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Thanks! We'll try to get a few walks inYes. But you have a few weeks to build up to some longer distances. If you are only doing a couple of longer days, getting to around 25km in your last training walks might be sufficient.
Hi, I saw that you are from the Netherlands. Try to do some training walks in the south of Holland. Lots of hills and some are very steep.Thanks! We'll try to get a few walks in
Well, tell me if you find help. I've tried to change mine (look to the left: too many words) and I see NO way of editing this. So there's two of us.
...a bit overwhelming ...?
I'd plan a rest day on the day after I doubled my usual distance. Because I know I would need it badly.
We're planning on doing the Camino Portuguese in August and can't seem to escape doing a couple of 30 km days. We're fairly fit but haven't really done more than 15 km on our practice walks. Is 30 km going to be a bit overwhelming?
Bad Pilgrim makes a good point. Even if you can manage that distance fine at first (and you likely could with that amount of training), the simple fatigue can be intense. So if there's a way at the outset to cover the distance in shorter chunks, it's much easier on the body. And if you use the first week or so of walking as distance training there's much less chance of injury down the road.If not injuries, simple fatigue can be a nuisance. For me last year, the build-up was too steep: 24 - 30 - 37 kms the first three days. The fourth day was shorter, but a nightmare, as my legs felt like they were made of wood. (Meaning I could barely feel them, not as in "strong" as made of wood...) I won't make that mistake again. Later on I would make 35-40 kms without too much fuzz but that's like after two weeks...
So general advice is to do shorter stages at first, and/or with many breaks, or to go for Anemone's advice with flip-flopping back to the starting point.
You're most welcome, Bad Pilgrim, and I'm glad to see that you haven't purged your details completely!Holy cow, it worked! Thanks!
Thanks for the help. I was sort of relieved to see I wasn't the only one baffled by this.Click on your name (Upper right at the top of the Forum page)
Click 'Personal Details'
Scroll down until you get to what you want to change...change it and save it.
I just tried it and it worked for me.
Relax! I'm not so fit and my job is sedentarian and I had something like 6-8km/day before I went on Camino. But I had no problems doing 32km+ per day. You're going to walk 6 hours+ per day, so you should manage your energy. From my experience the first 3 or 4 days are the hardest.We're planning on doing the Camino Portuguese in August and can't seem to escape doing a couple of 30 km days. We're fairly fit but haven't really done more than 15 km on our practice walks. Is 30 km going to be a bit overwhelming?
Hi Carza. This document will help you on the 30Km stages. It is available on this fórum in resources:We're planning on doing the Camino Portuguese in August and can't seem to escape doing a couple of 30 km days. We're fairly fit but haven't really done more than 15 km on our practice walks. Is 30 km going to be a bit overwhelming?
Hi. I'm 70 started at SJ and now 40ks from Santiago . I have done a 36 a 34 and a few around 30. Not to easy but Also not to hard. 4K and hour leave at 8 arrive at 4 with 2 or 3 coffee breaksWe're planning on doing the Camino Portuguese in August and can't seem to escape doing a couple of 30 km days. We're fairly fit but haven't really done more than 15 km on our practice walks. Is 30 km going to be a bit overwhelming?
Hi Carza. This document will help you on the 30Km stages. It is available on this fórum in resources:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/short-stages-from-lisbon-to-porto.133/
Bom Caminho
Mario
We're planning on doing the Camino Portuguese in August and can't seem to escape doing a couple of 30 km days. We're fairly fit but haven't really done more than 15 km on our practice walks. Is 30 km going to be a bit overwhelming?
Thanks very much for your reply! Do you have any recommendations? We were thinking of taking a trip...You're more than welcome for some practice walks in Zuid Limburg!
Hi! Thanks for the advice. Yes, the three days that are between 28-31 kms are in the middle of the journey so I'm hoping that we will build up to it. We'll also probably break up one of those legs. I'm hoping that stopping for regular breaks will help on the really long days...I think it depends on when those 30 days are located within the itinerary and on your condition on those days. Some days you just feel more or less cabpable. I started my Camino walking only about 12-15 km days. My feet would start really complaining and I listened to them. (I treated them well, and they reciprocated-no blisters.) Then, as I walked on, my kilometrage increased. This happened just naturally, not planned. I did not book ahead very much, and when I did, it was usually just earlier the same day. That way I could listen to my feet (and other body parts), or stop at an interesting place, etc. In the last 100 km I had to schedule my days due to looming time constraints. I did 25 km, followed by 2 consecutive 30 km days during that time. I walk slowly, but walked long days. I had no repercussions but could not have continued that pace much longer, despite being quite (for me) fit. Of course, I'm 68 and that factors in for sure. So, I think you will manage fine, and as Anemone del Camino said, you may have options involving a taxi if the distance is too much for you on that particular day. Don't forget to hydrate well, and take shoes and socks off during your breaks. I see you are walking in August. Best wishes.
