Camino #20: Redefining Success & Failure (Carrión de los Condes to León) 🇪🇸

[@JoseeGill]

You did do the responsible thing and I am so proud of you! I have been worried since you burst some blisters! I agree in going back another time. One thing, I could not walk every day like you did!

[@tendegreeswarmer]

I keep popping them, or they hurt too much to walk on, but still there is no infections! I think we will definitely go back to walk this section (at least) again. 😀

[@TomChase-yb7fg]

So glad you were able to give your feet some much needed rest and León looks like a lovely place to take a break. I’m so happy for you guys that you’re enjoying the Camino and want to do it again. Sometimes unexpected things happen on the road and it sounds like you both have a good outlook and are prepared for these events that can be frustrating. Last winter on our first day in Bangkok after an 18 hour flight from JFK to Singapore and then a two hour flight to Bangkok I pulled a muscle in my hip and eight months later, I’m still not 100%. I tried rest, exercises and more rest and it just didn’t seem to get better. The problem was that I didn’t want to miss anything and I felt especially sad for Mark who was also missing out. I did end up hobbling around much of the winter and fortunately we saw a lot despite the inconvenience. I’m almost 100% now and hope I’ll be ready for our Camino next year. Thanks for sharing your story. I’m sure lots of viewers will find it encouraging for their Caminos too.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

You just can't predict when our bodies are going to fail us a little. I've had blisters on the Camino since Day 2 and it has been a challenge to say the least, but I am determined not to let it spoil the experience. It just is part of the experience, and thats ok too. Humility isn't a bad lesson to practice. Glad to hear you are feeling better, I know you guys are going to love your Camino!

[@jmtndew]

Thanks to you both for a very interesting glimpse into your experience of the Camino. And good for you for making some responsible choices. As one older local gentleman told my wife at some point along the way (a number of years ago now)... even if you bus the rest of the route to the cathedral, Santo Santiago isn't concerned with how you get there, he's just pleased that you came. Blessings on your road ahead, however far it goes and however you take it. Peace to you both.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Thank you for the comment, it is appreciated. I love that sentiment too, sometimes as travelers we get so focused on the journey that we miss the forest for the trees. Onwards and upwards! 😀

[@ExploreTayo]

Agreed, this is an important tip to set your own criteria, and best in advance.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Preparation really helps. We had some angst in the moment, even though we knew we were doing the right thing, because we just didn't plan for it.

[@ExploreTayo]

@@tendegreeswarmer though multiple days of brutal blisters isn't something you'd really want to plan for?

[@tendegreeswarmer]

@@ExploreTayo Plan for the worst, hope for the best!

[@JoseeGill]

You still have a ways to go to Santiago, I am glad you both of thinking of yourselves, your goals and not other peoples goals!

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Yes we are really just a bit over halfway, we have a long way to go yet!

[@joecolletti]

Hey, thank you for the video! I did the Frances route in 2017, so this really took me back. I wanted to get across the Maseta quickly, so i chose to rent a bike in Burgos and ride to Leon. I rolled through the stretch you're on, and spent a night in Sahagun (sp?). Anyway, you are totally right-- every does their own Camino-- so good for you making that choice. As for those 40 "missing" miles, there is another option you didn't mention. You could always go back to this spot *after* you get to Santiago, and do the stretch then. Every mile walked-- no need to do it on another trip. I hope you enjoy the rest of the way. Maybe I'll see you on a future Camino. Thinking I want to do Portuguese route next. :)

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Thanks for the kind comment. And yes, this is my plan, to go back and do the Frances again and pick up those missed miles. I'm interested in the other routes as well, but I really enjoyed the camaraderie of the Frances. It never seemed too crowded to me but instead just seemed full of opportunities to meet other awesome people!

