This was probably my favorite day on the Camino so far. Not just because tomorrow is a scheduled rest day (although I’m absolutely relishing the thought of a chill day), but also because I can feel myself becoming stronger. 15 miles no longer feels like it takes 110% of my strength. Only 90% 😁 I stop less frequently on the uphills, if at all, and my Apple Watch reflects a quicker pace. Today’s journey had the ubiquitous hills that this Navarre region of Spain does, but it also passed through delightful little towns where the buildings look much the same, I imagine, as they did 500 years ago. I can’t imagine living amid such beauty and history.

I’m still struggling with the last 8 km (5 miles) of each day. I’ve tried reminding myself that I do 5+ mile hikes all the time. But these 5 miles are different. They’re coming on the heels of 10 miles earlier in the day, and they’re in the heat of the day, typically 3:00 – 6:00. (There’s a reason for siesta culture!) Anyway…I had the most basic of realizations today. And that is: it’s OK to be wiped out at the end of the day. It’s nothing to be afraid of and this is not a race. I was so fixated on the idea of “I’m tired, I need to be done”, but this is more of a Zen realization that “tired” is just a sensation that I can experience without it completely overwhelming me. Did I struggle up the stairs to my room after my walk today? Yup. Did I lie on my bed for way too long before settling in and taking a shower? Also yup. But I feel happy about what my body has accomplished this week: walking 70 miles through the gorgeous Spanish countryside. Quads and glutes for the win!

And for those wondering how my knees are holding up…the answer is: great! It might be a Camino miracle, or it might be the Euflexxa shots that my amazing orthopedic doc, Dr. Lynch, administered, or it might just be that the ligaments around my knees are strengthening and holding those darn patellas in place. For the past 2.5 years, I haven’t been able to hike more than 4-5 miles without some degree of sharp pain, even while wearing knee braces. I’ve now been without the knee braces for the past 3 days!! It was my #1 worry going into this trip, and seems to be a nonissue now. Wowza.