We are less than 50 days out from the Camino Frances. This means we are reviewing our packing lists trying to cut ounces wherever we can (do I really need deodorant?), doing some strategic thinking (how often do we stay in albergues, that is hostels, and when do we opt for hotels), and focusing our training on very specific challenges.
This is no time to exhaust oneself with a rash of extra training, perhaps causing an injury in the process. Last week, we practiced doing back-to-back hikes. The first was a 14 mile flat hike with full packs; the next day we did 7 miles, full packs, but up the nearest mountain. This week, we will string together three straight days, probably two long flat hikes sandwiched around a mountain climb.
We had our first stress injury last week: Judy noticed a small blister when we came down off the mountain, and said her big toe felt tender. Later that night, it began to throb, and we feared she had bruised the toenail. If you are 
a runner or regular hiker, you know what is coming: she will probably lose the toenail. It is not as bad as it sounds, but still nobody likes to lose a toenail. Runners experience it all the time, I am told–in my three decades of running, I never lost one, but I did have my little toe smashed one time and lost half the nail. For hikers, it usually results from a long downhill trail, where your toes constantly slide forward in a loose shoe and bang the toe box, bruising the toe, then losing the nail. Judy thought she didn’t get her hiking shoes tied tightly, and our feet have not swelled yet, so our hiking shoes are a size bigger than our feet. Put it all together and you lose a toenail.
Otherwise, our training has been progressing well. We have not had a problem with hydration, pack weight, food, or bathroom breaks. All of these things have to be carefully monitored during the Camino. We did practice one other Camino pitfall: alcohol. After climbing down the mountain last week, we stopped at our favorite restaurant (Gosha’s) for lunch. They were advertising a margarita special: 45 pesos ($2.25 USD) each. Well, we were thirsty as well as hungry, so we ordered the special and downed a margarita. As we lingered over our meal, the waiter asked if we would like another? Now Judy has a one-drink limit, but “Of course”, I responded; Judy agreed with me (probably the effect of the hike and the first margarita). So we both had a second.
After we paid our bill, I got up and put my pack on. Judy, too stood up, wavered, then said “oh, I shouldn’t have had a second margarita.” Well, we walked the two miles home hand-in-hand, mostly to ensure Judy did not wander from the hiking trail into the adjacent roadway. It was an entertaining experience, and when we got home she had a great siesta and awoke none the worse for the experience. Lunch with beer or wine is often a staple on the Camino; I will certainly indulge (professional drinker, closed course, don’t try this at home), but I bet Judy won’t…unless we see a margarita special!
Yes on the deodorant regardless of what others say! You will be glad…..relax now and just enjoy it!
A dissenting view—I didn’t take any deodorant and didn’t miss it. Maybe my hiking companions felt differently, but hey, it’s part of the experience. Since you are constantly washing both yourself and your hiking clothes as you stop, I think deodorant is optional.
Great post, Pat. Walking/jogging downhill can be bad news for toes, as Judy experienced. Taking any foot salves? (Maybe they will also work as deodorents!)
Like most things in life, the Nearys are grossly over prepared for this wonderful adventure. I will I could say the same about my sojourn to Patagonia in 10 days. Very excited for your adventure and our paths will again cross in Michigan In August !
Pat, tell Judy that she might want to take the over-the-toe bandages—the ones that look like rubber tubes and you cut them to size—with her. You can find them on the trail but not necessarily exactly when you need them, and I used them a lot. I got an under the nail blister and eventually lost the nail, and those little over the toe pads really helped because your toe stays tender for quite a while. Hopefully she won’t have the same problem on the Camino, but they don’t weigh much and might be good insurance. Also, as I’m sure Mary has told you—order some Compeed in advance. We don’t have anything as good here and it was a lifesaver for me since I was the blister queen.