Planning to walk from JPP Apr.20. Need to do this

[sirn22]

Hi - I'm planing to start At St. JPP Ar.20. I'm older and just in OK shape.Concerned about endurance especially initially .Need encouragement. HS

 

[WolverineDG]

You can do it. Take your time & don't get caught up in the "OMG, you have to walk 50k a day" mentality. If you have to take a bus, train, or taxi, do it. If you have to stop after 10k-15k, do it.

There's lots of very good information & advice on this board, so take your time & research it. Feel free to ask questions if you need to as well.

Buen Camino!
Kelly

 

[skilsaw]

You will be fine. I met an 80 year old french woman in Melide who had walked from her home in France.
For your endurance, is it possible for you to start training by having a one hour walk a couple times between Monday and Friday, and longer walks - 2,3,4 hours on Saturday or Sunday? It will give you an opportunity to wear your hiking shoes and carry your pack with everything you will need.

SJPP to Roncesvalles on the Route Napoleon is one of the hardest stages on the Camino. There are 2 albergues in between so that you can walk to Roncesvalles in two days. Look up "Orrison" and "Huunto" in this forum. SJPP to Roncesvalles has been discussed many times.

Often pilgrims take the road route through a village called Valcarlos when the weather is bad. Not sure if there is an albergue there, but there is a small hotel. The road route is considered easier than the Route Napoleon.

Start walking, and develop a positive mind set. "I can do this, I will do this." and you will be fine.

 

[Sagalouts]

hi
I'm 63 and will be 64 before you set off and I have walked from SJPP twice, the first time I did not think further than that first days walk 10km to Orrison but I made it and continued to make it all the way to Santiago,on the way I met so many people like me who each day discovered that they could do this thing we grew stronger together and we did it
you will not be on your own there are many in the same boat and the biggest thing I learnt was poco poco, little by little and take each day as it comes and not to think beyond that one day, and you will find as so many before you have found that you have hidden strength.
buen Camino
Ian

 

[Arn]

Hi,

When I got to Orisson I met a lady that was sure this was as far as she would get...we talked, I offered her two options:
1. I would be with her for the first 100km
or
2. I would pay for her transport back to SJPDP

At Roncesvalles she had such bad blisters...but she went on.

At Pampalona...she and I had worse blisters, but we went on

At Estrella...I was so injured I thought to go home...she stayed with me...took a bus with me to 30 Km outside Burgos...and we went on.

The Camino is there for you, with you and in you...

Have no fear...

Buen Camino

Arn

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Don't make the Camino live up to your expectations. Everything is optional, even walking the Camino. Once you have broken the mold that you hoped to use, you will begin having fun!