Granted, the above is not the prettiest sight!

For the first 8-9 days my body grumbles. A small blister on the left foot; a small blister on the right foot. My soles feel numb if I walk five hours or more. I have a low-level bruising of the right hip. Despite these physical ailments, I’m holding up fine for the first 200+ kilometers. My muscles and bones seem to be working and holding up, to some degree. As importantly, my digestive and plumbing systems also seem to be problem free.

Trail wisdom is that the first week is all about the body. The body will let one know immediately how it is doing. The second week the emotions of the mind take precedent. Recurring anxieties and obsessions can drive out all sorts of feelings and thoughts. The third week, or there about, one might come to terms with those body and mind “demons.” Might!

So, during these early days of walking, my body chatters with me. It gives me requests, “where’s the break you promised?” Or, it gives me warnings, “you may think your going to make it to the next town, but I got news for you fellow!” Occasionally it boasts to me “you didn’t think I could do it did you!”

I talk to it. “Heh, Randy and Sandy Trail Consulting Ageny made sure that my water bladder works. You should be grateful.” I encourage it “Isn’t this protein bar yummy.”

I must mention how my body craves breakfast. Although some mornings I only drink coffee and eat a croissant, my body goes into ecstasy when I have a full breakfast!

We’ve moved far from ignoring the body. I laugh at “I think; therefore I am.” As evocative as it sounds, we are no “ghost in a machine.” I’m more than “I walk, I move, I’m doing something; therefore I am”, but in some way who I am involves all that physical presence and movement.

At least for now. Of course, I am really , really longing for that rest day when I can just sit on my duff and drink coffee all day!,