Mark Barnes
Old Engineer
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances - September - November (2017)
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I am a large man (6'2" and 320 pounds) and hope to walk the Camino Frances September - October 2017. I have read many books on the Camino and read this site often but have not seen mention of potential concerns that larger people may run into. I would like any advice that I can gain from any of you. The thought of getting put on a top bunk is not one that I would look forward to. I have not seen any youtube videos that show any big old boys walking the Camino. So I turn to you that have been there for your thoughts and experience.
I retired two years ago and go the gym six days a week and walk 3 miles a day on the tread mill. I also walk 4 miles on trails two days a week.
Thanks in advance for your input and knowledge.
Always ask as you get to the albergue and you'be given a bottom bed. I suffer from asthma and always request a top bed so that I can leave the window open. The length of the bed might be a problem as my husband finds the beds too short and he is 6'3".I am a large man (6'2" and 320 pounds) and hope to walk the Camino Frances September - October 2017. I have read many books on the Camino and read this site often but have not seen mention of potential concerns that larger people may run into. I would like any advice that I can gain from any of you. The thought of getting put on a top bunk is not one that I would look forward to. I have not seen any youtube videos that show any big old boys walking the Camino. So I turn to you that have been there for your thoughts and experience.
I retired two years ago and go the gym six days a week and walk 3 miles a day on the tread mill. I also walk 4 miles on trails two days a week.
Thanks in advance for your input and knowledge.
I am a large man (6'2" and 320 pounds) and hope to walk the Camino Frances September - October 2017. I have read many books on the Camino and read this site often but have not seen mention of potential concerns that larger people may run into. I would like any advice that I can gain from any of you. The thought of getting put on a top bunk is not one that I would look forward to. I have not seen any youtube videos that show any big old boys walking the Camino. So I turn to you that have been there for your thoughts and experience.
I retired two years ago and go the gym six days a week and walk 3 miles a day on the tread mill. I also walk 4 miles on trails two days a week.
Thanks in advance for your input and knowledge.
If you have trouble finding clotjes that fit in Texas you can forget finding anything in Spain, so plan well, come prepared. Don't believe any of the posts that try to convince you you can find what you need there.I wear a 3x or 4x size (56" chest) shirt/jacket and in USA it is not easy to find exactly what you want in clothes for hiking but you can get items that work.
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Mark, walking on a treadmill will not translate to what you are about to take on from a time perspective. For instance I was training at 10-15 miles 3-4 days a week at roughly 17-18 minute miles and getting under 20 minute miles was very tough consistently unless you are on flat ground and I don't think flat ground will be your issue... This will be build your cardio and stability for the first 8-10 days and then the last part of the Francis; the first part of the Francis is a lot more rigorous then the topo maps reflect. .
I am definitely in the big and tall club. More so when I started walking the Camino in St. Jean Pied de Port.I am a large man (6'2" and 320 pounds) and hope to walk the Camino Frances September - October 2017. I have read many books on the Camino and read this site often but have not seen mention of potential concerns that larger people may run into. I would like any advice that I can gain from any of you. The thought of getting put on a top bunk is not one that I would look forward to. I have not seen any youtube videos that show any big old boys walking the Camino. So I turn to you that have been there for your thoughts and experience.
I retired two years ago and go the gym six days a week and walk 3 miles a day on the tread mill. I also walk 4 miles on trails two days a week.
Thanks in advance for your input and knowledge.
I don't know how your ankles are, but if you do not need boots try New Balance sneakers or walking shoes. They come in larger sizes especially widths. They usually have good support out of the box and don't require breaking in.I wear a 3x or 4x size (56" chest) shirt/jacket and in USA it is not easy to find exactly what you want in clothes for hiking but you can get items that work. I love REI but the ones in Texas do not carry big sizes so most of my pants, shorts, jackets, etc. are Columbia brand. I wear Darn Tough socks and Cabela's Grand Mesa hiking boots 12 EE wide. Hiking boots are limited selection for wide feet as well.
Oh well we can't all be slim pretty model types.....
Thanks to all for the great input.
Decathlon's men's 4x looks like it fits a 52' chest, and that may be as large as they go.
