After the urgent care visit on Friday, I was instructed to chill for a few more days and to see the orthopedic doctor on Tuesday.

So, more chilling in the hotel room ensued (with an arguably gorgeous view). More exploring little restaurants (all were about 1/4 mile from the hotel), more Netflix, etc. On Saturday I rode one of those cute little tourist trolleys around the city just to be able to see something different.

I had the appointment yesterday on Tuesday. The doctor wanted to take a cautious approach and wanted to schedule yet another appointment on Thursday and do an ultrasound. I was grateful that there was an interpreter available because I really needed to get detailed information about his thought process surrounding this recommendation, what information he hoped to gain from that, and how that would drive decisions about the rest of my Camino.

Basically, he said the the ultrasound would reveal whether this was an acute, traumatic injury of some sort (did I pull or sprain or tear the tendon in some sudden way), or was this chronic inflammation from overuse. If it was the former, my Camino would be over, and I’d be looking minimally at weeks of physical therapy. If it was the latter, I’d need a day or two more rest, and then a modified walking schedule with shorter distances and more rest days.

Initially, I went ahead and scheduled the ultrasound and prepared to stay in León a couple of more days. Then I really started to think about it. I realized delaying by two more days to do the ultrasound would not provide me with any additional information than two days of light walking would. If I commenced walking, I’d know pretty quickly whether my leg was somewhat better (indicating an overuse injury), and could continue a modified schedule. Or, if I discovered that it was untenable to continue, I’d call it at that point and end the Camino. In other words, either way I’d know in 2 days which way it was going to go, either by getting an ultrasound or by getting back on the trail.

I decided to get back on the trail today, Wednesday. I’m about 3 miles in. I won’t lie…there is pain, but less than I had before was sidelined. And, it’s tolerable. We’ll see how I feel at the end of the day.

In the meantime, here’s some more pictures of León: