{"id":19663,"date":"2026-01-10T17:51:48","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T01:51:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/camino\/?p=19663"},"modified":"2026-01-10T17:54:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T01:54:05","slug":"a-saturday-training-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/camino\/a-saturday-training-day\/","title":{"rendered":"A Saturday Training Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I<\/span>n the decade and a half that I’ve trained for Camino, I’ve never done it without Francine before. There are days when that hits me, and I’m overcome with melancholy as I hike. At the same time, sometimes I can feel her with me, off to my left, hiking in her usual place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is the strangest thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, after spending the morning priming the attic (second coat), I had a quick shower and lunch (really more of a second breakfast) and then headed off on one of our usual training hikes. This involves walking down the hill to the waterfront, and then walking down the waterfront a bit before turning around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Francine loved the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n

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When we did this walk together, we would almost always stop at the Spar \u2013 a local bar and restaurant in old Tacoma. We planned many an adventure at those tables! I resolved to stop there on the way back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not for the first time, it hit me as I walked down the waterfront how terribly alone I am. I have family, several close friends, a wide circle of acquaintances, and a loving parish community. Nevertheless, without Francine, I feel like half a person. I feel utterly alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sky was overcast, but clear at the horizon. I could see the Olympic Mountains clearly. The air was cool and perfect for walking. I was at 6 km when I reached the old fire boat, one of our customary turnarounds. I was feeling froggy, so I decided to push it another kilometer.<\/p>\n\n\n

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There were so many people at the waterfront today \u2013 dog walkers, joggers, bicyclists, couples walking arm in arm.<\/p>\n\n\n

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At about the 7 km mark, I rested on a bench for a while before turning back. The air was noticeably cooler now, and there were already fewer people on the waterfront. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time I arrived back at the Spar, it was 2:45 PM, and I had about 10 km under my belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had a burger and a beer, and I plotted my route through B\u00e9arn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I totally lost track of the time and didn’t leave until after 4:30 PM. It was cold enough now that I put on my jacket and gloves. I removed my gloves about halfway through the strenuous hill climb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time I got home at 5:30, it was well and truly dark, and it had started raining. I don’t think I’ll be painting that third coat of primer in the attic today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not counting the strenuous work of painting, I put in 14.4 km today. I need to stretch that to about 18 by the end of the month. By March, I hope to be putting in some 24 km Saturdays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We shall see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n