I wore Keen Targhee II hiking boots for my Camino. I wear 13EEE normally. They sell this boot in a wide width. I got the 13 wide. It fit beautifully. The toe box is nice and roomy, which is critical to avoid blisters. I did quite well in that area, only getting a couple little ones early on. I too am a big guy (6'-2", 230). I believe big guys need tough footwear.I wear a 3x or 4x size (56" chest) shirt/jacket and in USA it is not easy to find exactly what you want in clothes for hiking but you can get items that work. I love REI but the ones in Texas do not carry big sizes so most of my pants, shorts, jackets, etc. are Columbia brand. I wear Darn Tough socks and Cabela's Grand Mesa hiking boots 12 EE wide. Hiking boots are limited selection for wide feet as well.
Oh well we can't all be slim pretty model types.....
Thanks to all for the great input.
I don't know how your ankles are, but if you do not need boots try New Balance sneakers or walking shoes. They come in larger sizes especially widths. They usually have good support out of the box and don't require breaking in.
I am within a 1/2 inch of your height and about fifty pounds of your weight. At 65, I walked the CdS last April/May and had no problems with getting into the top bunk, on the rare occasions of necessity. As you, I exercised before leaving. Of course, at the end of any day, any soft spot, regardless of elevation, will be most appreciated!I am a large man (6'2" and 320 pounds) and hope to walk the Camino Frances September - October 2017. I have read many books on the Camino and read this site often but have not seen mention of potential concerns that larger people may run into. I would like any advice that I can gain from any of you. The thought of getting put on a top bunk is not one that I would look forward to. I have not seen any youtube videos that show any big old boys walking the Camino. So I turn to you that have been there for your thoughts and experience.
I retired two years ago and go the gym six days a week and walk 3 miles a day on the tread mill. I also walk 4 miles on trails two days a week.
Thanks in advance for your input and knowledge.
Quick diagnosis is flat feet. Run to a podiatrist and have custom orthotics made. I say run because it takes a while for them to be made. You may also be advised to alternate between the custom rigid orthotics and a pair of softer, more flexible ones. That's what my podiatrist has me do and it is heaven.When I walk the 4 miles on trails what hurts is the ball of my feet.
That's a "big" part of why I walk every year: to take off what I've put on. And 45 pounds is not unusual, unless you drink red wine as if it was water and order all things fried. On my first Camino I met a slim man, not thin thin but slim, who had lost 40 pounds the previous year, so imaging when you have more than that to lose. A sewing kit to move the botton on your pants and a few safety pins go a long way to keep pants up as you lose weight.Wow 45 pounds of weight loss.... that is crazy (good). I had heard people say that they lost weight but never heard anyone state an amount. That is another reason to do this.
If you don't mind heaafty shipping charges, take a look at these, made in Canada, and what I've worn on every Camino since 2008. They come in different colours, dry fast, are super light and have cargo pockets as well as regular pockets.I am so over trying to find female hiking pants, everything is for the "normal size " females and everything else does not ship to Australia
Another reason for people to give you a bottom bed. Hospitaleros and fellow dormmates will no doubt adapt to accomodate you and let you have a bed by an outlet, rather than be kept up at night by your snoring and gasping.Another issue I have is that I use a CPAP. I am looking at smaller units now and trying to work through how much of an issue that is going to be.
lucky you ---I am 6'4" and never had a problem with the length of any of the beds or bunks.
Thank you, off to have a lookIf you don't mind heaafty shipping charges, take a look at these, made in Canada, and what I've worn on every Camino since 2008. They come in different colours, dry fast, are super light and have cargo pockets as well as regular pockets.
https://www.sportiveplus.com/fr/vetements/bas/pantalons/cherokee-10-stone.html
Upon realizing I was cradling the head of the sleeping Italian in the adjacent bunk between my feet, I quickly abandoned that strategy.
I think it was a combination of eating less, eating healthier, and exercising far more than normal. In addition I would recommend poles. However, the use of poles (single or dual) or a stick is a personal choice.
I am so over trying to find female hiking pants, everything is for the "normal size " females and everything else does not ship to Australia
skipronin and others have some very relevant comments. So I join into this discussion as well. At 6'10" and 130kg, I had major problems with the Lilliputian beds on the Camino. I think they often purchased Children's bunks from Ikea. Top or bottom it didn't matter, my legs hung over into my Neighbour's space, so I ended sleeping in the Foetal position. But after a hard days walk, 3 courses of pilgrims comfort food and a bottle of vino I slept like a baby. But I gave up with albergues in the end and only slept in hostels or other private accommodation where I could get a queen size bed ( did I mention I snore). In regards to packs I used a 50 liter pack due to the length down my back, but it looked like an a empty pack as I could not fill it. In regards to hiking clothes I ordered them on line from REI Online. anything made in Asia is way to small regardless of the claims they make about its size. I agree Cand A have some larger sizes, but nothings useful for hiking. Yep, use hiking poles, worth their weight in gold. Socks, change them 2-3 times a day. Sweaty socks = wet feet = blisters. Other than the basics, underwear and socks, forgot about buying clothes on the Camino nothing fits if you are larger than M or L. In regards to pre Camino training in do 10+km on the crosstrainer in the gym Monday to Friday, and 20-30km hikes with a full pack each day on the weekend in the 2 months leading up to the Camino. Other than that nothing during the rest of the year. Check russandjan dot com for our blog history.I am definitely in the big and tall club. More so when I started walking the Camino in St. Jean Pied de Port.
