First an update to my last post. I did eventually lose that toenail I was concerned about. It took several months. As an aside I also lost the toenail on my other foot (same toe different foot) a month or so after the troublesome toe but at no time did it hurt so I have no idea if it was because of the walk that fateful day, however the timing seems incredibly coincidental. I have decided that boots that are exactly my size no matter how comfortable is not the way to go. Last summer I bought walking shoes (new balance) a half size larger than normal and they are working very nice indeed. I am actually reluctant to wear my size 10 hiking boots these days and I'm looking to get a new pair of hiking boots soon ... still debating whether to go a full size larger or only 1/2 size larger ... leaning toward the 1/2 size though. More on that in a later post.
Over the last year I have continued to walk sometimes more sometimes less, rarely more than 6 km at a time however. The idea here for me is to just keep walking. Distance isn't as important to me right now. I am not really in "training" mode just walking for pleasure and to stay in contact with a moderate distance in preparation for more intensive training closer to the start date. Since I am not a spring chicken anymore and have a few mobility issues I am somewhat concerned about aggravating them and thereby potentially undermining the whole trek. In the new year I decided to increase my walking a tad to see how I could manage. I am now walking about 2 hours a day on the treadmill at about 2 mi/hr, or outside for roughly the same length of time. Shortly after increasing my walking distance I started to notice a slight knee problem and I twisted my back at some point as well when working around the house and it's been bothering me a bit. Neither really hamper my walking however so I am not sure it's something to worry about. It may sort itself out in time. I am considering a knee brace for my knee though, to give it an assist. While it doesn't bother me walking it does bother me on stairs and I figure that's not a good thing ...I should probably lose more weight and I am working on that, just not having much success (frustrated!) ... The other issue I was having, last summer at least, was my hips ... since then however I ordered some Trekking poles (Pacer) and that has helped tremendously. I'd have to say that on my shorter walks it is no longer even an issue. Not sure about longer walks though, it might flare up after about 8 km or so, we'll have to see. I am delaying any longer walks for the moment while I sort out my boot and foot issues first. Once I have those well in hand I will have to start getting more ambitious.
Last week I had a podiatrist visit to sort out some long standing foot issues and to get custom orthotics (to address those issues) prior to buying my new hiking boots. I have a few things I need to clean up with my feet. Number one is a bad case of toe fungus that I have been procrastinating about getting fixed. Because of my inattention to it the fungus has spread to 4 toes ... one of which was pretty disgusting when not hidden by nail polish .... sorry TMI ... anyway the doc removed half the nail (yikes) never even felt it, but if it was ugly before, it's hideous now. That particular nail was deformed anyway and virtually impossible to clip ... I had to resort to industrial style clippers much like that used to clip a horses hoof ... except human sized (hangs head in shame) I go for a schedule of 4 laser treatments starting in 2 weeks and my nails should be in fine form by next spring :)
The other problem I have with my feet, is that because of internal rubbing between 2 metatarsal plates? I have built up some internal scar/callus tissue at the base of my toes in the front area of the ball of my foot. (Morton's Neuroma) It isn't a painful condition under normal circumstance, it just feel like my socks might be bunching just behind my toes when I walk, more annoying than painful but that could change when walking the Camino. I have no idea what causes it, maybe obesity, maybe age maybe it's the way my feet are constructed, I have wonky feet anyway, a crooked middle toe on each foot bent sideways and curled under the toe beside my pinky toe (I hate my feet) ... The neuroma may be pressing on some nerves which might be the cause of some numbness in my toes that I have had for some time ... the foot doc was hopeful that fixing the neuroma and the fungus might fix that as well, we'll see. He is making me custom orthotics for the Camino which will address the neuroma as well as being specially designed to help with the day in and day out pounding I will be experiencing on the walk ... all good! If you are considering a Camino, even if you don't have any foot issues I would strongly suggest a podiatrist visit well in advance of your walk so there is time to correct any issues you might have that you don't know about and if you do have any issues I would recommend getting custom orthotics made ... it isn't cheap but is probably worth it in the long run ... without your feet being in good shape you aren't likely to be able to walk far. I made sure my podiatrist visit was well ahead of time, over a year ahead of time in fact, so I have plenty of time to get everything fixed before I go. Obviously, I have some fairly significant issues to address, which in turn will take a fair bit of time to resolve and I wanted to get everything sorted out, so that when it comes time to train in earnest, I'll be ready!
Well that's it for now .... don't stop walking!
