I was hoping this would be a post I'd never have to make... not in these preparation days, and especially not on the Camino. I was going to be extra careful. In all the books I've read so far about the Camino, only Hape Kerkeling boasted of not getting any blisters. I was going to be like him! It took only two days of inattention to my feet - particularly two potentially troublesome toes - to sprout two painful blisters.
First thing: check the internet to find cures and choose one that might work for me.
But the deeper question: what can I learn from getting blisters?
1) Blisters on the Camino will probably be a "given", since I'll be walking far more in one day than the three miles I walked to get these.
2) Now is the time to learn how to treat them, so getting blisters now - months before I leave - is actually a blessing.
There it is: the blessing in the blister!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Everything's Relative
Several days ago I walked to the post office in Scotch Plains. When I was training for the NYC Marathon, that was a very short walk, but I hadn't walked that far in 18 years! With each step taking me farther and farther away from home, I began to wonder if I'd have to call for Sr. Eileen to pick me up. Maybe I had "bitten off more than I could chew." But I made it, and it took me only 45 minutes. Today, I did a similar walk, and didn't give it a thought about being able to make it. Everything's relative.
On the way, I met a lone Cicada. He actually looked old - a dull brown color all over. I had held another one on my finger, and gotten a great close look at it a few weeks ago as I walked Tamaques Park, so I knew what they look like in their prime. This one was moving very slowly, but seemed to want to climb my sneaker, so I let him. Yesterday, I had just seen an awesome film about the lifecycle of the Cicada, so I had an even greater appreciation of the life of this little critter. He's only 17 years and so many weeks old, and yet he's an "old man." Everything's relative.
On the way, I met a lone Cicada. He actually looked old - a dull brown color all over. I had held another one on my finger, and gotten a great close look at it a few weeks ago as I walked Tamaques Park, so I knew what they look like in their prime. This one was moving very slowly, but seemed to want to climb my sneaker, so I let him. Yesterday, I had just seen an awesome film about the lifecycle of the Cicada, so I had an even greater appreciation of the life of this little critter. He's only 17 years and so many weeks old, and yet he's an "old man." Everything's relative.
Friday, June 28, 2013
"We carry our fears in our backpacks."
One of the most valuable books I read about the Camino is Jean-Christie Ashmore's book, To Walk Far, Carry Less. The Introduction begins with a quotation by Vidal, a Spanish pilgrim: "We carry our fears in our backpacks." I've been reflecting on that quotation ever since! Specifically about the Camino, I catch myself thinking, "I'd better bring that, just in case..." And most of the "in cases" are simply fears, rather than sensible really-possible situations. I've also looked at my closet and drawers with that quotation in mind. Why am I afraid to let go of - declutter - some of that clothing I never wear, or go through those old photographs that simply take up space? "I'd better save that, just in case..." Whenever I do declutter, I feel so much lighter. Perhaps preparing for this pilgrimage will help me view my belongings in a new, freer way.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
In a Relaxed Manner
June 27, 2013
This morning, before it got too hot, I walked 45 minutes from the Mount into Scotch Plains and back. I'm a naturally fast walker. In fact, I do most things fast: eat, talk, drive - and lose things fast, too!!!
On this walk, I was thinking of the first book I read by someone who did the Camino: Walk in a Relaxed Manner, by Joyce Rupp. I'm not chiding myself for walking fast, especially while training for the Camino, but the title certainly does call me to reflect on the gifts that could come from slowing down.
Sr. Lisa Gambacorto, the Directress at Mount St. Mary Academy, made great strides last month in getting everyone to slow down on the hill. I always see cars whipping up the hill past the House of Prayer, especially in the early hours before school is set to begin. It's dangerous - especially to the Academy girls, who have a tendency to walk 3, 4, 5 abreast! It really is a miracle no one has gotten hit. So, Lisa's efforts made us all aware of how fast we really were driving up the hill... even 25 mph was 10 miles over the speed limit!
One day, as I consciously slowed down to the speed limit, the title of Joyce Rupp's book came to my mind with a twist: Drive in a Relaxed Manner. Then I started to think of all the things I do fast: Eat in a Relaxed Manner; Talk in a Relaxed Manner. What I'll need is conscious awareness! So, if you see me going at my usual speed, I won't mind if you remind me: "in a relaxed manner, Mary Jo!"
This morning, before it got too hot, I walked 45 minutes from the Mount into Scotch Plains and back. I'm a naturally fast walker. In fact, I do most things fast: eat, talk, drive - and lose things fast, too!!!
