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Gerry--are you & son the guys from Arkansas hiking in June? If so, you did good as you always caught up to us!
I heard the same thing, suffering from a knee injury. It's nobody else's place to question or judge YOUR camino. I commend you for making it, and what's more, sticking it out through the hardships.
On another note, to the person above me, I am from arkansas! I'd love to know some other Arkansans here now. I made it to santiago this morning.
I was asked both of these questions while walking the Camino and had to come up with an answer to satisfy the person's curiosity. Both questions were asked with the implication that I had not trained enough. One person even told me I was walking like an old man, which I was, but I didn't want to hear it.
First, we need to realize that people's physical issues aren't always readily apparent from the outside. While I and others look perfectly healthy on the outside, we may have things going on that the asker is not aware of. In my case, I have fought a lifelong battle with a genetic disorder called Heterotaxy and another related order known as PCD, both of these affect my heart and lungs and make it very difficult for me to catch a breath, especially on the long uphill portions of the Camino. In addition, I have other physical defects such as having one leg shorter than the other and have to wear a special shoe to make up for the difference in length. This causes my right leg to take a beating. The fact that I'm walking these types of distances at all is an accomplishment.
The simple answer would have been to say, "because my heart and lungs work differently than yours". I seriously considered saying it, but held off and just said that my training was on flat land, thereby saving the person asking some embarrassment. In truth, there's no way I could ever train to be as efficient as other walkers, even if I walked 20 miles uphill every day. My heart and lungs offer diminishing returns as time goes by and are working at peak capacity for me.
Next time you're walking with someone who seems rather slow or who seems to be taking it way easy, keep this in mind, especially if you don't know them. They may have something going on that you aren't aware of.
You know what!! The fact that you even had to consider the question makes me mad.....each person's Camino is theirs and they should not have to explain anything about it - and before I go off pop, I remember what my mother taught me: "If you can't say something nice/polite/friendly - then don't say anything" So, right on mom....nothing more to be said - Just Buen Camino GerryDel
wow,people can be so rude !! even if you did not have health issues maybe you were someone that didnt get a chance to get in a lot of training or maybe you were someone that had all the time in the world to stroll the camino its YOUR business what pace you go,also fair play to you for sparing the feelings of the people that felt a need to comment that was a kind thing to do ,not sure i could have resisted the temptation on a bad day to make them squirm.[not nice i know]Thanks Jane. Buen Camino.
It does seem an odd and rather a rude question. I guess you could have just said I'm not walking slow.
It's kind of like the people who speed past you only to be stopped at the same red light.
It's your camino and you completed it. Well done!
Gerry, I wouldn't have bothered too much. On all of my Caminos I have seen "slow" people eventually getting faster to destination than me. How can we define "slow" anyway?
Last year I walked with a small group called "Caracoles" (snails) and one of our participants on crutches outpaced us on various occasions. There is an Italian saying: "chi va piano, va sano e lontano" - he who goes slowly, goes healthily and far away"
Just keep on walking!
Sent from my iPad using Camino de Santiago Forum
I sat here thinking of all sorts of great answers to those incredibly rude questions and wondered what clever people might come up with (I just KNOW there would be some great ones!!!)....and then decided to calm down and learn from your graciousness.
You're a great example to us all.
wow,people can be so rude !! even if you did not have health issues maybe you were someone that didnt get a chance to get in a lot of training or maybe you were someone that had all the time in the world to stroll the camino its YOUR business what pace you go,also fair play to you for sparing the feelings of the people that felt a need to comment that was a kind thing to do ,not sure i could have resisted the temptation on a bad day to make them squirm.[not nice i know]
I was asked both of these questions while walking the Camino and had to come up with an answer to satisfy the person's curiosity. Both questions were asked with the implication that I had not trained enough. One person even told me I was walking like an old man, which I was, but I didn't want to hear it.
First, we need to realize that people's physical issues aren't always readily apparent from the outside. While I and others look perfectly healthy on the outside, we may have things going on that the asker is not aware of. In my case, I have fought a lifelong battle with a genetic disorder called Heterotaxy and another related order known as PCD, both of these affect my heart and lungs and make it very difficult for me to catch a breath, especially on the long uphill portions of the Camino. In addition, I have other physical defects such as having one leg shorter than the other and have to wear a special shoe to make up for the difference in length. This causes my right leg to take a beating. The fact that I'm walking these types of distances at all is an accomplishment.
