. I set off enthusiastically. I can walk at a brisk pace, and while I do struggle with the climbs and the terrain, I can recover fairly quickly. The first climb to Mañeru was difficult, but it was fairly early in the day. When I got there, I found a nice little park with picnic tables, so I took advantage of that to check on my feet, apply Vaseline for blister prevention, adjust my gear, fill the water bottle. This nice couple shows up, and they were PRs like me! So we took a selfie showing the 3 of us around my backpack which had the PR flag. Then I walked some more, coming up to the stunningly beautiful town of Ciriaqui. I stopped there for a Coke, but the town was deserted. Along the way, I struck conversations with a German guy who eventually moved on, and later on with a Finnish guy, this latter one helped me pass the aftas we talked about our countries, with some of the hard to avoid politics.

We eventually reached the tiny town of Lorca, where he was staying. By that time, after gulping a Coke And an Aquarius, I was passing by sn Albergue snd and a sweet Cinise young woman let me use their bathroom, filled my water bottle, and I bought some chocolate/vanilla ice cream sandwich which felt heavenly.

I debated whether I should stop there for the day, as I wasn’t sure I could make it to Estella, but I thought I could make it to Villatuerta. The path was actually very smooth and flat, but when I got there, I tried calling an albergue but no answer. The doors were closed. I called a different albergue and I was told that because of the religious weekend holiday, everything was closed but there was a huge party in time. An overheated exhausted pilgrim didn’t seem to be high on their priority list, and I had no choice but to continue to Estella, which thankfully was just 2.6 Km (I think) away. I called ahead and they had beds at the Hospital de Perrgrinos, which is the Municipal Albergue.

So I dragged my sorry exhausted pilgrim ass towards Estella, cursing and wondering why earth I’m doing this. There were some rough, tricky spots, but nothing I haven’t encountered before. It probably felt worse because of the tiredness, the heat of the day, and because I was in a foul mood, but it really wasn’t that far away, so eventually I arrived at Estella. After a hot shower and eating a dinner of Pasta Carbonars, I’m feeling better,trying to think of my strategy for tomorrow. I’ll probably do just a half day. BTW, while the cPAP machine did feel heavier, I seem to be fine with it.

I also re-encountered a lady I met at SJPDP, so that was a great morale booster after feeling left behind by others. But right now I feel too exhausted to socialize, and I’m trying to figure how to best plan my walking days.

I expected hardship, so I figure this experience will show me my true limits and potential.

Link to my FB post: https://www.facebook.com/share/gTfBfHFmgUPmGM6o/?mibextid=WC7FNe

11 hour day?! Hector you're an absolute beast! Of course you're feeling the effects of that and need to figure out how this is not your new normal. For me it was booking ahead - even if I had to upgrade to a pension or other private lodging. Yes this will cost more but what's it worth to have secure lodging? You're doing great!

 

[Kathor1]

I just don’t want any more horribly rocky trails…

Hi Hector! Just to confirm what others have already said: There will be more stones on your way to Santiago and there will be sections that others have found difficult but they are a long way ahead of you. The descent from the Cruz de Ferro and later another descent to Molinaseca/Ponferrada are sections that some people find difficult but it is nothing like the descent from the Alto del Perdon which is steep and has a lot of loose stones. You did well be taking it slowly. Bravo! (I am one of those who skipped down and bathed in the admiration of others but I've had prior experience with this kind of territory and surface cover).

A heartfelt Buen Camino to you! If you have the time then take as much time as it suits you and as much rest as it suits you!

 

[CWBuff]

Re: horrible rocky trails.... while as mentioned above you are out of the woods for the time being, please understand that some parts of the walk may still be not 100% to your liking.
There still will be mole hills, and loose rocks, and very narrow paths where sometimes it very hard to put one foot next to another, and tree roots, and cow chips ... and not so mole hills (I remember struggling going ip the hill before San Juan de Ortega; IIRC 7km it was with a 5km drop on the other side).
Again- do not "wish" for things to be or not to be but simply embrace your daily happening.
It's like the AA Creed - God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and. Wisdom to know the difference. - accept the things you cannot change. ..
One foot in front of the others
Take time to smell the roses, but not too much time
Do shorter stages for a bit
Make some ahead reservations
Did I mentioned to accept the things you cannot change?

All of us are telling you that you are doing fine. More than fine. Each of us went through pretty much the same adjustment period; sometimes we had 'problems ' quite far along' on The Way... it's what makes The Camino special... You are FINE, you are STRONG, you are RESILIENT, you are A PILGRIM!!!!!! YOU KNOW YOU CAN!!!!

Good luck and Buen Camino

P.S. I wonder if Hector stopped at Irache and it changed his mood for the day and maybe the backpack "miraculously became lighter"

 

[wabana]

Poco a poco… paso y paso
Buen camino

 

[HBS60]

P.S. I wonder if Hector stopped at Irache and it changed his mood for the day and maybe the backpack "miraculously became lighter"

I’m…yes, I did. Normally I shun alcohol but would make an exception every few years, and I think this qualifies.

