It is not my nature. I know that I am more than two days ahead of the guide book and that I have added four days at the end just in case of injury. I know that I could be strolling through the Spain and even taking days off. I find that to be more stressful than walking. It is not that I do not know how to have a good time or that I do not know how to relax. Those readers that know me know that the above is true. I find that I have wanted to do this for so long that what I want to do is do it. I wrote earlier a phrase that a reader described as “Alice in Wonderlandesc”. The part about the going is to get going. I compare it to when you decide with whom you want to spend the rest of your life-once you know, you want the rest of your life to start right away. I have tried to walk slowly but I do not enjoy it. I have tried to start later in the day but it makes me anxious that I should be going. It is not that I am not enjoying myself. I am and I am pleased in so many ways that I am able to do this. Whether I walk fast or slow, early or late, I have the same enjoyment and get the same amount of reflection on life as others. Even if I get that satisfaction after the walk in the early afternoon.
So I will continue to consider the advice and counsel of so many but the fact remains that this is something I am doing for me. And I must do it as me.
Tomorrow I cross the highest mountain on the Camino. Stay with me my readers.
caminopapi 
It was my younger sibling, who will remain nameless, that once said that he was a man in his own category. Might I add that at the time this was said, he was FAR from becoming a man. He was under 10. But the phrase for him, for you, and for many of us is true. Whether you quote him, Frank (who did it his way), Popeye (“I yam what I yam”) or anyone else, you’re right. This is YOUR walk. Do it YOUR way.
(As an aside, I’m totally with you. I’d be so anxious & excited to do it, I wouldn’t slow or stop either, even if ahead of expectations. I’d be up at oh-dark 30 and walking the walk!!)
LikeLike
Michael, your explanation regarding slowing down resonates with me as well. Slowing down is an existential threat to us all as we age. Hopefully, we have each lived our lives to our full capacity so far – and, we intend to keep doing the same for as long as we can. We are slower, of course, but that doesn’t mean that we should accept it easily or without protest and effort. This week I read about a 100 year old man who set several records for his age group at a track event. You, like he and we, are all in our own categories. Go, bro!
LikeLike
Thanks. Means a lot
LikeLike
To be honest, I don’t know why you keep stopping everyday. 😉
I found a Spanish teacher from Virginia who did it in 9 days 5 hours and 29 minutes. Her pre-Camino interview is here: http://www.pilgrimroads.com/2011/02/running-the-camino/
But rather than worry about how fast or how slow, can’t you just reply with “!Soy Yo!”? Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
LikeLike
Perfect
LikeLike
This is so you
LikeLike