The simple answer would have been to say, "because my heart and lungs work differently than yours". I seriously considered saying it, but held off and just said that my training was on flat land, thereby saving the person asking some embarrassment. In truth, there's no way I could ever train to be as efficient as other walkers, even if I walked 20 miles uphill every day. My heart and lungs offer diminishing returns as time goes by and are working at peak capacity for me.
Next time you're walking with someone who seems rather slow or who seems to be taking it way easy, keep this in mind, especially if you don't know them. They may have something going on that you aren't aware of.
GerryDel -- am impressed with your poise and calm! Bravo! Will remember this next time I'm asked an Ogre-question....!
(i'd might have responded with something like: "oh...this huffing and puffing? you know, the last chap who asked such a silly question I simply had to strangle --- and that's hard work, am surprised to say - putting me a bit out of breath. Apologies for that! next time i might better use a shotgun?!?! what do you think?" --- while trying to keep a straight face!)
curiously enough, this I've read this afternoon in "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenance" by R.Pirsig:
"...The reality of your own nature should determine the speed.
If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you're no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn't just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. ..."
and this is so true universally: "....They may have something going on that you aren't aware of...."
Very Best Wishes to you --- and wellness inside out.
I was asked both of these questions while walking the Camino and had to come up with an answer to satisfy the person's curiosity. Both questions were asked with the implication that I had not trained enough. One person even told me I was walking like an old man, which I was, but I didn't want to hear it.
First, we need to realize that people's physical issues aren't always readily apparent from the outside. While I and others look perfectly healthy on the outside, we may have things going on that the asker is not aware of. In my case, I have fought a lifelong battle with a genetic disorder called Heterotaxy and another related order known as PCD, both of these affect my heart and lungs and make it very difficult for me to catch a breath, especially on the long uphill portions of the Camino. In addition, I have other physical defects such as having one leg shorter than the other and have to wear a special shoe to make up for the difference in length. This causes my right leg to take a beating. The fact that I'm walking these types of distances at all is an accomplishment.
The simple answer would have been to say, "because my heart and lungs work differently than yours". I seriously considered saying it, but held off and just said that my training was on flat land, thereby saving the person asking some embarrassment. In truth, there's no way I could ever train to be as efficient as other walkers, even if I walked 20 miles uphill every day. My heart and lungs offer diminishing returns as time goes by and are working at peak capacity for me.
Next time you're walking with someone who seems rather slow or who seems to be taking it way easy, keep this in mind, especially if you don't know them. They may have something going on that you aren't aware of.
GerryDel:
First, I would like to congratulate you on Completing your Camino. We all face different challenges on our Camino's.
I, in general, have found Pilgrims to be better than the general population. I agree with Laurie that the Folks on the Camino reflect the general population but to a lesser extant than daily life. While we have a tendency to talk about some of the more negative actions on the Camino, I feel the positive actions of Pilgrims far outweigh the negative.
Maybe it would have been appropriate for you to answer the question more factually. We all need to grow and learn in life. A more factual answer from you might have taught this individual/s to pause before asking such a question in the future. This could have been a teaching opportunity missed.
Ultreya,
Joe
Nobody ever asked me why I was walking slow. There's something about me that makes the answer obvious. Or maybe they had to catch me in those moments when I actually was moving.
Reading all these different replies and having experienced fellow peregrinos asking me questions on both my Caminos (why are you doing it? Why are you alone? Etc) makes me wonder why would they be interested? I'm just not that curious about someone else's business. I never asked such questions. I noticed the questions mainly came from tourist peregrinos walking the last 100 k. I would only ask such a question to someone I knew well. Not someone I just met. I have to say, the tourist, local peregrinos puzzled me the most. Odd way to do a vacation. Have all your bags hauled ahead and walk with a small pack and stay in crowded albergues. I just don't get it. Anyone that applies to, please enlighten me.....
