Blisters, Injuries, Recovery – Oh my!

In the three months prior to starting my Camino in May, I walked 6 out of 7 days in varying lengths.  Sometimes it was a ‘long’ walk which started out as a 6 mile walk and worked my way up to 14 miles; and, sometimes a short walk (3 – 5 miles).  Most days, in addition to the training walks, I walked my little dogs about 2-3 miles around the neighborhood.  My training walks were on various surfaces:  asphalt, dirt, rocky paths, etc and my ‘doggie’ walks were mostly on gravel or asphalt.

The length of my walks, combined with varying flat or hilly topography, the varied surface conditions were an attempt to be prepared for the challenge of walking the 500 mile Francis Camino that paid off.  During my preparation and the Camino itself, I experienced no blisters or injuries.

While training, I was very aware to take as much care then as I would when walking the path so that I didn’t have an injury beforehand that would impact or prevent my Camino from even starting.  Since returning, I’ve kept up a modified version of my pre-Camino training both because I feel so fit and want to maintain that; and, because I plan to return to the Camino someday soon.

Yesterday I had three of my little dogs out for a walk in the neighborhood on a gloriously warm fall day.  They were frisky and had extra energy infused from the sunshine and great autumn smells in the air.  They started to run, pulling me along on the other end of the leashes and joining in the fun, I started to run with them.  I wasn’t wearing my sturdy walking shoe/boots and had a pair of easy slip-on style tennis shoes.  As we gleefully ran down the country lane, I felt a pull in my upper left leg.  Yikes!  What was that (?) I thought!

Slowing the dogs down to a gentle walk I could feel a pain shooting from my left upper thigh into my hip.  While I never had one, the thought occurred, “Is this what a pulled hamstring feels like?”  I kept walking with the dogs so they could enjoy the beautiful day, but continued to feel the pain and wondered if I should turn around and head back home – torn between my discomfort and wanting the ‘kids’ to get some exercise.  Curtailing the walk, I turned them around towards home, and once at my computer googled “what does a torn hamstring feel like?”.  The symptoms described were mine.  The recommendation that included RICE ( rest, ice, compression and elevation) with an expected recovery of two to five weeks depending on the severity. Future injury could be prevented by increasing flexibility with yoga and making sure to warm up before exercising.

I was surprised with all the walking I’ve done over the last six months that a short burst of energy that turned into a run should cause an injury that would place a major pause on my walking for awhile.  I was also feeling so blessed that this did not happen prior to or on the Camino.

On the Camino, I saw every possible walking injury ranging from debilitating blisters, to Achielles tendon injuries from the steep downhills, along with overuse injuries like tendonitis, shin splints and more.  Rest was often the recommendation, ranging from days to weeks of no walking, which for a pilgrim is difficult to accept.  We often have only a certain amount of time to complete the Camino so to take even a few days off creates issues.  If the injury also means recommended reduced daily distances, the ‘fast forwards’ begin using buses and taxis to the next destination instead of foot power.  Whatever your experience is on the Camino, embrace it.  I know – easy for me to say when I was so lucky.  However, of all the pilgrims who had personal physical trials that I became friends with and I’ve continued to stay in touch with upon my return – the imposed rest or alternative transportation did not dash their Camino experience.  It was, instead, a part of it.

My recent pulled ham string will show that to be true as well, I am sure.  We have major storms rolling into the region today and for the next 10 days.  If I had a ‘forced rest’ imposed on me, it couldn’t have happened at a better time.  I know I will be antsy and will crave getting outside to get my legs moving again, but I’ll probably find that after a rest I’ll be stronger in the end.  I also learned a very good lesson.  Yoga class, here I come!

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