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  1. mattythedog

    How to choose a Camino Prep Fitness Program?

    Now electrolytes needed. Water is fine. They salt most of the food, and as long as you eat healthy and stay hydrated you will be fine. Unless you run this thing, it’s no intensive workout.
  2. mattythedog

    Painful corns on foot - any advice?

    As posted, pro is best. I have used a razor knife a couple times to whittle away my own corn, but beware the hard callous can go deep. I wonder if a pedicurist might have experience with these
  3. mattythedog

    How to choose a Camino Prep Fitness Program?

    Lots to choose from in these posts, but how to decide......Best if your program includes things you like or do not mind doing. Boring things can really throw a program off track. Excessive soreness that does not diminish in a few days indicates you may need to try something different or...
  4. mattythedog

    What exercises to do to strengthen lower back?

    WOW! Thank you for the detailed information and your specific treatments. It is always good to hear real world experience, and a lot of what you do would apply to most people, even healthy people, to assist their physical condition.
  5. mattythedog

    What exercises to do to strengthen lower back?

    Suggestions: since you are extremely fit due to cycling, but concerned about walking with a pack, get the pack weight down to 4 kg. Unless you are already very lean, lose body weight also. You are very strong in upper body, so if you were not already planning on using trekking poles, plan on...
  6. mattythedog

    Walking with Wet Feet: Debunking the Myths

    This is why I only carry 2 pairs of merino wool hiking socks on Camino: the pair I wear and the dry pair in/on my pack. If feet get wet I just ring out the socks while taking a break. When I put them back on, they feel like dry socks!
  7. mattythedog

    Bed bugs in books!

    Bed bugs in books. I read about that
  8. mattythedog

    6 Month Training & Weight Loss Plan for an Overweight/Plus Size Pilgrim

    Hey Lauren, sorry I got your name wrong. Another idea: join your local American Pilgrims on the Camino chapter. At least in my neighborhood, the 2 chapters I belong to organize 2-4 hikes per month. Great chance to meet like minded Pilgrims who live near you, and maybe link up for some your...
  9. mattythedog

    6 Month Training & Weight Loss Plan for an Overweight/Plus Size Pilgrim

    Sounds like a great plan, Barb! I wish you well. I expect you will be able to lose much more than 24 lbs. Read the book, EAT, MOVE, SLEEP by Tom Rath. Its diet recommendations worked for me, but as said in this post, what one person does might not work for another. I'm over 60, not...
  10. mattythedog

    Any pilgrims in their 80s?

    I have walked with people in their 80's. Some carry their own packs. Some send them ahead as they see fit. Many prearrange albergues or hotels. Most hike with trekking poles. Most expect to take longer than 35 days to complete the CF. 2 years ago I met a nice couple at the albergue in...
  11. mattythedog

    Base training level-future Camino at least a year away?

    Well, I plan on doing at least one Camino every year and may leave at any time. Training involves loading an old MOLLE pack to 4X Camino base weight, or 18kg, and carrying it while walking the dog 2-3x per day for a total of 7.5-15km. That way I don't have to do any 25km+ training hikes, which...
  12. mattythedog

    How do I harden my feet?

    As said in several posts, walk barefoot. Start in and around your house, then on pavement, then on dirt paths, then on gravel paths. Also walk in your Camino shoes without socks, but not to the point of blisters or skin removal.
  13. mattythedog

    Training plan help - 10weeks from starting!

    Immediately: If you are overweight, lose it. 10 weeks is plenty of time to lose 20 lbs or more if you put your mind to it. Amazing how much that reduces all forms of joint pain. Get trekking poles and learn to use them properly-today! As others said, immediately see an orthopedic doctor (I...
  14. mattythedog

    Electrolytes.

    Agree with Tincatinker. I have taken various physical fitness courses, had gym memberships and trained with the military. I learned that only extremely arduous/long sports activities and intense training practice in very hot weather require supplements. In 10 Caminos with numerous 40 km days...
  15. mattythedog

    Hard or soft skin on feet and toes?

    J, this is one of the best responses I have seen on this blog
  16. mattythedog

    Training, heavy rain for 2 weeks

    I second Rick M. The more preparation and training, the more enjoyable will be your Camino. No US Marine would go into battle, no marathon runner would enter the race, no football player would get into a tournament without prior training and prep. Do a few walks in the rain to test your gear...
  17. mattythedog

    Camino training - now having lateral foot pain

    Lose weight, learn proper technique and use trekking poles, minimize pack weight. If foot pain becomes unmanageable, rent a bike.
  18. mattythedog

    Managing Knee Pain: What Has Worked for You?

    Amen on the water down the sleeves! My first walking CF I also did Muxia/Finisterre and then Camino Ingles++ for about 1200 km with extensive experimentation on my adjustable poles to find one length worked well in all cases for me. Dumb luck. Now if I just put load cells in each pole along...
  19. mattythedog

    Managing Knee Pain: What Has Worked for You?

    Happy New Year Dougfitz, I like the way you think. Francois, who I met on on the hill to Roncessvalles in 2016, told me the poles reduced 25% of the load on his feet. He had come from Le Puy wearing a kilt the whole way. I figured he knew what he was doing. Upon return to USA I bought a set...
  20. mattythedog

    Managing Knee Pain: What Has Worked for You?

    Hi Tom, anything you can do to reduce the load on your knees will help increase Camino comfort and postpone those operations. Number 1 is lose body weight. Get pack base-weight + food and water to 5 kg or below. You didn't want to hear about poles, and maybe you are among the very few...

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