No, I haven’t forgotten about the Camino or about training, or about this website . . . Cruising along with my hiking/walking through our Australia trip, and then I couldn’t ignore my shoulder injury any longer.  I’m not sure what happened, but sometime in mid-October, I did something bad to my poor right arm, and I had been ignoring it.

Mid-December I visited the orthopedic surgeon who repaired my right rotator cuff thirteen years ago.  After an exam, and a cortisone shot, I left the office with exercises to do, and a promise to return if things didn’t improve after my trip to Tucson in January.

Tucson for two weeks . . . I looked forward to many hiking opportunities with Neil in the Sonoran desert, Sabino Canyon, and surrounds.  Hiking boots, backpack, walking sticks, my 1000 Mile socks, and an old hiking book for the  Tucson area . . . everything we needed except good weather.  We squeezed in one three-mile hike before the weather in Tucson turned too cold for the clothing we brought.  Covering plants at Neil’s brother’s house, we all prepared for some 20 degree nights.  And they came, bringing only a slight bit of relief during the day.  One more hike the day before we returned to Colorado, and then we were back in the winter temperatures of our home town.

And my shoulder was no better.  Another doctor’s visit, an appointment for an MRI, and a shoulder surgery to “release” a shredded bicep tendon, grind out some arthritis in my shoulder socket, and perhaps I’d be nearly good as new.  My doctor wryly reminded me that I no longer had a twenty-year old shoulder.

It’s been four weeks since the surgery, and I’m feeling surprisingly good.  I began to attend my NIA classes again, and am back to walking nearly every day, even if it’s in the freezing snow with my twelve-year old dog!

The other bit of Body Business began when I got a recent diagnosis of Type II Diabetes.  I didn’t need both of these physical issues in one month!  Preparing for the Camino will definitely inject plenty of exercise into my diabetes management regimen, and I very much look forward to warmer days in the near future so I can walk without being so bundled up I look like the Michelin Man.  My hiking boots are getting antsy to be of use again, and I’m counting the time until I leave for Spain.  Only five and a half months!

Taking care of major body health is essential preparation for my Camino.  With a good shoulder, and good insulin balance, I’m better equipped to resume the training I began nearly a year ago.  And I’ll be able to muse again about the reasons I wanted to do this in the first place.  Have i sorted those out?  Is it necessary to know why I’m moving toward this adventure?  My answer is always the same.  I don’t have to know why I’m headed to a Spanish pilgrimage.  I just know that I’m headed there.  And for now, it will be enough.