Reaching a Choice Point Walking The Camino

​On Day Three walking...
I injured my knee...

Decision time
came on Day 11

On The Camino you can choose how to walk. There are baggage companies who will move your pack/luggage from place to place. The service is 5-7 euro a day and seems to be quite reliable. They pick it up from your alburgue (pilgrim hostel), guest house or hotel. Of course to do this you need to have a destination. Most private alburgues take reservations so some people choose to reserve places and ship their bags the entire way. 

When I decided to walk The Camino, it was my intent to have no plans. I wanted to let each day unfold as my stride and rhythm asked. Then, on day three I injured my knee going too fast on a steep downhill. This has slowed me down and required a couple of shorter days and a couple of rest days. The good news is I am sure it is a ligament/muscle strain and not the knee joint its self. I am fine walking flat or uphill but downhill is quite painful. I have been managing by carefully giving it my attention and I have learned how to ‘walk around’ it.

A few days ago, after about a 10 mile day, I hobbled into Vilamayor de Monjardin and knew it was time to do something different. The next 2 days I shipped my pack ahead and then ended up in the large city of Logrono where I decided to rest my knee for a day, do laundry and make a decision on how I would proceed. Walking without my pack for 2 days felt physically great but it also felt strange to not have it for the things I use it for during the day. In Logrono I reached a choice point.

I have no direct attachment to carrying my own pack. I don't need to ‘carry my sins’ as some of the ancient pilgrims did, as a way of atonement. My biggest attachment to carrying my own pack is that I do not have to plan/book ahead. Even in those couple days, I felt the emotional ‘weight’ of doing so.

So yesterday in Logrono I sat with all my options: Continue to carry my pack and walk shorter days. Ship my pack. Or…. Lighten my pack. I started with 17 pounds and added one pair of running pants and one cotton t-shirt that I have been sleeping in.
 
I spread everything out and felt what my Heart and body wanted. The answer was clear. I do not want to plan ahead each day any more than a general idea or intent. That left only one option. Let go of some weight. I looked at each thing and considered how or if I had used it up to that point. My desire to carry my own pack and the flexibility it gave me made the ‘get rid of’ easier. The ‘let go of’ pile grew. While I do not have the place to weigh it… I think I eliminated a third or more of the weight.

What do I have left? (My original list)
2 Patagonia Neo-puff jackets (one makes a great pillow one can be a blanket)
Rain jacket
2 shirts
2 pair running pants
light quick dry skirt
Ibuprofen, Zycam, Amoxicillin (all loose in a small ziplock)
A few bandaids, breathe-right strips
3 pair socks
2 pair underwear 
1 bra
Slippahs’ (thongs)
extra pair of running shoes (these will probably go soon)
This computer/charger
iPhone/charger
​Dr Bronners soap, toothbrush, paste, small tube sunscreen
Hair brush and a few hair ties
Collapsable cup, spork, knife (titanium, very light)
3 stuff bags
Tilly hat, sunglasses
Walking poles
Soft knee brace

Much of this I am wearing while I walk!

Today I walked 10 miles with my new lighter pack and while my knee still talks downhill, it does so quietly and I feel great!

Rearrange… Shift… Respond…

Shedding…. Shedding… Shedding… 

And The Way Continues…

(Saw this sign today...)