On this walk, I was thinking of the first book I read by someone who did the Camino: Walk in a Relaxed Manner, by Joyce Rupp. I'm not chiding myself for walking fast, especially while training for the Camino, but the title certainly does call me to reflect on the gifts that could come from slowing down.
Sr. Lisa Gambacorto, the Directress at Mount St. Mary Academy, made great strides last month in getting everyone to slow down on the hill. I always see cars whipping up the hill past the House of Prayer, especially in the early hours before school is set to begin. It's dangerous - especially to the Academy girls, who have a tendency to walk 3, 4, 5 abreast! It really is a miracle no one has gotten hit. So, Lisa's efforts made us all aware of how fast we really were driving up the hill... even 25 mph was 10 miles over the speed limit!
One day, as I consciously slowed down to the speed limit, the title of Joyce Rupp's book came to my mind with a twist: Drive in a Relaxed Manner. Then I started to think of all the things I do fast: Eat in a Relaxed Manner; Talk in a Relaxed Manner. What I'll need is conscious awareness! So, if you see me going at my usual speed, I won't mind if you remind me: "in a relaxed manner, Mary Jo!"
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Camino de Santiago
Back in February my sister CJ called to say that her daughter Jean had texted her a message asking if she'd like to do the Camino de Santiago. CJ texted her back: 6 miles with a guide? Jean's response: 10 miles without a guide! Then Jean asked if she thought her Aunt MJ would like to go, too! It didn't take me long to decide - definitely YES! This was back in February, and since then, I've begun training and reading, reading, reading.... any book I could find by people who had done the Camino.
Recently, a couple of people asked if I'd blog not only my experience of the Camino itself, but about my preparations for it. I've never done a blog, and hope I can be faithful to it. Thank you, Jim Cyr, for your encouragement and leading me to this blog site!
In the early days, back in February, the weather was quite cold - and of course it was very dark in the early morning when I could begin walking. So... many a morning I walked the entire length of the Mount (Mount St. Mary in Watchung) from St. Joseph's building to Gabriel Hall. Some of it is connected by an underground tunnel, so I never had to worry about the weather or the light.
When I could, I'd walk down the hill as far as the Dunkin' Donuts, which is only about a 1/2 mile, and back up the hill. Those beginning walks told me how out-of-shape I had gotten - a far cry from my NYC Marathon days! Eventually, the pains in my shins and butt lessened, and today I walked all the way to the post office in Scotch Plains and back with absolutely no pain at all. I'll have to measure the distance in the car later on.. but I know it's the longest I've walked so far in preparation for this pilgrimage.
Early on, I realized by training to do this pilgrimage I was already a pilgrim. I believe the hours and days of preparation will hold for me surprising blessings as well.
I have reflected many times on just why I am going to do this pilgrimage and what I hope to receive from it. At first it was just a response to an opportunity -- Jean and CJ inviting me to go along with them. But by choosing to say "yes" not only to the pilgrimage but to all the training, I'm feeling more committed to the whole process. At this point, I'm just staying open to whatever the Lord wishes to do in and through me.
Recently, a couple of people asked if I'd blog not only my experience of the Camino itself, but about my preparations for it. I've never done a blog, and hope I can be faithful to it. Thank you, Jim Cyr, for your encouragement and leading me to this blog site!
In the early days, back in February, the weather was quite cold - and of course it was very dark in the early morning when I could begin walking. So... many a morning I walked the entire length of the Mount (Mount St. Mary in Watchung) from St. Joseph's building to Gabriel Hall. Some of it is connected by an underground tunnel, so I never had to worry about the weather or the light.
When I could, I'd walk down the hill as far as the Dunkin' Donuts, which is only about a 1/2 mile, and back up the hill. Those beginning walks told me how out-of-shape I had gotten - a far cry from my NYC Marathon days! Eventually, the pains in my shins and butt lessened, and today I walked all the way to the post office in Scotch Plains and back with absolutely no pain at all. I'll have to measure the distance in the car later on.. but I know it's the longest I've walked so far in preparation for this pilgrimage.
Early on, I realized by training to do this pilgrimage I was already a pilgrim. I believe the hours and days of preparation will hold for me surprising blessings as well.
I have reflected many times on just why I am going to do this pilgrimage and what I hope to receive from it. At first it was just a response to an opportunity -- Jean and CJ inviting me to go along with them. But by choosing to say "yes" not only to the pilgrimage but to all the training, I'm feeling more committed to the whole process. At this point, I'm just staying open to whatever the Lord wishes to do in and through me.
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