Where we are, training & preparations

So although I updated the About Us page, I thought I should at least update here too as to the occurrences since the last Camino just in case you are reading via the next buttons. Shortly after the return from the Primitivo in 2019 Karen and I broke up.  So off the back of that came COVID, I am fully aware this period was rough for many people but truthfully COVID did me a solid, We went fully remote in work, allowed me to focus my finances and save my deposit to Purchase a house in Tonypandy.  It's a wee house in the beautiful Rhondda Valleys and right by some lakes and surrounded by hills. Then decided it was time to pass my car test and get a car.  We also closed our office so I am now fully remote which makes morning walks way easier to do.

So where are we at? I am now 39, Single, Career is in a solid place. Intentionally dating where possible but obviously a bit tricky when your planning to go away for 6 weeks.  I am now a few years into an increased focus on personal development including my weight.  Generally doing a lot better and am actually wearing the same shorts I went on Camino with in 2013. I will admit they were tucked away for a number of years and now the bigger versions are tucked away. This will be a long term project fighting genetics that I am sometimes winning and sometimes losing.  

Have never felt more at home now I have my own place and love the surrounding area and that I have an area to walk daily that is soooo much better than my previous urban training environment.   On my first Camino I found myself & had a good idea as to the kind of person I wanted to be and the things I wanted out of life.  Sure I was hoping to have a partner by now, but the kind of person I wanted to be and the things I wanted to achieve have largely been achieved. Is there still work to do? sure, but it's a much smaller iterative process now.

So I am calling this Camino is a celebration of the last 10 years but truly maybe I won't know why I am called back until it's over.....

 So normally I Camino later in the year but alas this was also the time I was approved to go away by my work, needless to say their main IT chap leaving for 6 weeks is not normally something that happens but I take my hat off to them they have been really supportive in making this a possibility for me and I am truly appreciative. After approving it last year and allowing me to delay it a full year.

This timing to start in May did present a completely different range of problems due to having to train over winter, so between walking in the dark, cold, rain, ice, snow. It truly has taken every ounce of discipline to keep on track.  I would not underestimate if I didn't have an almost regimented approach this could have been a struggle and certainly a testimony to the last few years of personal development, drive and the ability to conquer my inner bitch as Joe Rogan would say.  I can not stress how many times the alarm went off at 6:45 to dark, rain smashing off my window and the whistle of wind down the street, but I still got up and did it.

I did feel better for it all and it certainly helped my head rather than my normal winter hibernation program.  Many great sunrises too. So once again a program of daily 5 miles. Then pushing a 10 - 15 mile walk on the weekend for the last 12 weeks. I would love to say its been easy but alas no. The years since the last Camino and my largely desk based working week has meant back and hip pain in varying forms but we are currently doing ok. I am feeling good about the training and it's been a lot easier now the weather is a bit better.

Here are some pics from the training walks at various points over the last few months largely at my lakes and local hills other than the odd walk down the Taff trail:

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