D-Day

Today we depart for Spain and our venture on the Camino. Everything has been double checked - back packs all ready - verified weights - too heavy - what to remove - nothing! To our surprise our last minute essentials like medicines, towels, bar soap, clothes pins added a few pounds not previously accounted for. It is what it is - we will walk as it is.

Arlene's pack is about 6 Kg - Dale's a little over 7 Kg - still respectable.  As we walk we know that some of what is pictured above will diminish - like the bar of soap and the prayer cards we will be handing out. Boarding passes are printed - passports in hand - 7 hours from now we will be on our way to the airport.  Knowing that the home is secure with our house sitter and other friends taking care of little chores while we are gone gives us peace of mind. Earlier tonight we stopped by to say goodbye to a friend - John - who is in the midst of walking his final Camino to God.  We pray that his journey is smooth and brings him eternal peace. That is about all that any of us can ask - peace - not as the world gives - but as Jesus gives. Our next post will be from Pamplona.

Buen Camino
Dale and Arlene

One Day

One Day - that is all it takes to do almost anything. One day to start a new job - one day to cut the grass - one day to make a new friend - one day to fall in love. So many things happen in our lives in one day - great things and not so great.  It is almost midnight Friday and we have one day left before we leave for Spain. Eleven months of preparation - eleven months of research - eleven months of training - all comes together in one day. The training is done - the shopping is done - the testing is done. One day - final assembly of our stuff sacks - loading the backpack one last time.

One day and we will begin the adventure of a lifetime - walking the Camino. It is hard to believe that we are at the point of starting this. We are excited - we are open to whatever God has in store for us. All we can say is - One Day!

Buen Camino

Dale and Arlene 

Back to the Future

Four days to departure - checking our gear list making sure everything is in order. Sprayed the travel sacks (sleeping bags) and back pack with Permethrin today to protect us from bugs - especially bed bugs in the albergues.  Made a few last minute purchases - getting ready to pack our back packs - double checking reservations - getting excited. To really get us mentally prepared for our lengthy stay in Spain on the Camino we are relaxing and watching The Way - for the seventh time :)  watching the movie that started us on this road back in October 2012. Once more going back to that fateful day and our first viewing - looking to an awesome future in Spain.

Scene shot from The Way

When we pack our back packs we will take some photos of our gear and include a final list and the weight. For the casual observer - it will mean nothing - for other peregrinos - everything. For the past eleven months we have become a part of the Camino community - the Facebook groups - the Camino Forum - sharing information - asking questions - getting advice.  Now to take all this preparation and apply it - no longer a theoretical discussion - now it gets very real!

Buen Camino

Dale and Arlene

@CaminoWalkers 

Old McDonald Had Some Gear...

Like Old McDonald we feel that we have  - here a pig there a pig - or more accurately - here some gear there some gear - coming out of our ears.  Another day closer to departure and we are still adding to our list of equipment for our 500 mile walking adventure in Spain.  We pray that we will have everything we need by Wednesday.  Air tickets - all set. Train tickets to Pamplona - all set. Train tickets from Santiago back to Madrid - all set. Now to figure out where we will lay our heads the first night in Spain and the second and the third - only time will tell.

                                                                      

One final training walk on Wednesday - then we pack everything for an early Sunday morning departure to the airport.  Hoping you will follow this blog and look for us on Twitter @CaminoWalkers

Buen Camio

Dale and Arlene

Hill Training

Today we set out to do some specific training on hills.  Although we did some hill work while we were in the Galena territory in northern Illinois - we have not had a chance to do much hill training since. Today we finally found time to visit the Harris Forest Preserve in Yorkville. It was a very nice day - not very hot - mostly sunny.  Using a ap on my iPhone called Theodolite - I was able to determine the slope of the sledding hill to be anywhere from a 12 to 15 degree elevation.  

Hill training not only involved the basic trekking up and down the hill - but how to do that. It is not just learning how to walk - smaller strides - but also using your trekking poles.  On a small slope such as this we left our poles normal length - but for the downhills we lengthened the poles to help control our descent.  Different people have different ideas which way is best - the truth is - you go with what works best for you.  The most direct way is to walk straight up or down a hill. Others would walk on diagonals - going left and right - more steps involved but easier - especially on the down slope. We did this section - about 1 kilometer - both ways three times before heading out for some trail walking.  

Discovering some wooded trails for trekkers and horses - we decided to walk a lollipop loop - carefully avoiding tree roots - ground branches and road apples.  

 It was a nice walk - no mosquitoes - and finally came back to the sledding hill where we did one more walk up and down the hill to call it a day.  Pleasant surroundings for an afternoon trek - made for a fun and productive afternoon. 

Final distance today we estimate at maybe 8 kilometers or 5 miles.  Time is running short and our training days are coming to an end.  Eleven days to departure and the real thing!

