There is a phrase I use too often with Dan: “Functional Fitness”. This phrase was born out of my fear that I will one day be an old woman and fall, and not be able to pick myself off the floor.
Functional fitness as my #pnpcoach Corinne says, it the ability to get off the toilet without help or assistance as you get old. During the last few weeks, I have not done any type of fitness activity and I have noticed that not only am I in poor shape physically, but I also have aches and pains that will surely not fair well in the Camino.
I have taken the first few steps to build my walking, however, I decided I needed to ensure I was doing all I could to be in the best shape for my pilgrimage. It did not take me too long to find a podcast about the Camino de Santiago and how to train for it. As I listen, it all began to come back to me… training was not only going to be all about walking, building my miles and such, it was going to be about strength training and flexibility. YES, I told myself, Corinne did tell me this before I went on my first phase of the trek. How could I forget that it takes strength to carry a pack, lift it over your head. It takes strength to pull yourself up as you walk uphill, it takes balance and flexibility to navigate rocks, branches, and other road obstacles.
So tonight, I reworked my training plan. I need to head back to yoga, I must begin adding core exercises and making sure I plank the hell out of this body.
The funny thing about strength and flexibility for me is that over the years I have had to learn to be flexible in life. Flexible with others, circumstances, and most of all with my expectations for Julie. From an early age I have been known to want things done my way, in my time, and no other way. Over the years, God has laughed at me and my lack of flexibility. I guess, for this reason, many of the major lessons in my life have revolved around this major skill.
I have also learned to never underestimate my ability to be strong when needed. I also know that I am passionate and strongwilled. This served me well during the first leg of my trip in 2016. I had my moments, I wanted to quit, I may have cried on the side of the road because the mountain was high, my aches and pains may have seemed insufferable, yet I pulled myself up and kept going. Yes, the promise of wine or a hot shower helped a lot too.
So today as I continue on my prep for the journey, I strive to become flexible physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I also seek to gain strength to carry myself with enough ease so that I can enjoy the beauty of the journey in Spain and in my life.
NY RedRose 