[@annloudon674]

There has been success in every step you take. You are a true Pilgrim on a Camino. Your videos will inspire so many others. I knew you both would want to do it again! #6th for us in two weeks. Buen Camino from your 71 year old fans from CA.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Thank you for the kind comment. #6 is amazing!!! We don't have our #2 planned yet but I'm positive it will come. What a magical life we all lead! 😄

[@jenniferjuniper9118]

Top tip is always : never read the comments. You 2 have contagious positivity, thanks for just being yourselves Buen Camino

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Thank you for the nice comment. This was maybe the hardest day yet to stay positive, but in hindsight it is easier, knowing we did the right thing. We'll see what the Camino brings us next! 😀

[@annetcell-ly4571]

Vit C for wound healing.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Thank you for the suggestion, that is a new one! 👍

[@victw1]

I wrote a response on your first video about blisters but it was eaten. It does not sound like your blisters are consistent? Is it back of the heel or heel edge. Very different. If you have not already found the blister prevention lady with the great videos and website. Find her. She's a Australian. Fix Your Feet is a book available as an ebook. I skipped ahead on the Camino when plagued by heel edge blisters last year. I thought I had solved the problem and was devastated to get heel edge blisters on my first backpacking trip of the year. I tried a shoe change plus a million other things and still developed them on my second backpack trip. You have a far better attitude than I do. But I won't give up because I still have a lot of miles I want to backpack. Best wishes. I bought sandals in SDC. I wished I had bussed ahead. Bought them and then gone back and walked. If you decide to try a new shoe I recommend you have your shoe measured first and you take your loaded pack with you. Try the shoe with and without the pack on.

[@victw1]

Uggh. Too many typos. Foot measured. Have your feet measured.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Thank you for the suggestions! My main blisters are on the bottom of my foot under my toes. But suddenly I got some on the edge of my heel for the first time and I knew I couldn't keep walking on those. Luckily our rest in León took care of those since they were so small. If I had walked any further on them though, I know it would have been bad. My blisters can only be described as consistently inconsistent. 😭

[@jameswberk]

@@tendegreeswarmer Apologies if you've been through this before but...Have you tried the thread technique? Ive walked the Camino twice, 800k the first time, about double that the second time. On my first Camino I had debilitating blisters the first weeks. At some point someone recommended putting a thread via needle into a loop through each blister and tying a small knot. That way they never close and the liquid seeps out every day and slowly they dry up an heal. It sounded crazy but I was desperate and it honestly saved me. I can't recommend it more enthusiastically. Within a few days I was fine to walk 25+ a day. My second Camino it never got to that level despite walking further. Anyway, I hope this helps. I know the agony of blisters and the knock on psychological effects. Its worth it to keep going. Your body can handle almost anything. Ultrea!

[@tendegreeswarmer]

@@jameswberk Heh, yeah I do talk about this technique in another video. As a nurse this is a highly controversial thing to do as it greatly increases the risk of infection. As a pilgrim though, I have to say I found it helpful, though not helpful enough that the blisters healed from it. But perhaps had I tried it sooner before the blister was so big? Hard to tell. I'm not sure I would recommend this to everyone, but if you get desperate and try it, be sure to take every effort to keep it clean!

[@jameswberk]

@@tendegreeswarmer yes absolutely disinfect at every opportunity and it’s probably ineffective if the blister is already in a bad state. But if its just formed and in the ballooned state I think it’s really effective and I had no infection issues with normal oversight

[@kimr3755]

On the internet people are nameless and faceless. So they can be nasty. I don't get the whole "pilgrim" thing. So most would say I shouldn't comment, but tough, too bad. I thought the whole point of the hike was to complete it. Not make a race out of it. Considering there aren't a whole heck of a lot of people in the world that have done it. Like doing the entire Appalachian trail. Take care of yourselves. You need to be able to use your feet for the rest of your life. (I'd be interested to know how many of those insulting you have done what you are doing. Probably not.)

[@tendegreeswarmer]

"You need to be able to use your feet for the rest of your life" - exactly! The Camino can be uncomfortable at times, but it isn't supposed to injure you. At least that was our thinking. It was a hard conversation though to admit I was at that point. So many people have perfect Caminos, and of course that is what I wanted, but I guess my lesson has been in finding the beauty of imperfection.