Day 7: Burgos to Castrojeriz

27 miles, 1,350’ vertical, 7:30 moving

Mind

It was the shortest, longest day.

Last night I slept great. I woke up to angelic music at 7am (later start than usual, but the standard at this hostel), had a nice breakfast and put on my shoes outside. In the first step, I had pain in my right shin. I knew immediately that today was going to be a walking day. I didn’t even try to run.

Today was the first day of the Meseta section of the Camino. This is a higher area, ~3,000 feet, that has slightly rolling hills, rocky, not as good of soil, and few trees. Christina from Barcelona mentioned that it was very green right now, but in a month it will turn yellow. It sounds a lot like the Bay Area/Central Valley of California.

Most guide books talk about how this area can be very hot, but today is the coldest day so far. Since I was walking, at one point I had all my layers on but one. I didn’t bring pants, but I can see why you would if you were walking. Even injured, I still walk faster than most people (also because of the light pack). I was able to talk with Steve from Kansas and Utah. He was a marathon runner but had an issue with his veins in his spine that caused damage to the nerves in his legs. The nerves no longer fire his muscles very well in his legs, particularly is right leg, but he’s hiking the Camino at his pace. We had a great conversation and I think we both walked away inspired by each other.

Body

I’ve been lucky enough to never have shin splints, but I think I have shin splints. So I walked because it’s still a long way to Santiago. It took me about 8 hours cover 27 miles. This usually takes me ~6. I was fine with walking. I wasn’t frustrated at the ‘slow’ pace. I was very accepting … except the slight wish that I would have started earlier if I knew I was walking. It was a different pace today, including a few more short stops, more eating, but not a 20-30 minute stop like when I run.

I found a hotel and checked in for two nights. I showered, had dinner, and took a bath (I couldn’t find Epsom salt, so ‘the internet’ told me sea salt was the second best). I slept for 8-9 hours. It’s amazing how easily we can hold ourselves together when we need to … and let ourselves go when we don’t. I felt really tired and didn’t do many of the things I normally do, like washing my clothes and writing. I did try to take care of my body, icing my leg, elevating, rolling out. But just the bare minimum.

I assume the shin pain is related to the foot tendon issue I had two days ago, but now just moving up my leg. I worry a little that it could progress into a bone issue, not just a muscle issue. (Last night was the first time I didn’t use the anti-inflammatory cream before bed. I thought the tendon was good. Maybe, maybe not!

Spirit

At breakfast, they gave each of us a piece of paper with a saying.

When the heart begins to open, you accept the world as it is. When the heart embraces the world as it is, it changes the world.

It might have been this quote that made it so easy for me to accept that I was walking today. It’s also good for me because I struggle with self-doubt and questioning of my decisions. (you’ve all read about this ?) I can’t think of one time questioning my previous decisions helped me, but yet I can’t stop doing it. I need to work on accepting the world as it is, including me and everything that happened in the past to bring me to where I am now.

I stopped to pray at a small chapel dedicated to Mary alongside the Camino. As I was leaving, a small woman in the corner beckoned to me. She was a nun that wanted to stamp my pilgrim passport, which she did. Then she put a string necklace with a medal of Mary over my head and around my neck. I couldn’t fully understand her – I think she said a small prayer – but I could feel her love pouring out to me. Right after I left the church and starting walking the Camino, I was overcome by emotion to tears. I felt her love in my heart.

Last night, my experience at the Albergue Emaús was amazing. I went to mass, there was a blessing for us pilgrims at the end, and had a wonderful dinner of lentil soup with mostly a French group, teo Germans, and an American missionary. The parish priest joined us for dinner and brought wine because it was the feast of Corpus Christi. I was told that these are both unusual. He did briefly address us and said that he has been telling pilgrims two things for a long time, but now he just tells them one thing: walk with Christ. Christ is not in Santiago at the end of the Camino. You need to find Christ in your walk and every day. Do you see Christ on the Camino? In the office? At home?

If you haven’t read the Emmaus story recently, why not read it?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=49&chapter=24&version=9