The challenge

Four years ago, I could barely walk to our local park. I had knee replacement surgery (‘TKR’). This had become inevitable following 45 years of inflammatory arthritis that pretty much destroyed my right knee.

But that wasn’t what had so utterly weakened me. Following the knee surgery, it was discovered I had stage 3 kidney cancer. Back in hospital barely a month later, my tumorous kidney was removed and I started a slow journey to physical recovery. (Thankfully I am still cancer clear. I greatly appreciate the diligence and care of the NHS staff.)

The following year – 2016 – was the year that my ‘Living with Loss’ project got off the ground, but also the year of determinedly walking to try to regain some strength and fitness. It was slow going. 3 miles was a big distance. It wasn’t sure I could finish a 5 mile route. But gradually things improved. 

By the summer of 2017, I was getting ready for my 60th birthday. It was an emotional hurdle to get over, and I decided to spend it walking – 60 kms over the week – reflecting on my life of 60 years and my two children sadly deceased. I added some spice by getting some sponsorship in support of the Samaritans. It was 60 kilometres not miles – I couldn’t walk that far in miles! But over about 6 days of hard walking with some rest times in between, I did achieve the 60 kms. This walk was on the Llyn Peninsula in Wales and is absolutely beautiful – stunning scenery. 

In 2018, I upped the challenge to 61 kms – this time in Scotland – again, stunning scenery. It took me less days and I actually managed 61 miles not just kms.

2019 – you guessed it – the challenge was 62 kms. I did some of it in Australia and continued the challenge a couple of weeks later closer to home in the Peak District.

I enjoy the walking but it is not easy for me. Besides tiredness, I have other physical challenges, such as back pain, osteopenia (thinning bones – a precursor to osteoporosis), and my toes bend under each other. (I wear special silicone inserts to make the distances possible, but going downhill is particularly painful.)

So although I’m quite a typical age for doing the Camino (62), I am not going to be the healthiest specimen on the road. Then again, the difficulties I will face are part of the pilgrim journey. And I want to be a pilgrim. (I’ll write more about motivation another time.) 

Can I do the full distance? To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. But I am sure I will try. 

How will I do it? One step at a time.