Barres to Lourenza
Distance: 21 miles (33.8 kilometers)
Total Ascent: 710 meters
Difficulty: 3
Calories Burned: 4,854
I’m proud to say that I’ve been relatively tough on this Camino. Save one small blister and a few choice words when I round a corner only to find another incline, I’ve been quite good at grinning and bearing it. Until now.
It may be that I’m about to have a visit from Aunt Flo, or it may be that I’ve reached my physical limit, but either way, I am a true joy to be with right now.
I have officially cried four times in the past 24 hours and picked no less than two arguments with Andrew. My body is past the point of feeling pain. It is just telling me, “I’m over it.” And normally, when my body has this conversation with me, I listen.
But this time it is different. This time, I only have six days left to complete the most difficult physical endeavor I’ve ever taken on. And this time, I’m doing it with my husband.
I have to finish.
But, when we had about 6 kilometers left in our day today, with one final 150 meter uphill climb ahead of us, I saw a sign for a taxi company. I truly believed that this was a sign from God. And I stood in the middle of the road for a good 90 seconds, crying, with every intention of calling that phone number. I had just had enough.
But I didn’t. I put on my big girl pants and told Andrew that I just wanted to walk the last bit by myself crying. He wouldn’t have it. He offered to carry my pack, but I couldn’t do that. I had to finish and carry my weight.
So for the last hour of our day today, Andrew told jokes and sang songs, twirled walking sticks with me and cursed into the cow pastures. But we finished the day, damnit.
I can do this.
I will finish.