Hi! Thanks for your reply. Yep I do think we'll try to break up one of those three hard stages into 2 days of 15 km or so......or at least an easy and/or short day.
Thanks for your response! That makes me feel a bit better. We're 30ish and in decent shape so while 30 km isn't something we do normally, 20 km is so I'm hoping the jump isn't too painful.Relax! I'm not so fit and my job is sedentarian and I had something like 6-8km/day before I went on Camino. But I had no problems doing 32km+ per day. You're going to walk 6 hours+ per day, so you should manage your energy. From my experience the first 3 or 4 days are the hardest.
Thanks Mario! Do you know if there is something like this from Porto onwards? Thanks!Hi Carza. This document will help you on the 30Km stages. It is available on this fórum in resources:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/short-stages-from-lisbon-to-porto.133/
Bom Caminho
Mario
Hi! Thanks for your response! That makes me feel better-I think the breaks will be key and perhaps a nice long lunch to rest the legs...Hi. I'm 70 started at SJ and now 40ks from Santiago . I have done a 36 a 34 and a few around 30. Not to easy but Also not to hard. 4K and hour leave at 8 arrive at 4 with 2 or 3 coffee breaks
Thanks very much for your reply! Do you have any recommendations? We were thinking of taking a trip...
I just walked 775 km from San Jean. Only had one day of practice before. I am a 1948 model and was not fit at all. My advice focus on the journey not the destination. Enjoy it take rest days and if you run into trouble take a bus. But don't let your own plans hijack your experience! Santiago was a bit of anticlimax. But the journey was amazing. Don't forget to go to the small Chapel at the office in Santiago! It brings everything together! Frederick HolscherWe're planning on doing the Camino Portuguese in August and can't seem to escape doing a couple of 30 km days. We're fairly fit but haven't really done more than 15 km on our practice walks. Is 30 km going to be a bit overwhelming?
Hello Carza, I think you will be fine on the work you are doing, I just completed the French way and we also worried about the 30k stretches but when it came down to it we took our time and plodded on. The feeling when you first achieve it is fantastic and a little aching ;0) The truth is there is not much distance between 25k and 30k - it's very psychological x enjoy xWe're planning on doing the Camino Portuguese in August and can't seem to escape doing a couple of 30 km days. We're fairly fit but haven't really done more than 15 km on our practice walks. Is 30 km going to be a bit overwhelming?
Thanks! We'll try to get a few walks in
I don't mean to be a downer but it's more than just a few days of 30 Kms, it is 8 straight from Lisbon to Coimbra (plus or minus a couple of kilometres each day). Im not an alarmist but please be realistic with your abilities. I am now on day 22 from Lisbon and completed the Camino Frances, including several 40 km plus days with hardly a blister. Lisbon to Porto is different. It is 80% asphalt. Road surface plays a huge role in Camino stress. Then there's the heat. There are very few facilities between checkpoints in many cases. Coimbra is a great starting point because the route becomes more forgiving. Towns south of there are lovely but very industrial in between. I ended up in hospital with heat and stress related foot injury by stage 5 (Tomar). Just letting you know. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you well and Buen Camino.
Hi, JRR, Welcome to the forum. I am very sorry to hear about your hospital visit, not exactly the way you hope to spend your days on the camino. Hope you are ok and that you were able to finish your Caminho.
Your comment about 8 straight days from Lisbon to Coimbra is a little bit misleading. For one thing, as of May, there is an albergue in Alpriate, which is 20 km from the Lisbon cathedral. So that makes the first day a nice easy starter. As others have pointed out there are places to stay in some of the other non-traditional end points, like Azinhaga and Porto de Muge. And you do have the option of getting the "pick and drop" service from the hospitaleros at Santarem, Alviaizare and Tomar, which is detailed here:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/short-stages-from-lisbon-to-porto.133/.