Buen Camino

Dale and Arlene 

Will Nice Looking Calves Guarantee A Good Camino

I find it interesting that when we took a group of Trekkers both times we walked El Camino de Los Santos somebody in the group made the comment about how nice they thought my calves looked - that is what I get for leading the group - being in front of people opens a person to many comments behind their back.  Trying to set and maintain a steady pace that would be comfortable for everyone is not as easy as one would think - so I find it funny that while I was trying to find that stride - I was being checked out from those behind.

                                                           

Although the calves may have looked nice - what they should have been concerned about was my feet - were they cool and comfortable - or was heat becoming an issue.  The first group camino that we led was only 8½ miles so everyone did well.  The second group camino of 17 miles was another story - so after walking approximately 120 miles training with no blisters - on this one single walk I finally developed my first blister!  Yes - I was disappointed that it happened - at the same time I am glad that it happened at home and with new knowledge - hope to avoid a reoccurrence in Spain.  Here is a hint - change into dry socks the minute your feet feel damp - if double socks cramp the toes then only wear one pair and take advantage of a generous toe box and do not fill it with wool.

Getting closer to departure - finally bought our plane tickets - before we know it we will be there!

Buen Camino

Dale and Arlene

Another Long Day

This past Saturday - August 3rd - we took our longest training walk to date - El Camino de los Santos.  Following 8:00 am morning Mass - complete with a pilgrim's blessing at Saint Patrick Church by Father Michael Callea, MIC - we left for the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Plano, IL.  

Pilgrims on city streets

Accompanied by four peregrinas - we made our way  through the city streets of Yorkville - walking across a freshly harvested field of wheat - down country roads - stopping at the Brummel Farm to borrow bathroom facilities - finishing the trek on the city streets of Plano to arrive at Saint Mary Church where we met Deacon Doug Wells at the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  

Deacon Dale - Barb - Lourdes - Donna - Sarah - Arlene - at Plano shrine

During the morning part of the trek we were met by our support person - Dee Taylor - who stamped our credencials at each of the four check points and carried spare drinking water. 

Dee applying sello on Barb's credencial

Receiving the fourth "sello" we found a shady piece of grass where we enjoyed a lunch break and were greeted by Father Matt Lamoureux, MIC - pastor of Saint Patrick Parish. Receiving a blessing from Father Matt - we headed out on the return trek back to Yorkville to visit the site of the future shrine of Saint Gianna Molla. 

Deacon Dale - Arlene - Donna - Barb - Sarah - Lourdes -  at site in Yorkville

Ending the day in very good spirits - everyone commented on being able to walk the complete trek.  As for Arlene and myself - we again picked up more information - about ourselves and where our comfort levels are - in regards to length of each segment - making final decisions on how far we wish to walk before we take a break and total distance to be covered in a single day.  

Buen Camino
Dale and Arlene 

Flying With Eagles

When anyone says they are flying with eagles - they mean that they have reached a lofty goal.  Today was the test that we have been looking forward to - spending all day walking - seeing how well we would do - how our gear would work - how prepared we were.  Of course - we wanted to be at this point - we wanted to do well - without any issues - and we did! 

As we were making our second trek of the day - we saw three eagles soaring overhead - thus the reason for the post title.  Our plan today was to walk three segments - each two hours in length - and we did just that. We came in just shy of the 6 hour mark but did manage to walk a total of 16 miles (26 km).  At this point we feel that we are ready for the Camino.  

Training is a constant with us now - heading to the Camino - we know we will be prepared.

Buen Camino

Dale and Arlene 

Why Walk?

Why walk the Camino - don't we have something better to do with our lives?  Good question - hopefully this is a good answer.  As both of us get older - some would say we are already old - we ponder the question of our individual lives - what have we done with our lives - what were we suppose to do - have we done everything we could?  Rather than take up a place on the back deck - we both feel that we have much to offer.  Walking the Camino will give each of us time to converse openly - with each other - with other peregrinos - time to reflect - to think - to pray - to listen - to others - to nature - to God.

We walk to celebrate 44 years of a great marriage - the joke was I told friends I was taking Arlene to Spain for our 44th anniversary - then I told her - walking 500 miles!  I walk to ponder and reflect on completing 25 years as an ordained Roman Catholic deacon - my failures and successes.  We walk to share the message that "with God - all things are possible".  Finally we walk to introduce people to one of our newest saints - Saint Gianna Beretta Molla - a pro-life saint - an Italian doctor - wife - mother - who gave her life - that another would live.  We go to spread the Gospel message of God's awesome love for all his people - not just Christians - but all.  As we walk we will carry with us prayers requested by others - prayers of our own - prayers for our world.  As we meet others we will be sharing cards that we made up - so that they may keep in contact with us - to continue the Camino experience well into the future.  On the back of that card - we have also created a prayer card for Saint Gianna - we hope by offering these - that in some small way - we might help make the world a better place for us all.  For the Camino is an individual experience - that in one way or another - touches the lives of all.

