Re-entry update and lessons learned

I’ve been back home for over a month now and it’s been challenging. I doubt anyone can do an extended trip like the camino and not return with a change in perspective. My camino life and Portland life are DRASTICALLY different and it’s been difficult to fall back into any sense of rhythm at work or home. It’s starting to happen though and I”m feeling less anxious everyday. Being home with Michele, Seaerra and the animals is comfortable and I did miss my washer and dryer (although they aren’t preloaded with soap and softener and that’s kind of bullshit). Going on runs with Michele and my friends has been a huge help and I feel at my best during and shortly after these outings. Except the first two miles running. Those suck. Hard. It turns out that it’s an entirely different type of fitness between hiking and running. Fun fact, when I breathe hard enough my throat emits a high pitched whistle that only myself and dogs can hear. I wonder if that happens to Usain Bolt? Somehow I doubt it. Anyway, the exercise, friendship and scenery are a Godsend after a week at work.

The Banks Vernonia trail is something to see in the fall

Fallen leaves are beautiful. They are also slick as snot and make an out of practice runner (who is uncoordinated on his best of days) slip and fall like a sack of bricks. Luckily I was still in camino shape and bounced back up.

I missed my co-workers in Portland and I’ve enjoyed getting to reconnect and spend time with them. I’ve come to realize it is really a good group of people and locally we support each other. My opinion of the work has changed since I returned. Whereas I was stressed and frustrated before I left, I now find myself simply uninspired and occasionally apathetic (probably not a quote seen often on employee of the month awards). I still put forth a good effort and I feel I’m still good at my position, it’s just that the consequences of the work itself don’t seem as dire as they once did. I’m not convinced this is a bad thing if I’m being honest.

Also, there’s a new puppy at work and that’s always a good thing:

That’s Axl and he’s pretty sure he wants to come home with me. His owner isn’t so sure.

Photo credit to Bruce Ross

The camino is often on my mind but rather than pine away to fly off and start another huge hike (which will happen again, not sure when but it will happen) I try to think about any lessons I’ve learned from the experience. Most, if not all, of these lessons are really straightforward and probably known by most folks but they are something I gained from the camino. I haven’t discovered them all yet but I thought I’d list some of the ones I have:

1. Silence is a gift and stillness should be embraced. That might be the most zen-ish (that’s a word) thing I ever have or will say, but I stand by it. The world is loud but having spent a lot of time walking in relative silence I’ve learned to appreciate the rare moments of peace that we are presented with. The cover photo is from a morning run. Normally I would’ve glanced up and appreciated it while running. This morning I stopped and took it in after taking the photo. I wasn’t the only one, quite a few of us stopped our running or morning bike commuting to enjoy the view in silence. There were a few small smiles and nods exchanged but that was it. It turns out I don’t have to be in Spain to have a beautiful shared experience. Side note: I’ve still not worn headphones on my runs or hikes and I think this might be a permanent thing. I encourage others to try this, all joking aside it’s had a huge impact

2. New places are awesome. During the walk I went somewhere new EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. That’s not a possibility in normal life for me but it was also discouragingly easy to fall back into the habit of going to the same places, the same route and doing the same things constantly. Most weekdays I’m kind of stuck with the level of exploration I can do. What can you do, work sucks. The weekends however are up to me and I’ve found that going somewhere new when I can is helping me not feel like I’m in a rut. I’m typing this from a new coffee place I’ve never been to. I parked about 6 blocks away and walked through a new neighborhood to get here and got to check it out. Surprise is good for me when I can get it. On the subject of surprise, I didn’t expect it to be pouring rain and I’m sitting here watching it monsoon while only wearing a wool sweater. My walk to the car is going to be interesting since now that the rain has started I suspect it won’t stop until May. I might ask to borrow a trash bag and don the emergency camino poncho. Apparently I left my pride in SJPP and I’m good with that as well.

3. Driving sucks ass. I don’t like driving and I really hate drive commuting. I didn’t like it before and I really don’t like it now. My day seems better when I don’t have to do it and I’m hoping to minimize it in the future. Working from home, taking the train, becoming an internet life coach, or starting a pedal powered corn dog food cart are all ideas I’m kicking around. Ideas are welcome just keep in mind that i have a very limited skill set and work ethic.

4. Conference rooms are where souls go to die. This is probably just a Glenn thing but I was inclined to accept nearly every meeting I was invited to at work. 75% didn’t need me and I spent the time either staring at my phone while worrying about the work I wasn’t getting done or being confused as to why I was there and what my role was. My standard response to many invites now is, “let me know what role I will play in this so I can be prepared when we meet”. It’s worked brilliantly and cut back on my meetings by half. It also doesn’t make me seem like a dick by just declining but rather that I want to be fully prepared and engaged during the meeting. Anyone from work reading this please know that I’m not doing this to you, just the other people.

5. Connect and appreciate. There’s seldom a good reason not to stop for a couple of minutes to connect with a friend, or even a stranger. I’m not in that much of a hurry. I’m actually good at time management (that along with break dancing and freestyle jazz rap are my three main skills) and have a minute to spare. In addition, I need to continue to take a moment to let people know that they are appreciated.

6. My body isn’t the train wreck that I thought it was. My number one concern going into this thing was whether I could complete it. Between my heart condition and just being a nearly 50 year old man with a rotund past (and a little less rotund present) I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. Well, I did. Not only did I finish it with no rest days but I got stronger as I went along and ended in some of the best shape of my life. I think that I might have subconsciously thought I was limited in what I could do because of my little heart condition deal (despite my cardiologist saying that this was fine to do). Not the case anymore, I’m much more confident in my abilities then I was before. At least when it comes to hiking. I’m still shit as a runner.

7. Keep walking dummy. In all things.

Morning run before work. This is what I look like with a trimmed beard. I don’t like it.

So that’s my list of lessons learned at this point. I notice other things every week that are a little different about how I perceive myself or the world. I think that’s the gift of the camino. That and a keen knowledge of foot care.

See ya.