I’m currently 2 days into the Camino del Norte from Irun. I’ve trained in the past for more intense activities (rowing, cycling) so I’m used to a 2-3 week taper before the event. And used to that feeling of overflowing with energy and no niggling aches that comes from a well executed taper. I trained for this Camino in a relatively structured way, as that’s what I’m used to, and everyone told me that CDN is a hard one and the first week is the hardest. Two days in, it has worked well for me this time to:
- stop doing any weighted pack walks above my expected load 3 weeks before.
- 2 weeks before I stopped doing expected daily distance walks 23 km with expected pack weight. That is, I would do shorter walks with expected weight, or expected distance walks with little or no weight.
- in the final 4 weeks I reduced the amount of “simple walk with pack” training and spent more time on technical things, like walking at faster cadence with no weight, with and without poles, and shorter walks with some weight on steep trails, rocky and uneven surfaces. (That has turned to be a good idea for CDN day 1. Terrain was quite challenging in a few spots.)
- in last week, just a few short walks, light load if I felt really energetic, nothing if I felt at all tired. And as mentioned above, with a day lost to travel and one for some time zone adjustment, virtually nothing on last few days. (Although carrying your pack between terminals of a major airport can be a bit of a workout!)
- something to keep in mind re tapering, is that potential for an aerobic or strength training effect from your labours in two weeks is virtually nil, there is no benefit to pushing it then. You can train technique and nervous system in that short period though, so there is a benefit to technical training.
I’m not a sports physiology expert — although I have been coached by some - but that’s what I did and it seems to have worked for the Camino I’m on. Arrived in energy overload and no aches. Perhaps resulted in an over-exuberant first 15 km, but I’ve settled in now.