Go at your own pace, and practice walking up steep inclines if you have any near you. There were none where I live.
Reserve a room at Orisson if you plan to take the high route. The day before I was at Orisson, a pilgrim died of a heart attack just after Orisson from I believe pushing too hard. Make sure you have cash, as they do not take credit cards.
Sleep on the bottom bunks. I actually got tired of the bottom bunks because I kept hitting my head. At one hostel I switched to the top, even though the lady running the hostel put me in the bottom. As soon as I put my knee down and put weight on it, I broke the bed. And scared the crap out of the peregrino who was lying on the bunk under me. They had to call a repairman to come fix it. It appeared to me that those bunk beds were for children. After that incident, I started to check the construction of the beds before I paid my money. If they tried to put me in a top bunk, and the construction was not solid, I would not stay at that albergue.
Bring or be prepared to buy a smaller pair of pants. I lost 45 pounds walking to Santiago de Compostela. You mileage may vary.
Try not to carry 10% of your weight including water, although it may be extremely hard to achieve. While everyone states 10%, carrying 30 lbs is not what they had in mind.
I hope this helps you. Good luck.
At 6'10"
I am a large man (6'2" and 320 pounds) and hope to walk the Camino Frances September - October 2017. I have read many books on the Camino and read this site often but have not seen mention of potential concerns that larger people may run into. I would like any advice that I can gain from any of you. The thought of getting put on a top bunk is not one that I would look forward to. I have not seen any youtube videos that show any big old boys walking the Camino. So I turn to you that have been there for your thoughts and experience.
I retired two years ago and go the gym six days a week and walk 3 miles a day on the tread mill. I also walk 4 miles on trails two days a week.
Thanks in advance for your input and knowledge.
Beware of chairs. Many plastic chairs sit in the sun, and have deteriorated without visible flaws. One snapped under me at 200 pounds, and I have seen another shatter under another person!![/QUOTE
At my size I hate plastic chairs and never sit in them for the very reason you stated. Thanks for the reminder.
I do not do hills well. I go up then 10 steps at a time and take a break, look back and wonder at my progress. Or I'll tell myself that I will walk to "that tree" and do the same. When you see windmills in the horizon, ne certain that that is exactly where the Camino will take you. Daunting. When you get to said windmills, look back and rejoice, patring yourself on the backpack.I can walk all day but also struggle with hills. Thanks for you wisdom of taking my time and not rush.
That will be me, I told hubby I will crawl if I have toI do not do hills well. I go up then 10 steps at a time and take a break, look back and wonder at my progress. Or I'll tell myself that I will walk to "that tree" and do the same. When you see windmills in the horizon, ne certain that that is exactly where the Camino will take you. Daunting. When you get to said windmills, look back and rejoice, patring yourself on the backpack.
I am a large man (6'2" and 320 pounds) and hope to walk the Camino Frances September - October 2017. I have read many books on the Camino and read this site often but have not seen mention of potential concerns that larger people may run into. I would like any advice that I can gain from any of you. The thought of getting put on a top bunk is not one that I would look forward to. I have not seen any youtube videos that show any big old boys walking the Camino. So I turn to you that have been there for your thoughts and experience.
I retired two years ago and go the gym six days a week and walk 3 miles a day on the tread mill. I also walk 4 miles on trails two days a week.
Thanks in advance for your input and knowledge.
