I decided in July 2018 to walk the Camino in Sept/Oct 2019. I started walking. I learned how to properly use hiking poles. I was getting faster and faster and going further and further. Sure, I hurt a bit at the end of the walks. My plantar fasciitis was acting up on the right foot and then a totally new pain that made the plantar fasciitis seem like nothing flared in my left achilles. Stretching, rolling the foot helped, but overall things were getting worse. New shoes were purchased. Cut back on the walking to 10,000 steps per day and very gently. Since I did not have any history of problems with the achilles despite years of tennis, I did some research. In the jogging literature, this is a huge problem. Many believe it is due to overstriding (taking too big a step) which is something I was definitely doing in my drive for more speed over longer distances.
I cut my stride. I slowed my roll. I gradually started increasing my distance. The pain is gone. There is a little residual tightness that will remind me if I push too hard. I am able to walk without pain. I am able to end my walk, sit in a chair and not agonize about what is going to happen when I try to get up. Most importantly, I know that if I stay within myself, I really should not have problems on the Camino.
I learned some surprising lessons: The speed that I was achieving by my increased pace actually slowed me down. I am not actually taking that much longer to cover distances at this smaller stride, slower pace. Going uphill and downhill is easier with the smaller step (with or without poles). Everything is easier when your feet don't hurt. The walking is now more meditative. I tell myself that it will just take as long as it is going to take, and that makes me feel good.
I still have months to go before my Camino, but I think that I have a handle on the walking. I am sure that those of you who have already done a Camino, already know this lesson. But for those of us getting ready for our first, I thought I'd post about my training experience.
I cut my stride. I slowed my roll. I gradually started increasing my distance. The pain is gone. There is a little residual tightness that will remind me if I push too hard. I am able to walk without pain. I am able to end my walk, sit in a chair and not agonize about what is going to happen when I try to get up. Most importantly, I know that if I stay within myself, I really should not have problems on the Camino.
I learned some surprising lessons: The speed that I was achieving by my increased pace actually slowed me down. I am not actually taking that much longer to cover distances at this smaller stride, slower pace. Going uphill and downhill is easier with the smaller step (with or without poles). Everything is easier when your feet don't hurt. The walking is now more meditative. I tell myself that it will just take as long as it is going to take, and that makes me feel good.
I still have months to go before my Camino, but I think that I have a handle on the walking. I am sure that those of you who have already done a Camino, already know this lesson. But for those of us getting ready for our first, I thought I'd post about my training experience.