There's no doubt that the infrastructure on the Lisbon-Porto part has lagged behind, but it is picking up. As the numbers keep increasing, no doubt the facilities will open to respond to the demand.
I agree that asphalt is extremely hard on pilgrim feet. But I do know that the Via Lusitana has been working hard to move pilgrims off the road, and they have had some good success, surely there is more to do, though. Bom Caminho, Laurie
We're only doing from Porto onwards so I'm hoping it's okay. I'm sorry to hear about your injury. I know how bad the asphalt is for your body so I'm hoping we're able to handle it.I don't mean to be a downer but it's more than just a few days of 30 Kms, it is 8 straight from Lisbon to Coimbra (plus or minus a couple of kilometres each day). Im not an alarmist but please be realistic with your abilities. I am now on day 22 from Lisbon and completed the Camino Frances, including several 40 km plus days with hardly a blister. Lisbon to Porto is different. It is 80% asphalt. Road surface plays a huge role in Camino stress. Then there's the heat. There are very few facilities between checkpoints in many cases. Coimbra is a great starting point because the route becomes more forgiving. Towns south of there are lovely but very industrial in between. I ended up in hospital with heat and stress related foot injury by stage 5 (Tomar). Just letting you know. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you well and Buen Camino.
Thanks very much! I appreciate your kind words and advice!I just walked 775 km from San Jean. Only had one day of practice before. I am a 1948 model and was not fit at all. My advice focus on the journey not the destination. Enjoy it take rest days and if you run into trouble take a bus. But don't let your own plans hijack your experience! Santiago was a bit of anticlimax. But the journey was amazing. Don't forget to go to the small Chapel at the office in Santiago! It brings everything together! Frederick Holscher
Thanks for your kind words! We've done a 28k practice walk and you're totally right-it is the psychological strain that is most concerning. We weren't very sore (although doing it several days in a row is a different story) and no blisters but it got a bit taxing during the last third of our walk. Any advice on how to combat that side of things?Hello Carza, I think you will be fine on the work you are doing, I just completed the French way and we also worried about the 30k stretches but when it came down to it we took our time and plodded on. The feeling when you first achieve it is fantastic and a little aching ;0) The truth is there is not much distance between 25k and 30k - it's very psychological x enjoy x
Hi! Yeah I think breaks are key. definitely want to do some long lunches and stop for breaks/ a beer/wine or two .. I found that really helped. Thanks for your advice! This forum is really comforting.I plan generally for 25 km daily average. Sometimes I have had to go longer distances (not in the Frances, where there are lot of albergues). My personal record is 32. Made it, but did not love it.
My advice: try to break your day in two. Have a good meal pause at midday, and if possible, a 2o minutes "siesta" (I look for inconspicuous places in suburban squares, or church atria, never had a problem). It makes wonders, believe me.
About your lunchHi! Yeah I think breaks are key. definitely want to do some long lunches and stop for breaks/ a beer/wine or two .. I found that really helped. Thanks for your advice! This forum is really comforting.
About your lunch
Due to an ancient law introduced by former generalissimo Franco , in Spain and Portugal during week days most restaurants provide a three way menu for initially workers , a so called menu del dia or in Portugal a menu do dia or prata do dia.
it can be a starter like soup , a main course like meat or fish and a "postre " simetimes an orange ,an apple or whatever and a free drink like a glass of beer,wine, lemonade ,coffee, tea etc. so you can order this menu as well as a pilgrim (is different to a sometimes served pilgrim menu which what I noticed at times was more expensive ,anyway in Spain.
Costs.. In Portugal 6 to 8 € and in Spain up to about 10 €. Never more than that. Quality is excellent specially when the restaurant is packed with workers.
They serve the menu del dia from about 12h 30 till about 14h30.
During the weekends it is a different matter from about 14h to 16h00.
The restaurants are packed with families and their children. They do not provide a menu del dia but you have to order from the regular menu card which is more expensive.
Other thing... Everywhere when you will go out shopping especially in bigger towns you will notice a different way of living, others than our "regulated (Dutch) northern European Calvinistic" lifestyle.
We wanted to do some shopping around lunchtime-14h - at once all shops close -week- and saturdays so towncenters are deserted .
Bom caminho
Thank you for the recommendation Cassandra!Between Santarém and Tomar there are also accommodations in Azinhaga (casa de Azzancha) and Atalaia (casa do Patriarca).
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