what i learned in school today

today my studies included a long walk
i measured out approx. 5.3 miles
and i learned a few things along the way

after the initial inspiration
i loaded up my backpack with weight
i threw in some barbells
and some ankle weights
and some cast iron woodplanes
and my sleeping bag
i thought you know what i'm not going to weigh this
i'm just going to hit the road
so i lofted the thing on my back and immediately knew
a little surprise
i immediately knew that after 5 miles i would be tired
with this much weight
i wondered how much weight i was carrying
i thought: it feels like 50 maybe 60 lbs

well i walked about a mile to the interstate bridge
and i took the pack off and i felt almost like i was about to fly
my legs felt light and wobbly and i thought
geez
this pack is really heavy
so i had a little over a mile to go before i turned around
i hoofed it
the last part of the mile was all uphill and i hoofed it
my new KEEN boots felt great
the only concern i had was the knowledge that my feet aren't used
to being cooped up in boots
so my big toes particularly was aching a bit from rubbing against the
upper part of the shoe below the tongue
i realized my toenails were a little long
but i also felt i could go on and not have a problem

at the end of the second mile i lifted the pack off again
and again i had the sensation that i maybe could fly
i thought...man i hope i don't have to consider carrying a pack this heavy...
i took off my boots and my feet rejoiced
not that they were uncomfortable but
they were feeling the effects of new shoes new solid insoles
and considerable weight on the high end
my shoulders were sort of sore
and my hips and thighs were complaining ever so slightly but
noticeably just the same
so i set out to return and after one mile i stopped again
i took my pack off i took my shoes off
and i stretched and walked a bit
i had eaten an appple and an orange
so i felt strong and i knew i had enough energy
but my legs were starting to ache a bit

gee i wonder how much this thing weighs
i thought and thought

i thought
when i get home i will weigh myself right away
and then get a reading without the pack on

i was walking into the monastery when the bells for mass began to ring
but i rushed up to the communal shower room and stood on the scale
277 pounds it said
so i released myself from the pack
and i weighed in at 231
that's with boots and clothing

so a 46 lb pack
i said to myself
no way am i going to haul 46 pounds
my goal is to carry half that

as i neared the monastery i asked myself
could i walk further
and actually i felt a second wind coming on
and i thought you know
i could walk another 2 or 3 miles
but that would be about it

with half the weight i could've walked another 5 or 6 miles easily

so what did i learn

 i learned that it has been a long time since i've carried weight on my shoulders
and my lower back and innerthighs are making that known right now as i type

i learned that pacing and stopping and stretching help a lot

i learned that by cinching up my bootlaces i can add some strength to my feet
it's better than having them loose as i did when i began

i learned i do not want to carry 45 lbs
and thus it behooves me to strategize for lightness

i learned that certain areas of my feet might become susceptible to blisters
and that i could in fact know that as i walk and i could address this immediately
with tape

i also got a sense that with a few days effort even 45 lbs would become mangaeable
i felt that i would get stronger by the day if my feet would hold out

tomorrow i want to do a strengthening session with my full 45 lbs pack
i'm going to keep it heavy for a few days
hoping that when i finally pack for this pilgrimage
i will be delighted in the lightness of my burden

i also had a profound sense that the pilgrimage has already begun

reporting from central lake woeBgone