Back on the Camino

[Rich1]

Hi.
I have experienced the Camino in 2 different ways

I am an ultra marathon runner and ran the Camino Frances in just over 12 days in May 2015 in celebration of my 50th birthday. I did note a little negativity on the forum prior to leaving. Apparently, I wasn't doing it "right", I wasn't "experiencing" the Camino. Well... I had a wonderful experience; deeply spiritual in so many ways. I was met with nothing but positivity and encouragement by everyone I met on the Camino. Whilst I didn't experience the "Camino family", I did meet people from 53 countries....I kept a list! I stopped and talked to so many people, to whoever wanted a chat. I visited the cathedrals, numerous churches and museums. I was out 10-12 hours /day. Interestingly, many people said they were inspired by me, but want inspired me was the walkers...day after day for 5 and more weeks', that is motivational. I am still in contact with several.
If you're interested my blog is here .

Last year, my wife and I started our Camino. We are walking the Frances in 2 week blocks over 3 years. We walked from SJPDP to Burgos. We had a wonderful time. A very different experience for me, neither better nor worse. A little less spiritual and possibly less time for personal reflection, but wonderful nonetheless. We very much experienced a "family", meeting the same group of people repeatedly which was lovely. We are still in contact with several.We fly back next week for part 2 - Burgos to Astorga or Ponferrada - and can't wait. Next year we will arrive in Santiago on my wife's 50th birthday.

Two very different but very wonderful experiences.

However you experience your camino, always remember that it is your Camino...whatever you do has to be right for you. I truly believe there is no right way to do the Camino. I would love to run some of the other caminos and I can't wait to walk again with my wife.

Buen Camino, Richard

 

[NualaOC]

Thanks Richard for sharing your experience and your blog. I always enjoy reading about other ways of 'putting one foot in front of the other' to reach Santiago. Wishing you and your wife well with the next stages of your Camino.

 

[wayfarer]

However you experience your camino, always remember that it is your Camino...

Good on you Richard, that is a tough pace (from my perspective) and I agree with the statement above, you must walk (or run) your own Camino, not the one others would have you do.

 

[bmcbride]

Hi.
I have experienced the Camino in 2 different ways

I am an ultra marathon runner and ran the Camino Frances in just over 12 days in May 2015 in celebration of my 50th birthday. I did note a little negativity on the forum prior to leaving. Apparently, I wasn't doing it "right", I wasn't "experiencing" the Camino. Well... I had a wonderful experience; deeply spiritual in so many ways. I was met with nothing but positivity and encouragement by everyone I met on the Camino. Whilst I didn't experience the "Camino family", I did meet people from 53 countries....I kept a list! I stopped and talked to so many people, to whoever wanted a chat. I visited the cathedrals, numerous churches and museums. I was out 10-12 hours /day. Interestingly, many people said they were inspired by me, but want inspired me was the walkers...day after day for 5 and more weeks', that is motivational. I am still in contact with several.
If you're interested my blog is here .

Last year, my wife and I started our Camino. We are walking the Frances in 2 week blocks over 3 years. We walked from SJPDP to Burgos. We had a wonderful time. A very different experience for me, neither better nor worse. A little less spiritual and possibly less time for personal reflection, but wonderful nonetheless. We very much experienced a "family", meeting the same group of people repeatedly which was lovely. We are still in contact with several.We fly back next week for part 2 - Burgos to Astorga or Ponferrada - and can't wait. Next year we will arrive in Santiago on my wife's 50th birthday.

Two very different but very wonderful experiences.

However you experience your camino, always remember that it is your Camino...whatever you do has to be right for you. I truly believe there is no right way to do the Camino. I would love to run some of the other caminos and I can't wait to walk again with my wife.

Buen Camino, Richard

All I can say is "Wow!". I am not a runner; never will be as my joints just would not allow for it, but I admire those who can. I did my first Camino "my way", which may not have been the way that many others were experiencing theirs. I did a lot of walking on my own, because of my pace, and it allowed me for a lot of time for contemplation. I agree with you - there is no "right way" to do a Camino, only what is right for you as an individual at that time in your life. I start my next Camino in about a month. I know that it will not be the same as the first one. I will still not be doing my Camino exactly the same as others, but I will choose what I think is right for me. I can only hope that my second experience will be as wonderful as the first. Enjoy your time, and Buen Camino!