I dragged my sick foot (neuropathy afflicted) behind me for 775 km over six weeks. I can walk at 6 km/hr if I send my pack forward and 4 km/hr if I'm carrying. On the days I can plan on where I am going to stop for the next night I use Jacotrans. My final day into Santiago I was passed by German hiker I'd seen many times before and he asked to me, "Is that all you are carrying today?" Was I supposed to be ashamed because I was walking 20 km (my personal limit for a day) with a day pack? In Santiago I ran into an Irish couple I'd walked with during the final week who I was usually carrying a full backpack with when I walked with them. I related the German's comment to them and Brendan said you should have just said, "up y........."
Congratulations Gerry! Well done. Spanish people always asked me why I was walking alone. I answered "porque nadie me quiere' (because nobody loves me) with a laugh and they accepted it - saying 'no le creo' (I don't believe you) and waved me on wishing me buen camino.
But it did strike me as an odd question -especially since I got asked so many times. It doesn't sound as critical as the one you got sounds. Sometimes I just think people are curious - rather than critical.
Congrats on finishing your Camino and kudos to you for your tact and patience when dealing with fellow peregrinos who ask stupid questions or make rude comments. I probably would have told them to piss-off, ha ha.
Gerrydel.... So proud of you! One of the things I learned from my Camino was patience, patience, patience. Before my Camino I would have answered those rude & inconsiderate questions with "what is it to you or none of your blinking business, walk your Camino not mine, who made you the Camino police, etc." and if I were walking now I probably would just have looked at them straight in the eyes then turn around & walk away. Then I will silently pray for them. Buen Camino!!
One of the regrets I had from my 2012 Camino, was I thought I walked it too fast. Im going to try it again in 3 weeks, this time slower and maybe get it right this time!
Buen Camino
"Snake"
The reason many people do what you're calling the tourist pilgrimage is because that's all they have time for, or they are doing it for the compestela. I walked about 120 miles on my camino. I hope to return and finish later. My work only allowed me about 10 walking days, so that was all I did. I did it for the actual pilgrimage. As a Catholic I wanted to do at least one pilgrimage during my life. I also did it to prove I could do a tough physical task despite medical conditions, and to spend some quality time with my son before he goes off to college.
Hi, GerryDel. Congratulations on your Camino! I don't think we owe others an explanation for why we may be walking slowly. (Isn't it usually due to pain or some other physical issue?!) My preferred response: "I'm walking slowly so that you may have your choice of beds." Equivalent to turning the other cheek.
I was asked both of these questions while walking the Camino and had to come up with an answer to satisfy the person's curiosity. Both questions were asked with the implication that I had not trained enough. One person even told me I was walking like an old man, which I was, but I didn't want to hear it.
First, we need to realize that people's physical issues aren't always readily apparent from the outside. While I and others look perfectly healthy on the outside, we may have things going on that the asker is not aware of. In my case, I have fought a lifelong battle with a genetic disorder called Heterotaxy and another related order known as PCD, both of these affect my heart and lungs and make it very difficult for me to catch a breath, especially on the long uphill portions of the Camino. In addition, I have other physical defects such as having one leg shorter than the other and have to wear a special shoe to make up for the difference in length. This causes my right leg to take a beating. The fact that I'm walking these types of distances at all is an accomplishment.
The simple answer would have been to say, "because my heart and lungs work differently than yours". I seriously considered saying it, but held off and just said that my training was on flat land, thereby saving the person asking some embarrassment. In truth, there's no way I could ever train to be as efficient as other walkers, even if I walked 20 miles uphill every day. My heart and lungs offer diminishing returns as time goes by and are working at peak capacity for me.
Next time you're walking with someone who seems rather slow or who seems to be taking it way easy, keep this in mind, especially if you don't know them. They may have something going on that you aren't aware of.
Hello Gerry, I read your profile it seems we have much in common. I also have a genetic disorder called Spinocerebellar Ataxia, it is a neurological condition. I also have had two heart attacks with i have had 4 stents inserted. So i can try and understand why it has been so hard for you. I do worry about myself walking the Camino de santiago, as i am going to walk it in late 2017. So i have a bit of time to train and save! I just wanted you to know you were not alone on this journey, Take Care.
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