My brother died very suddenly in his early 40’s 12 years ago. Before he died he had done a number of long solo walking holidays including the Camino from St Jean Pied de Pont to Santiago, so 500 miles.
Ever since it has been my dream to do the same route.
Now I’m 58. My youngest child is in University. I am a partner in work and have very supportive colleagues who will work up while I’m away so on a whim a few weeks ago I decided to go for it. I have booked a single ticket to fly to Biarritz after Easter and have told work I will be gone for 8 weeks. Im going by myself and planning to carry a backpack and wing it because I don’t want to commit to a particular distance each day. I have various friends and family who are coming to join me wherever I am at different times so it should be fantastic and I am very excited.
I’m also getting a bit terrified though. Mainly about the walking. I’m reasonably fit and have done a few 16-18 km hill walks in the past few weeks to prepare but I’m overweight and have menopausal aches and pains and scared I will not be able for it. I have allowed myself an extra 2 weeks to the usual but that still means an average of 15km daily for 8 weeks. I’m telling myself that I will get fitter as I walk.
Am I mad? Reassurance needed 🤯