 

[Septarian]

Finally, finally, FINALLy I made it to Estella and checked into the Municipal Albergue
More later (or tomorrow). It took me 11 hours! I tried to stop at Villatuerta because I was exhausted, but one albergue didn’t answer, the second albergue told me that everything was closed because of the religious holiday and that there was a huge party in town, so this exhausted pilgrim must walk a few more kilometers in this infernal heat.
I’m not a happy camper at the moment. I need to shower, eat, try to u wind and process. I see like 34 notifications but I don’t have the energy right now.
I don’t think I can do this or that I have what it takes. More later…

Oh, you can. I thought that too. Don’t give up.

 

[HBS60]

Copied from my FB

Day 8: Estella to Villamayor de Monjardín.

I decided to take a very short walk day, but not a full rest day, because I want to feel I’m still making progress. So I got a boost when, walking out of Estella, I came across a couple of signs stating I’ve walked 100 km, good to know on the day I start my second week.

Maybe it was not a coincidence that I went by the famed Bodega Irache and, although normally I shun alcohol, I did take a sip and it was heavenly. I also bought a pendant from the blacksmith next door, something I’ve been wanting for a while.

The trail was fairly easy for the most part, but it was more challenging as I approached Asqueta. The terrain wasn’t too bad but steep, and I got a sweeping vista of Navarra’s mountains and valleys.

I had a snack at Asqueta, a ración of potato croquetas. I decided to call an albergue in the next town, and fortunately they did have beds, so I took one. It took me about 45 min to an hour to make the steep climb to Villamayor de Monjardin in a very steep and very rocky terrain, but I knew the end was in sight.

I was the first one in the albergue, and it was nice to just relax, shower, set up my cPAP, hand wash and tend them to dry (I still need to learn better handwashing techniques.

A new bunkmate came in, we were just chatting away, then I went outside, sat for a little while, went to the store, bought a few snacks and drinks for tomorrow, now I’m just relaxing. This is the typical pilgrim day I have been hoping for.

While there are certainly challenging parts of the Camino, nothing has been impossible as long as I take my time.

I’ll take a nap now, and we’ll see where I’ll go tomorrow…

FB link for pics and videos: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ddoh1vLhgDF94Jew/?mibextid=WC7FNe

 

[J Willhaus]

Copied from my FB (which I accidentally posted before finishing adding pics, there might be an update)

Day 8: Estella to Villamayor de Monjardín.

I decided to take a very short walk day, but not a full rest day, because I want to feel I’m still making progress. So I got a boost when, walking out of Estella, I came across a couple of signs stating I’ve walked 100 km, good to know on the day I start my second week.

Maybe it was not a coincidence that I went by the famed Bodega Irache and, although normally I shun alcohol, I did take a sip and it was heavenly. I also bought a pendant from the blacksmith next door, something I’ve been wanting for a while.

The trail was fairly easy for the most part, but it was more challenging as I approached Asqueta. The terrain wasn’t too bad but steep, and I got a sweeping vista of Navarra’s mountains and valleys.

I had a snack at Asqueta, a ración of potato croquetas. I decided to call an albergue in the next town, and fortunately they did have beds, so I took one. It took me about 45 min to an hour to make the steep climb to Villamayor de Monjardin in a very steep and very rocky terrain, but I knew the end was in sight.

I was the first one in the albergue, and it was nice to just relax, shower, set up my cPAP, hand wash and tend them to dry (I still need to learn better handwashing techniques.

A new bunkmate came in, we were just chatting away, then I went outside, sat for a little while, went to the store, bought a few snacks and drinks for tomorrow, now I’m just relaxing. This is the typical pilgrim day I have been hoping for.

While there are certainly challenging parts of the Camino, nothing has been impossible as long as I take my time.

I’ll take a nap now, and we’ll see where I’ll go tomorrow…

FB link for pics and videos: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ddoh1vLhgDF94Jew/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Yes, this is how I like my Camino as well.

 

[Camo]

I decided to take a very short walk day, but not a full rest day

This seems a good sign that you consider 9 km now to be VERY short when it is actually half a "normal day". The Google person is meant to take 2 hours 10 minutes so how long did it take you?

 

[CWBuff]

Awesome!
Now will it be Los Arcos (12 km) or Torres del Rio (19km)?
Perhaps stay on short distances for one more day?
Go to Los Arcos and then try to make it to Viana (18km)
Call ahead for reservations if need be.

Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[trecile]

Now will it be Los Arcos (12 km) or Torres del Rio (19km)?

Or Sansol, where I've stayed three times at the lovely Casa Rural El Olivo de Sansol. It's like staying in Grandma's house. The Palacio de Sansol albergue also received high marks from the pilgrims that I met who stayed there.

 

[trecile]

Héctor has started a new thread for his continuing journey: Héctor Walks His Way-Week 2