Stage 16 – the day I just walked.

Start: 6:05, 10 ºC, sunny

End: 14:35

Distance: 32/376.9 Km

Stayed at: Los Canarios

OST: La Ditta, EeLST (Bolero Edition)

Today included the most infamous stretch of the Camino Frances, a stretch of around 16 Km without any food or water source.

Water is especially critical, as this stage is long and almost completely without shadows.

Today I hit my physical limit: I was exhausted after 32 Km in 8 hours.

I was not feeling very alethic, and this worried me quite a bit, at the only time in the entire Camino when I was at risk of being assaulted by stray dogs.
If you see this warehouse, pick up the pace and get away quickly.

Preparing for the challenge ahead, I forced myself to stretch, and stretch, and stretch, every 60-90 minutes. It paid off.

Another thing that paid off: ditching those fucking silicon soles.

For the first time, I could walk with “normal” and “healthy” feet, focusing on the road instead of the pain.

Possibly one of my top 3 days – challenging, unique, I learned I still had room for improvement.

Next stage: Stage 17: Calzadilla de la Cueza – Sahagun