Jen's Journey – Camino de Santiago 2013, 2016, & 2019

Miles walked today: 8.28mi / 13.3km
Total training miles to date: 99.26mi / 159.7km
Days left ’til I leave: 15

Longest walk yet today — lasted just over 3 hours and I walked over eight miles. Woohoo!!

The numbness I’ve been feeling in my feet went away after I loosened my shoelaces. (whew!)

When Carol and I walked through and around Keizer on Friday, I got a crash course in how insufficient sleep and lousy eating equals NO fuel . I was dragging pitifully by the end. I also learned that carrying water with you on long walks is generally a good idea.

Continue reading “Milestones and thick-headed insights” →

Miles walked today: 7.03mi / 11.31km
Total training miles to date: 80.88mi / 130.16km
Days left ’til I leave: 22

So much for my theory! I was laughing with Marissa last week that the best way to scare and confuse my neighbors is to walk around the neighborhood with a backpack on. People either stare or avoid eye contact.

This morning someone proved me wrong! I was about to cross a quiet intersection when a well-coiffed lady in a new SUV rolled down her window and asked sweetly if I was headed downtown — to offer me a ride! So sweet!

Continue reading “Want a ride?” →

Miles walked today: 0mi / 0km
Total training miles to date: 73.85mi / 118.85km
Days left ’til I leave: 24

Considering that I’ve been discerning and planning this trip for over two years, the fact that it’s a mere three weeks away feel staggeringly close.

I had the pleasure of a week-long visit from my best friend, Marissa and we tooled all over the place — Bush’s Pasture Park, Drift Creek Falls, Lincoln City. Right after her visit, I headed to Medford/Jacksonville, Oregon to lead a couple of trainings. I confess, I’ve done a lot more “fueling up” (read: good eating) than training over the last two weeks. I’ve been conscious of the numbers, but not obsessing.

Continue reading “Back in the saddle” →

Miles walked today: 6.3mi / 10.1km
Total training miles to date: 69.34mi / 111.59km
Days left ’til I leave: 38

I don’t know how or why the sun has been shining so beautifully lately, but it sure doesn’t feel like Oregon in springtime!

Vicky, Gary, and I took a walk at Willamette Mission State park today and it kicked our butts — including poor Shelby’s, the aged Shiba Inu/Chow mix. But we didn’t care that we were slipping and sliding on the muddy horse paths because the sun was beaming down and the temp was about 60. Perfection.

Continue reading “Magical mission!” →

Miles walked today: 5.92mi / 9.45km
Total training miles to date: 63.04mi / 101.4km
Days left ’til I leave: 41

Last week, I made the transition from treadmill to asphalt (I’m up to 6.5 miles at one go). Even in Oregon’s pre-spring drear, my senses awaken when I am outdoors.

It struck me this morning that most of my life is spent going from my home box to my car box to the store box and back again. All of these boxes are climate controlled and (thankfully) weather-proof.

One of the astonishing things about walking outdoors are the smells.

Continue reading “Scents and sense in the outdoors” →

Here’s a list of books I’ve read about long walks and some of them I actually recommend:

Pacific Crest Trail

• Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, Cheryl Strayed
• Skywalker: Highs and Lows on the Pacific Crest Trail, Bill Walker
• The Cactus Eaters: How I Lost My Mind – and Almost Found Myself – on the Pacific Crest Trail, Dan White*

Continue reading “Books about long walks” →

Miles walked today: 6.59mi / 10.06km
Total training miles to date: 56.43mi /
Days left til I leave: 43

Yesterday, the day I turned forty years old, was full of laughter, surprises, and insights.

My favorite part of the day was at my party, surrounded by friends who’ve known me for years, telling their favorite stories about me. Some told happy stories about the ways I’ve touched their lives. Others told side-splittingly funny tales of adventures and challenges overcome. A friend commented that it was a great idea to request story-telling; it’s usually what happens after you die. I feel really blessed to know how my cherished people really feel about me and that I’ve made a difference — already.

Continue reading “Celebrating a life: Part 2 — reflections on 40” →

I almost share a birthday, separated by 10 years, with a former neighbor and someone who is dear to me. She was celebrating turning 50 in style on the same weekend as I was and her husband threw her a big celebration. At the end of my birthday night, I learned that this friend’s husband had a massive heart attack during her party and was dead before he hit the floor.

Continue reading “Celebrating a life: Part 1” →

Miles walked today: 4.75
Total training miles to date: 41.35
Days left til I leave: 50

I got an email from Carol today with the subject line, “Okay. I have to ask.” I haven’t updated in a week, but I’m okay!

Truthfully, I’ve had a few holy sh*t moments in the last week. While they haven’t dissuaded me from going to Spain (I have tickets, after all), my eyes are opening.

Continue reading “Eyes open, feet to the earth” →

Miles walked today: 2.8
Total training miles to date: 31.4
Days left til I leave: 57

On Saturday, Mary, Jill and I went up to Maxwell Butte Sno-Park — and snowshoed a total of 5.5 strenuous miles. Actually, they snowshoed — I found the grainy snow easier to walk on in my hiking boots. There was about 4 feet of snow and it was beautiful. It even snowed a little while we hiked and it was a magical fairy land coming back down the mountain.

We didn’t take photos, so you’ll have to imagine it. 🙂

I’d been getting so used to increasing in mileage that I felt disappointed this morning when I didn’t reach 3 miles on the treadmill. Almost teary.

Continue reading “Up a hill and back down again” →