Training...

And so it begins.

As some of you know, when I attempted this walk some six and a half years ago, I was young, and had no idea what I was getting into. Don't get me wrong...I was passionate and embarking on the journey for all the right reasons, but I did not prepare myself physically at all. Yes, I backpacked for 2 months leading up to the commencement of The Camino, but I had not learned enough about my own body and the toll hiking some 6-8 hours a day every consecutive day for 30 days would have on me. That's another point: I was attempting to finish the walk in 30 days. Now for an experienced hiker, that would be the right amount of time, but for someone like me, it was CRAZY! So, this time around I'm giving myself 40 days, so that I won't have to walk more than 25km per day.

Tomorrow, the training begins. Since I am off work Sundays and Mondays, I am using those days for the bulk of my work. Sundays I will walk with my man for 2-5 hours along the lake. Mondays I will walk the same distance, but carry my backpack and the weight I will be carrying with me on The Camino. During the work week, I will be eating lighter (gotta prepare my stomach too), drinking lots of water, taking the stairs when I am coming UP to my apartment (9floors), and doing some sort of exercise anytime I want to turn the tv on. I will also be brushing up on my Spanish and reading anything and everything I can get my hands on about The Camino.

What to expect in my posts over the next 6 weeks...Every Sunday I will be posting a starting weight for that week. Daily, I will be recording how much water I drink and what I eat, as well as any form of physical activity (besides being on my feet all day at work...lol...). Obviously I hope to be posting more than just the facts...My journey does not begin on September 4th when I begin walking. It begins NOW.