Walking on a sine wave

22 miles, 45279 steps in 8.5 hours with two 30 minute breaks! My personal best of walking from Melide to O Pedrouzo. Mind over matter 🙂

Today was the most intense day in my itinerary and even I had my doubts if I could walk this much in one day. Started the walk at 6.45 am and it was pitch dark. I saw an old couple and a girl starting the Camino and was surprised to see just 3 people as last 3 days it had been a lot more. Used the flashlight on my phone and started walking and soon 3 others joined us. 7 of us started walking and realized 20 minutes later that we were on the wrong path. Turned back to find the right path and we lost the couple somewhere. I didn’t want to walk through the eucalyptus woods alone so kept pace with the 3 ahead of me and so did the girl with the backpack. For the next 1.5 hours till the sun came up, we walked 4 miles at a brisk pace and then the 3 decided to stop. I continued and so did the girl and eventually we started talking. The next 3.5 miles went quickly as we chatted about random things. Stopped for breakfast and then walked another 2.5 miles till her town arrived. I continued on my way, stopped for lunch and then started the next part of my walk. Ran into the girl again as she decided to walk a little more. Walked with her for another 1.5 miles and said goodbyes again. Finally reached my destination and I was elated beyond words.

As they say Mind over matter. Today didn’t feel tiring or slow because I had decided early on to walk 22 miles. Unlike yesterday when even the 7 miles felt like eternity. I think resting yesterday also helped the body recover from almost 5 days of walking (4 on the Camino and 1 in Madrid). I had a spring in my step and no aches or pains. As I sit in my hotel in anticipation of tomorrow, I am tired but not exhausted. I am so proud of my mind and body for accomplishing today. Maybe 60K steps in a day should be my next challenge 😉

Tomorrow is the grand finale and I can’t wait to step in Santiago to culminate a dream years in the making.