I haven’t mentioned this, but my Achilles’ tendon has been sore and inflamed since Day Two (it’s Sofia writing now, on Day Twelve of El Camino).
At first, as I inquired with other pilgrims about aches and pains, I was assured that my body was simply adjusting to walking so much with so much weight on my back — and that in their experiences, the pain went away after a week.
On Day Ten, when my Achilles was still aching, and sometimes preventing me from walking, I googled a little harder about this kind of pain and what to do. More than anything, I’m supposed to rest (which I do in the evening). I’m also supposed to lessen my mileage and walking uphill and downhill (which isn’t ending….in fact, we’ve walked over and down insane hills the last few days, while increasing our mileage).
What to do, I thought, while on Camino and instructed to slow down.
Well, slow down a little (Sammy and I both benefitted from our rest day in the macrobiotic refuge).
Therapeutic calf massages – Sammy is the best at this! I can also massage my own calves (better to massage the calf than the actual Achilles’ tendon, according to the Internet).
Hot and freezing colds shower soaks (aka DIY hydrotherapy) – easy enough in most albergues.
Kaytee’s amazin muscle ease oil blend she gifted us before our trip.
Farmacias – which are everywhere in Spain (& Italy) and don’t have comparison in the U.S. They are like magical nurse stations where you can buy products to help your ailments – maybe a Placebo effect more than anything, but hey…if a lotion that claims to prepare our muscles before walking (Flogo Sport) and reduce inflammation (Radio Salil) helps, than I’m all for it! I also got a couple ankle braces and a heel insert two days ago – which seems to help, even though the side effect is a red shin from the heat and pressure all day.
Ibuprofen — which I never take in the U.S. — but is kind of a life saver in these extreme physical circumstances (day after day of walking 10, 13, or 15 miles with a light-as-possible but still heavy – like 2 bags of navel oranges -pack).
Yesterday, I started sinking into what the Achilles represents too — our weaknesses.
Mine: coffee and fear. Sometimes anger and resentment. Sometimes a million other things.
Mainly, fear.
I have a tendency to call fear to me. And they come running towards me, so excited to be beckoned.
So, I’ll be working on releasing fear as I step and step and step.