Foot Issues

Probably the biggest concern for anyone walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela is foot issues. Blisters - tired achy feet - tight shoes - and other issues that pop up out of no where.  So I thought I had that all under control until this past weekend. I participated in the March of Dimes March for Babies - a simple 3.1 mile walk. It was slow going with thousands of people walking - pushing baby strollers - long lines at the rest stops. It was not until near the end that I started experiencing a funny sensation in the balls of my feet. Upon investigation - I discovered some serious issues that might be the cause of my problem. Rather than second guess any doctors or read too much into what happened - I will wait until tomorrow morning at which time I will get a real diagnosis.  At this point I am praying it is something simple that I can do to correct this issue. It is still about four months before we leave for Spain and after spending all this time preparing - now is not the time for any major issues.

Foot health is so important - I can only encourage others who are also preparing or thinking about preparing for an adventure like the Camino - to pay attention to their feet - to be sure you get the correct footwear - and to take the time to test and break them in before leaving for locations far distant. 

4/30/13 Follow up - saw the doctor today and good news no major problem. Seems that the fat pad under the ball of my feet tends to slip forward and cause the weird feeling. All I need to do is add a metatarsal pad to my insoles and that should correct this issue. Keep the fat where it belongs and happy feet!

5/6/13 Follow up - was able to get out for a 4K walk today - the bunching feeling did not happen - looks like the pad solved that foot issue.- now to continue with even longer walks. Camino here we come!

Buen Camino
Dale & Arlene 

Special Training Feature

As part of our training for El Camino de Santiago de Compostela I am designing my own original Camino in Illinois. This will be a one day walking experience from St Patrick Church in Yorkville, Illinois to St Mary Church in Plano, Illinois. St Mary Church will be dedicating their new Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in May 2013 and on April 28, 2013 St Patrick Church will be dedicating the site of their future Shrine for St Gianna Beretta Molla. Eventually St Patrick will have the Shrine completed - hopefully later this year - and my hope is that my "El Camino de los Santos" - The Way of the Saints - will become an annual pilgrimage for the parishioners of each parish.  

 The "Camino" is approximately 13.6 Kilometers (8.5 miles) one way so walking both directions will approximate one days walk in in Spain.  Total time about 5 to 6 hours depending on pace. At a 3 miles per hour rate I would expect closer to 6 or 7 hours total time for the day - allowing for rest breaks and lunch time. 

Buen Camino

Deacon Dale 

Back on Track

After a cold and windy winter - we are now back on track to pickup our training where we left off. Springtime offers us the climate similar to that which we anticipate on the Camino. Almost all of our gear has now been checked out and either replaced or stored for our walk. We have been reading posts on Facebook from those who are either currently walking or leaving within the next month for their Caminos and we are starting to get anxious to start our own. We do have a timetable and other commitments that need to be setttled before we can leave - so in the meantime we walk and do other training.

For those who are already walking - we offer our prayers for a safe trip and a rewarding experience.

Buen Camino
Dale and Arlene