Lesperon to Dax – 34km
23C
Terrain: mostly road, some undulating.
The light show was out again this morning.
Along this stretch, I was thinking about what was ahead. The Pyrenees and then Spain. Having looked at the elevation of my route in Spain, it’s certainly hilly! I didn’t realise Spain was that mountainous.
The funny thing is you would have thought that I’m used to being out of my comfort zone by now but I actually started getting quite anxious wondering whether I would be able to do it, how I can’t really speak Spanish etc etc, anxiety building and feeling overwhelmed.
Then I realised that the way I’ve been able to get this far is simply by taking each day at a time (as clichéd as it sounds) and seeing what happens. One step at a time quite literally. Not putting pressure on myself to finish but just getting as far as I can. One step, one day at a time, calm.
Reasoning with myself again, it’s just so important to try to control those rare negative thoughts before they build into anything.
More natural beauty today.
Then the final straight.
So I arrived in Dax and am taking a rest day tomorrow. I may actually need to take two as quite annoyingly I have a bit of an achilles twinge so I’m going to err on the side of caution. I simply can’t afford for it to become anything.
Will see how it feels tomorrow.
Over and out from Dax.
Viv,
Don’t worry re languages, nothing to get anxious about – being a fluent English and French speaker means that you are well versed in Latin based languages and will get the Spanish basics very quickly while over there.
Have fun and keep enjoying it all, great experience. I did a 3 week car trip while over there… Yes it may get a bit hilly in some areas of Spain but the scenery is beautiful, plus your legs are well versed on all terrain running now, you’ll be fine I’m sure.
Abraco
Nando
(And Olivia/Livs)
One step at at time Viv, oh and my mantra ‘and breathe’ . I have a feeling you will adore this particular adventure in Spain.
Loved the video you posted a couple of days ago, so inspiring. Bit like you 😉
repose toi bien à Dax ! bravo pour ce 111 ème jour
je t’embrasse
claire
You describe the mental challenge perfectly.
And oddly applies to anything and everything we do – even a simple but horrific work deadline. Think about all the times you were tempted to give up and simply haven’t – because primarily you’re mental (!) but also because you’re simply amazing and tougher than most.
But when it comes down to it, it’s all about the words in our head that we choose to listen to. *she says, sitting comfortably in her office*.
b.i.s.o.u.s.