Sunday, March 22, 2009

Walking on a Spring Day

Spring is in the air so I loaded up my backpack and headed off for a long walk with my dog Zia.


I start of my Camino is only a few weeks off so getting in condition is important and my dog loves to hike across the desert.

My 31 liter pack (empty it wieghs 22 ounces) is loaded with about 25 pounds of canned goods. I do not intend to carry such a heavy load, but for conditioning purposes that is what I am doing.

Today Zia and I walked along the desert for a while and then spent time walking up and down hills to help me build up strength in my knees. I also wear my pack at home and make a point of going up and down the stairs to help me build strength.
The afternoon speeds quickly by. There is joy in the simple pleasure of walking.
Life is good...

5 comments:

Caminante said...

You look way too svelte to lug 25 lbs (pack should be ideally 10% of your body weight), smile. Water is 5 lbs right there...! I weigh way too much, 180, and carried probably 25 lbs (my walking partner weighs 112 lbs and carried 20 lbs). The day-after-day walking can really tire out the knees. If you have any knee probs, take a brace and cream, though you can get both along the way. I am excited for you and just wish I, too, had a camino walk to contemplate.

Virginia ("Ginn") said...

Hey Caminante, thanks for the advice. I won't carry such a heavy load on the Camino...I have been routinely toting around 20-25 pounds but on a sustained walk, I would not do that. (I've always been pretty strong - my military background I guess.)

I would rather make do than be too loaded down...

Life is good...

"Ginn"
In Windy Santa Fe

Teri said...

You're training the correct way. So excited for you!

Caminante said...

Well, with your military background you can do anything... even carry a 25 lb pack though I see you are taking less. You've been well trained.

Virginia ("Ginn") said...

I expect I will have my challenges...actually, this trip makes me feel a bit like I did when I went of to Basic Training soooo many years ago! It will be fun to learn and growna nd to test myself a bit.

Life is good...

"Ginn"
Relaxing After a Day at the Office