The more you do it, the more intimidated you become. Training for my third pilgrimage has taught me one important lesson – there’s a LOT that can go wrong. I’m off to walk Stage 3 of the Via Francigena, leaving in just a couple of weeks. It’s been the winter of preparation.
I have walked weeks on bleeding feet, chewed Advil like candy for all manner of small injuries and aches and pains. I’ve watched hikers drop out, take long breaks and ride buses for much of their pilgrimages, all of which I would prefer to avoid.
I’ve shed tears, seen others tears and shared ice water buckets with the most amazing international strangers. I’ve gone hungry, not knowing how or where to get food in a foreign country with a foreign language. This is just the list of things that have gone wrong for me so far!
So I have spent the winter in preparation.
The Physical
Nothing like walking to prepare for walking. 10 k a day minimum, every single day. Every once in a while I’ve made it 20+. Is that a hill I see up there? I’m taking all of them, even if they are out of my way. Squats, curls, lap swimming and yoga is rounding out the physical side of the training. This is the easy part.
The Practical
Il bisogna comprare stivali nuovo, Dove la negozio? Gracie mille Duolingo, I now know how to ask where to buy new boots. Italian boots is what I plan to come home with from Rome. I think I’ll be able to find coffee, croissants and wine as well. Learning the local language has consumed at least 10 minutes of each day this winter. I’ve got a 91 day streak going right now. Will it help? I don’t know but in a couple of weeks I’ll find out.
I’ve found my app of choice for this trail. Camino Ninja guided Fern and I through the Portuguese Camino, and has now added the Via Francigina. It’s improved quite a bit since I last used it. I’ve deleted all the other apps I was perusing.
I’ve made a few bookings. I have a lovely hotel in Rome booked – 3 nights of luxury if the website is accurate. I’ve booked a rest stop at some amazing looking hot springs. All I need to do is time my arrival there perfectly. I’m hoping for the true pilgrim experience for my first night on the trail, as I’ve booked a place 2 k out of Altopascio. I’ll have to share a dorm room, dinner and breakfast with my fellow pilgrims.
A friend who visited Rome recently mentioned he wished he knew more history before we went. It turns out Italy has a just bit of history going on, as my winter reading library is teaching me. So far most of it is awfully bloody. I expect the rivers in Italy to run red.
The Spiritual
The world is a noisy place right now. The idea of stepping off for a month, alone in a foreign country with nothing but walking to keep me company is so very alluring. This is the part I’m looking forward to the most. Quietly connecting with my spirit is the actual point of the whole thing.
If there is one lesson I’ve learned in my 66 years it’s that any physically demanding endeavour is 98% mental. It is amazing what one can accomplish with a broken body but a willful mind. When my insecurities threaten to take over the conversation in my head I remind myself of this. The mind feels not just ready, but like a wild horse trying to buck it’s rider.
At the risk of sounding corny, there is a spot on my daily walk where my Mother, dead for over 40 years now visits me. She hasn’t shown up for a long time, but suddenly this winter she stands right beside me almost every morning. I think she’s looking forward to guiding me through this Italian adventure. I can not wait to silently toast her with a hearty Italian wine on top of some hill in Tuscany, and thank her for this love of walking – the legacy she has gifted (plagued?) me with.
Next stop, Italy!
Oh Donna, this was a beautiful Post. I wish strength, fortitude, and love on your journey. To me you are so brave and Ray is braver than me as he will watch his wife depart and not know what is happening until they get back together again.