 Why walk? What else could we do - now that we know what we do.

Buen Camino
Dale and Arlene 

Gotta Love Them

OK - this may seem a bit commercial - but we have to state that we absolutely love the folks at REI - they are so helpful and cooperative.  Their return policy is so awesome - as we have been buying and returning different products from them over the past ten months since we made the decision to walk the Camino.  I am happy to state that we have finally settled on our trekking shoes.  While we thought that we needed high top boots - we have learned through this testing process that lower cut hiking shoes is best for us and our feet.  Happy feet means a better chance that walking 500 miles (800 kilometers) should be much more possible for this older couple.  Our final choice - Patagonia Drifter A/C hiking shoes. 

These are about two-thirds the weight of hiking boots - both of us hate heavy shoes - have a very strong Vibram sole - a generous toe box and are water resistant.  Walking in these is a real pleasure. We took a maiden walk in them yesterday - right out of the box - and walked 4½ miles (7 km).  No hot spots - no toe banging - just comfort - if we had more time we could have walked two or three times that before taking a break.  We have read in reviews on this particular shoe that most people were able to start walking in them with no break-in period - another plus.  We will give them a final test as we take a 17 mile (27 km) walk in a few days and repeat it Saturday August 3rd as we walk El Camino de los Santos

We are getting much closer to departure on our Camino - now that we have resolved an unexpected stomach issue - and our doctors have all given their enthusiastic approval.  Until next time...

Buen Camino

Dale and Arlene

A Walk in The Park

No we did not walk in a park but our walking trek today took us to a part of Kendall county that we have not visited previously.  The goal was to walk for a few hours - checking out our newest hiking shoes with full back packs.  With water - my pack came in at 14 pounds (6.4 kilos) and Arlene's was 13 pounds (5.9 kilos) and that was with our trekking poles strapped to the sides. So as far as pack weight - I think we are very close to our target goal.  The good news is that we were able to maintain a steady pace with some bursts of fast walking mixed in with a slower pace as we looked at sites we had not seen before. 

 My Trekking Partners Being Silly

 Walking on Asphalt Not My Favorite 

 

 Off Road A Pleasant Discovery 

 According To My Friend This White Flower Is A Natural Mosquito Repellent 

 Nice View With Water 

 Purple Surprise

 Very Calm & Restful 

 Trekking in Fields 

 Herons? in the Distance

 Back on Asphalt 

Hidden Path - No Vehicles

After two hours of walking we covered 5.6 miles (9 kilometers) and no foot problems - no blisters.  In the process we discovered a new neighborhood which we visited for the first time and a nice pond complete with wild flowers and herons - the lone eagle flew away before I could get a photo.  On the walk back we discovered an empty road - the victim of the economic down turn from a few years ago - the basic circle for that development stands as a lone survivor of an attempt to build a senior community.  We had no idea that this roadway was even there. With no vehicles it is a very flat place to walk or run in complete safety. 

Today was a successful day - good weather - no issue with the new shoes - good pack weight - so at this point we will keep up the walking - building our endurance - getting ourselves ready for a three day marathon next week and our second trek on El Camino de los Santos.

Buen Camino
Dale and Arlene 

One Step Forward.....

Everyone knows the phrase "One step forward - two steps back".  Well that is kind of how both of us are feeling right now.  After testing different hiking boots - we felt we were all set - until - the dreaded "black toe" - known all too well by marathon runners and serious hikers alike.  We thought that we had solved all our issues with our third pair of boots.  That is until we took a longer hike - the "half" camino that we did July 6th.  So discovering that issue - we returned to our favorite REI store to investigate more boots.  At the same time Arlene was coping with her black toe - I was beginning to have issues with tight toes - the toe box in my boots seemed to be shrinking by the day.  So Arlene picked up a pair of low cut Patagonia Drifter AC while I opted for a pair of North Face Hedgehog GTX. 

Patagonia Drifter AC

North Face Hedgehog GTX

The good news is that the wider toe box in the Patagonia Drifters seem to have solved Arlene's black toe issues - she now has more wiggle room.  Although the North Face felt good on my feet in the store - I quickly discovered that the sole was not hard enough for what I wanted. One of my tests with foot wear has been to intentionally step on gravel pebbles on asphalt.  If I can step on pebbles and feel nothing then that is good - unfortunately I could feel the sole of the North Face flex around the pebble and I could feel the pebble trying to poke through the sole. That was a definite failure so the next day back to REI - love their generous return policy - to buy a pair of men's Patagonia Drifter AC for myself.  So now Arlene is 98 percent sure that her Patagonia's are her hiking shoes -  but I am still making test walks to see if I can be happy with mine.  After walking with a mid-height boot over the past few months -  it is different walking in a low cut hiking shoe. 

One constant debate among those who have walked or are training to walk the Camino is foot wear. Hiking boots - full - mid-height - low cut - versus hiking shoes and even trail runners - all seem to be equally popular and depending on who you discuss this with - the perfect shoe/boot.  In reality it all comes down to proper fit - comfort - personal preference. So we are finding out what we prefer. The same goes for our socks - do we need the very thick wool socks we started with - or can we go with a mid-weight. Decisions - decisions. That is one thing  that the Camino has taught us already - do not get upset when a previous decision has to be revisited and a new decision made - sometimes completely contrary to the initial decision. On the Camino we will have to "go with the flow" - a lesson that should be applied to everyday life.

In time - all this will work itself out - until then - we do what we do best - we walk.

Buen Camino

Dale and Arlene

Fruitful Training

When a person trains for anything - a sporting event - a concert - rehearsing lines for a play - it is always better when that training effort produces good results. When others share in the benefits of that training - then that is what I call fruitful training - like a bunch of grapes that all benefit from the same nutrition supplied by the trunk of the one plant.  Last Saturday - while doing another training trek - we had the pleasure of being joined by eighteen other people on that trek.  Twenty people in total - all gained and learned from our one training event. As always - on any training event - lessons are learned - issues revisited - new ideas shared - new possibilities presented.  Our "half" camino of El Camino de los Santos - some 8½ miles - 13 kilometers - again revealed possibilities that we had not thought of previously.  Now we take those new insights and again we investigate - rethink - explore - new possibilities. As we come to new conclusions - we will share on our blog.

Needless to say - those walking with us - all had a great time and now have a new respect and understanding of walking on pilgrimage.  Now we are no longer "those crazy people" - rather innovative leaders.  We are pleased that those who walked - are so pleased with their effort and outcome.  For pictures of that event please visit our sister blog: El Camino de los Santos

Buen Camino
Dale and Arlene 

Hitting the Wall

In endurance sports such as cycling and running - hitting the wall - describes a condition caused by the depletion of glycogen stores in the liver and muscles - which manifests itself by sudden fatigue and loss of energy. Milder instances can be remedied by brief rest and the ingestion of food or drinks containing carbohydrates. The condition can usually be avoided by ensuring that glycogen levels are high when the exercise begins - maintaining glucose levels during exercise by eating or drinking carbohydrate-rich substances or by reducing exercise intensity.

Although we are not running or cycling - we are doing endurance walking or trekking. Today I had the dubious pleasure (?) of hitting the wall. Today was a test hike of El Camino de los Santos.  The first part of the trek to Saint Mary Church went well - the return trek not as well.  At 13 miles or 21 kilometers - I had to call it quits. I suddenly lost all energy - began to have visual issues - did not feel well.

Failure? - not really - that is why we refer to these treks as "training" walks.  This is how we learn what to do - how to take corrective action - how to avoid issues. It is through these experiences here at home that we can prepare ourselves for the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain.  Too often - we read in various forums and Camino groups - of those who trained poorly - hit the wall - and returned home disappointed at their failure.  Better to fail - learn and correct - here at home - than to fail in Spain.

What I learned - 1) have breakfast - today I started walking on an empty stomach - serious error - 2) take a lunch break and actually eat - I did take a break but only ate a handful of grapes - 3) drink water and take electrolyte replacements - I drank plenty of water - but only plain water.  Lessons learned - nutrition is not just a word but an action - I need to plan better and not short-cut on nutrition.

In spite of hitting the wall - today was a great experience.  We made the trek to Saint Mary in approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes which had us walking at 2.75 miles per hour and within our estimate of 3½ hours. Once we arrived at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe - we relaxed - removed our socks - ate our lunch (as little as it was) - drank water - and spent time in prayer.

 Dale Walking the Rosary

 Arlene Praying at Shrine 

One thing we learned today is that the bricks at the Shrine are layed out so that a Rosary encircles the Shrine - so Dale "walked" the Rosary in his bare feet - the pavers were cool under foot - walking on pavers had a "pilgrimage" feel.  Arlene found a spot where she spent her time in private prayer - kneeling on the paver blocks - another "pilgrimage" feel. This is a nice Shrine - plenty of room for many people. A place to relax and sit - to meditate - to eat a light lunch - to connect to God. 

Thirty minutes later we resumed our trek back to our starting point. We did not complete that part - we fell about 4 miles short - still we walked a little over 13 miles - about 21 kilometers - and over all a good training walk - our longest walk to date.  We still have about six weeks before we leave - six weeks to continue training - six weeks to better learn our limits - six weeks to learn our capabilities - six weeks to contemplate El Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

Buen Camino

Dale and Arlene