One Week To Go

Getting  Anxious

Every camino starts differently. This one is producing very little in the way of nervousness ... dare I say, it is becoming routine. The only new aspect is the plan to hike in the Alps of Switzerland. The climbs look brutal, especially towards the end, but I do not fear the challenge. I merely wonder how difficult it will ultimately be.

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Travel Itinerary

Leave Rochester Sunday afteroon for a short flight to JFK. After a 2 hour layover, I board the Aer Lingus flight to Dublin. It's pretty simple. Once I'm in Dublin, I just have to arrange for transport (2 busses) from Dublin to Dingle, and then it's time to hike the Dingle Way.

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CheckLists

 1. Check expiration date on credit/debit cards. Done. New cards received.
 2. Notify banks of travel dates so cards aren't locked. Done.
 3. Flu shot. Done.
 4. Credentials arrived. Done

 5. Check passport for expiration date. Done.

 6. Verify any visa requirements. Done. All countries in Schengen Zone.

 7. Health Care / Travel Insurance. Done.

 8. Plane ticket / TSA Precheck. Done.

 9. Test out all your electronics. Done
10. Car insurance expiration date. Done.
11. Mail hold. Rental office will hold. Done.

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Notable memories

Two hours of kayaking on the Genesee River. Made it from center at Genesee Valley Park to the entrance to Little Black Creek park in Chili. Went under one bridge, but the second had too little clearance and was too long for me to not invoke a bit of claustrophobia.

Completed my Coast Guard Auxiliary Search and Rescue Boatcrew Qualification Exam. It was a glorious morning to be out on the water, running thru all the tasks required of a search and rescue boat crewman.

4 Days and Counting: Pretty much all is ready.
Last night Deb and I went to Fringe Fest for two shows. It was relaxing to let the mind wander. One show was cute. One show was awful. LOL. We both laughed about it afterwards.

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Training

	09/07 Kayaking on the Genesee River. Went out for two hours, but half way thru, I felt a twitch in the lower back. I guess I overdid the paddling.
	09/10 Coast Guard Auxiliary Boatcrew Qualification Exam. I know it's not Camino training, but everyone needs a break every once in a while.
	09/12 Joined the Genesee Valley Hiking Club for a 4 mile easy hike along Allen Creek in Penfield. Truth be told, I'm burned out on training. I want to get started.
	09/13 Went out with some hiking buddies for an approximate 5-mile hike in White Brook Nature Park and part of the Perinton Loop circuit. Kind of my final tune up hike. Because Saturday is a rest day.

Two Weeks To Go

Getting  Anxious

Still haven't picked a medical insurance plan.

Waiting on credentials from APOC.

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CheckLists

 1. Check expiration date on credit/debit cards
 2. Check passport for expiration date

 3. Verify any visa requirements

 4. Health Care / Travel Insurance

 5. Plane ticket / TSA Precheck

 6. Test out all your electronics
 7. Car insurance expiration date
 8. Mail hold

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Notable memories

08/30: Had tentative plans to hike thru Switzerland with a camino amigo from years back, but it looks like that will not occur. Given that, I feel like switching Spain and Switzerland in the schedule.

08/31: Roof fell off the barn today, figuratively. My cat escaped somehow from the boarder's yesterday. At least, since yesterday morning, they haven't been able to find him in the house. Maybe he is inside somewhere and hunkered down; maybe he somehow slipped out the door. Regardless, it would be an understatement to say that I am distraught.

09/04: High Falls

09/05: Genesee Greenway trail

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Thoughts on a Schedule

Start Date	Country	Days To Hike
09/17	Ireland	5 days
09/24	Spain	10 days
10/05	Switzerland	9 days
10/17	Portugal	10 days

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Training

10/30   3.0 miles	Adirondacks Kibby Pond	Route	Trail Video
09/02 10.0 miles	Seneca Park to Ontario Beach Park	Route	Trail Video
09/04 4.1 miles	Downtown Rochester loop	Route	Trail Video
09/04 4.1 miles	Genesee Greenway from Rochester to Chili	Route	Trail Video

Training for the Camino

Let's Talk about Training

I've added some new routines to my training plan.

Whereas many folks talk about 'get out and hike', and while I don't object to that idea, I've found more success in all-around training to get the mind, body and spirit in a condition of 'being toned' rather than 'ready for hiking'.

So here is my weekly routine (all subject to modification).

Sunday -> Hiking club ( 5 - 8 miles: can be easy / moderate  / strenuous. Hike leader decides.)

Monday -> 1-mile run (under 10 minutes), flow yoga

Tuesday -> Fit circuit (30 minutes), swimming (30 minutes)

Wednesday -> Pickleball (3 hours)

Thursday -> Pilates, Zumba

Friday -> Rest day.

Saturday -> (My YMCA killer combo): Zumba, Pilates and Yoga

Now I know that you don't see a lot of serious hiking in there. I fit it in around the other activities. For any given week leading up to my departure, I will fit in another 10 - 15 miles. It may sound like heresy, but I've learned that given three or four days, my body adjusts to the hiking, but if I am not physically toned when I start the camino, then it's too late once I'm out there.