Tag 20 - Bercianos del Real Camino nach Leon

Grow beyond myself.
Breakfast was at 7:00. Everyone was supposed to be out of the hostel by 7:30. At 7:33 we were woken up by a hospitalero. We had been given a four-bed room because we were the last to arrive and so we didn't sleep in the big dorm. But that meant we weren't woken up by the noise of the others and overslept...
I set off at 8:00 a.m. Without breakfast and alone. Ryan had already gone ahead. Anton took a bus to Leon because he had new blisters and will have a two-day break there. After having a bad day yesterday, I felt very good today. I started walking slowly again to warm up and then increased the pace. No pain, no aching, everything was going great and I was doing really well. After 1 1/2 hours I reached the first town, El Burgo Ranero, and was finally able to have breakfast. Today I was almost exclusively walking along the country road. Another 2 1/2 hours later I reached Religios and had another bite to eat and another coffee. It was going really, really well and you really didn't lose that much time on your own during the breaks, which was good for me today. At around 2 p.m. I reached Mansilla de las Mulas. Ryan was staying here tonight. In the town I saw lots of pilgrims walking around trying to get places in the hostels. It's too stressful for me and I still feel really fit. No problems in my legs or feet. So I drink a quick coffee and carry on. Anton writes to me that there are hardly any spaces left in the hostel in Burgos. I ask him to reserve one for me because everything is going well and I might be able to walk the whole way to Leon. I want to push myself to the limit today. So I keep going along the country road the whole time. Still at a very good pace. In Puente Villarente I drink another coffee. I'm still feeling great. I can feel my legs a bit, but I do a few stretching exercises and then carry on. We're finally heading off the road for a while. The route is mainly flat all day. There have only been very slight inclines so far. Came? Yes, came! I see a hill in the distance that goes up quite steeply. I guess I was too happy too soon. I quickly grab an energy bar and off I go to master this challenge. Once I've reached the top, the path continues on a flat path for a short time. For a short time. Because in the distance I see a small mountain, no longer a hill, with a path going up it for a long time and steeply. And that's now when my legs are starting to get really heavy. When I get to the top of the mountain, I'm lucky. The path turns left and continues through town. It's not that steep, but I still have to go almost up the hill. It goes downhill again through an industrial area and a bit along the motorway. Behind the mountain on the right-hand side, Burgos Cathedral appears. I've actually made it. OK, there are still 4km to go. This is in the town, but I make a detour for dinner because I'm really hungry. But then the time has come. I really do reach Burgos Cathedral. 2 day stages in one day. With a few detours and a little tour of the town (buying rain pants and going to the barber), the speedometer shows over 50!!! kilometers. Crazy!

Today I definitely exceeded my own expectations. My thoughts carried me and gave me the strength for this effort.

And I feel good and could go even further.
Tomorrow I will sleep in. I don't have to leave the hostel until 10am. Then I will have breakfast and visit the cathedral. Then I will decide whether to move on or stay another night here in Leon.
Cost of the day:
Accommodation 15€Food along the way 19€Dinner 18€