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I don't want to get into this again, really, but I just would add that there are many people who walk 35 km a day or more without feeling the way some of these posts describe. It will just depend on you and your own walking pace, and also it will depend on what exactly is the "real camino" for you. If your natural walking pace is, say 5 or 6 km an hour, and if you leave at daylight, you will find that generally you can walk 30 km by early afternoon without tiring, feeling rushed, feeling like you need a nap, etc. If you are one of these 5-6 km an hour walkers, you will have plenty of time to see the town, wash your clothes, commune with others, etc. And you will of course have plenty of time for introspection and observation as you walk. And as you walk, you will also have time for a coffee, for a long chat, for a rest, etc, etc. And you can do it without hanging your head down (I don't think that's harsh, just silly), enjoying yourself every bit as much as someone who is walking slower. All we are talking about is the rate at which you put one foot in front of the other, and that depends totally on your own fitness level and desire, nothing else. The best piece of advice in all of this, I think, is Al's observation that you should do what works for you and your body. All we are telling you is what works for us and our bodies, but "your mileage may vary."
Buen camino, Laurie
p.s. Sorry to go on, but I would add that there is a HUGE difference, IMO, between someone who naturally walks 5-6 km an hour and enjoys it, and someone for whom that is pushing it. I don't encourage anyone to push it, but I do think we ought to recognize that there are many people who can naturally and comfortably walk at that rate, and I don't think there's any point in making them feel like they are rushing through the camino, not getting the full joy of the camino, etc etc.
I did it in one hit from SJPDP in 21 days because that would push me and that is a spirituality per se, God whispers to us in our pleasures.... and shouts at us in our pain (CS Lewis).
I don't get younger souls, getting a massage every other day and covering less than say 20km and having a good few chupitos n cervezas n postres at every meal sitting.
What you describe fits your Spirituality as it relates more to your personal search and connection to the Camino. I completed the Camino in sections so, unlike you, I can actually talk from experience. EVERY single time, regardless of time span, the Camino delivered. To try to confine and define Camino spirituality to a specific way to walk the Camino really shows little understanding on what spirituality truly is and represents.
You don't have to get nobody's Camino as much as nobody's gets to judge yours. There are no formulas that guarantee you will end up with a fullfilling pilgrimage. Those you "don't get" may have found a wonderful connection with their bodies, themselves, with others and may had gain personal growth from those experiences. THAT is spirituality.
amigo, if you are so time limited, I think it does make sense to start in Pamplona and, if you feel fit and do great, maybe consider walking further to Fisterra, Land's End, or "El fin del mundo" (the end of the world). Do not push yourself too much, your approach changes a lot as your pilgrimage is nearer; it is very different to plan things in your home with a computer and probably excess information, and once you are in the Camino. I find I can only plan 2 or 3 stages ahead, and even then I am flexible depending on how my body acts, the weather, bad/good experiences along the way... once in the Camino, my "event horizon" is 2, maybe 3 days ahead, anything else is just whatever comes up. Buen camino!Part of what I do not want to do, is push it. But, good enough for me has never been good enough.
The key here is a pilgrimage. Otherwise I would agree if I want to walk a lot of miles, there are plenty of trails here in the USA like Cinimod mentioned. It is not harsh, it is the truth.
My last big pilgrimage a few years ago was a 3,100 mile trip to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine of driving and camping with no schedule for 10 days. I have traveled a lot in my life, but a pilgrimage is not just a trip or destination for me. I’ve done some shorter ones also including a plans for a 2-day one.
BTW, Laurie, I would much rather have the extra detail than not. Thanks. Besides… look at this post.
I am aiming at May 2016. I suspect as I prepare more, I’ll know what I can handle. But for now, I am trying to develop a strategy that accomplishes that.
The fact is, my time is limited to 28 days in two trips, unless I put it off for 15 years. To dedicate the amount of time, travel and cost which I intend to would be sorely disappointing to know it was left uncompleted or missed out.
I agree with Al in the fact that I would like to have no schedule. Really, the constraints are 28 days. This leads to how to use them. Options seem to be:
• 26 stage plus 2 to have flexibility in schedule
• Making it shorter by starting in Pamplona
• If I get behind, hop a bus to make up. (then I need determine which areas become the possible buffer areas to skip)
amigo, I think you can try your Osprey at home where you are are and see how it feels. To me, my current rucksack is the best I ever had, and I only bought it because it was the only one they had in the shop at the time. Just lucky! I personally would not have the patience to wait till 2016...Well, a decision has been made. Based upon my support back home, my Camino will be two 14 day trips (plus 3 days travel). This means option 1. Start at St Jean Pied de Port and get to wherever… with a follow up trip to finish.
Another decision was made as well when my significant other asked, “Why wait till 2016 when you are able to go next year?” I guess I am in love just a little bit more.
To celebrate my birthday today, my gift was an Osprey Stratos 36 pack after trying a couple out. I am pretty excited about it, but of course, I want to read more on backpacks now to confirm the best choice seeing how many are going with 28-50. There seems to be large variety of choices. The store is 150 miles from home and their return policy is pretty geerous, but I am feeling confident, this is the right size.
Oh, well more time on the forum. But for now, a big hurdle of 'when and how' is one step behind me! Thanks for everyone’s input.
Well, I made the decision to go for it. I plan to do the Camino in two parts due to schedule and such. For more detail, you can see my post at https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...reaking-the-journey-in-two.29540/#post-249731. I started this new thread as this is similar but different and next part of my decision.
Fast background: I’m 49 and pretty decent shape. I completed a 5k race this last month under 25 minutes. Yes, hiking is different than running and this is not a race, but it gives you something to gauge health and ability on.
I found a 26 stage walk at http://santiago.forwalk.org/en/trail/26-days-to-santiago/ that would give a 2 day buffer for breaks or slower pace.
• How realistic do you think this schedule is and does it give time to have a good pilgrimage?
• Am I better off skipping a section or two and slow down?
• Hopefully, I can do it and do it right. If it becomes too tight, where do you make it up?
Just keep in mind that plans change. I entered my camino thinking I would really bust it out. I'm 30, run multiple half-marathons each year with a maintenance run of 10 miles each week. I spend my weekends hiking the Rockies. I planned to conquer the camino. BUT I discovered that a leisurely camino was for me. I'm just saying that - what's that saying? God laughs at our plans.
Crossing the Pyrenees is mostly about bragging rights,
I do think that that first day has put an end to many a Camino before it has hardly started. My long Caminos have always started at Roncesvalles and even that first day was tough enough for me.Are you serious?
Well, a decision has been made. Based upon my support back home, my Camino will be two 14 day trips (plus 3 days travel). This means option 1. Start at St Jean Pied de Port and get to wherever… with a follow up trip to finish.
Another decision was made as well when my significant other asked, “Why wait till 2016 when you are able to go next year?” I guess I am in love just a little bit more.
To celebrate my birthday today, my gift was an Osprey Stratos 36 pack after trying a couple out. I am pretty excited about it, but of course, I want to read more on backpacks now to confirm the best choice seeing how many are going with 28-50. There seems to be large variety of choices. The store is 150 miles from home and their return policy is pretty geerous, but I am feeling confident, this is the right size.
.
Oh, well more time on the forum. But for now, a big hurdle of 'when and how' is one step behind me! Thanks for everyone’s input.
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