Is 20% inclines on the treadmill ok ?? We are a wee bit lacking in hills. (Ps Treadmill is at home not the gym.Hi Mark, I'm 66 and will be 67 going back for my 2nd Camino along with my wife around the end of August this time. I was 6'1'' 245lbs when I started the Camino Frances(Sept.2016) and finished it at 220lb. What we found out is that a treadmill will not suffice and unless you are doing steep inclines while on the trails .. that too will be inadequate. We trained on a commercial treadmill we had at home walking hours on it at 6% to 12% inclines. What we did find out is to USE THE STARIMASTER OR STAIRSTEPPER at the gym ...lol. Also, when you feel fit enough, pack your backpack gradually adding weight over time and wear it trekking /working out on the treadmill and stairmaster. The first day out of SJPP on the Frances is a grind if you haven't pushed yourself at home first. BTW .. there other gents larger than I and older, but they paced themselves and made it through. We are currently under going physicals and testing with our cardiologist to make sure what we start .. we finish which we almost didn't do last time. While not impossible, it is not easy for the first week then you will gradually whip yourself into Camino shape if you haven't already !
Buen Camino ... Bill
I am doing the stairmaster and then I go to the treadmill on a 15% incline my wife is doing the stairmaster and treadmill but that will increase with more aggressive training once the cardiologist gives us the ok as we have moved up our Camino Frances date to August. BTW ... we live in Florida where there is nothing resembling a bump let alone a hill ...lol We are also doing weight training for legs and core. So if all you have access to is a treadmill then use it, it can only help and since you say 20% incline, I would think that would do the trick for conditioning. By our third week on the Frances, the Frances whipped us into shape...lol. We don't want to go through that again.Is 20% inclines on the treadmill ok ?? We are a we bit lacking in hills. (Ps Treadmill is at home not the gym.
Mark if you need a larger belt, I had an extension made at a seamstress with the quick release clasps on each side of it so it connected to the belt on the bag. Not the bag I am wearing in the photo, that was an Kelty 65L external frame pack. This time around I downsized and I am going with a 48L Kestrel by Osprey. I found that with the bigger back I carried more which made it harder on the mountains, especially after my wife broke a bone in her foot early on. My pack grew to about 18 kg. This time I have it at 7 kg.The pack I use is a Teton 4000 and the main reason I choose that is due to the adjustable torso (long length) and the waist belt adjust out to 54" (I only need 50" but that is still hard to find). It is 60L in size. I use a 3L bladder with mine but also plan to take a water bottle as well.
I have changed my sleeping bag to a Big Agnes Buffalo Park Sleeping Bag. WEIGHT: Bag Weight 2lb 15oz, Fill Weight 21oz. DIMENSIONS: Heights up to 6'6'', Shoulder Girth 80.5'', Hip Girth 75'', Foot Girth 66'', Stuff Sack Size 8''x17.5'', Compressed Bag Size 8''x10''. This bag is the biggest that I have found that is a weight that is less than 3 pounds.
Some might see a typo in this quote, but my view is that it goes to one of the more understated benefits of walking a pilgrimage - the opportunity to spend time with one's own thoughts.Walking the Camino was one of the best thinks I have ever done.
Oops, it would have been great if I had meant to type “thinks” but yes it was a typo and was meant to read “things”.Some might see a typo in this quote, but my view is that it goes to one of the more understated benefits of walking a pilgrimage - the opportunity to spend time with one's own thoughts.
Well done Mark.
Thanks for the update Mark. Did you have those calf's when you started? Hey, I don't think anyone would mind if you added more later.I could type for hours about what I did wrong and what I got right, etc but will cut it short.
Big calf’s is what you get when your a 300 pounder......Thanks for the update Mark. Did you have those calf's when you started? Hey, I don't think anyone would mind if you added more later.
What you did that was right is that you persevered and didn't quit on yourself. Cudo to you. !!! Buen CaminoUpdate: I walked the Camino Frances from Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela starting September 20 and ending November 02,2017. This was the hardest thing, physically, I have ever done. I found, after two years of research and planning, that I got many things wrong. This hurts to admit since I am a retired engineer. I had written that I had gone to the gym everyday for two years and lifted a lot of weights and walked on treadmill for 3 Miles a day. I can tell you I learned the hard way on day one that walking on a tread mill is nothing like walking the Camino. Most people would tell me they had a much harder time with the down hill walking but for me the up hill was always much harder from beginning to end because of my lack of fitness.
Some of the many things I got wrong;
- 70 liter pack was way to big. I tried to carry all my “stuff” (40 pounds in pack) for the first few days and it darn near killed me. Thank god I found out about bag transport. I transported my bag for a couple of weeks until I got in better shape and got rid of many items I did not need. One issue I could not loose was my 6 pound CPAP machine. If I do this again I would use a 40 liter pack and get a travel CPAP.
- my trainng was all wrong. I should have been walking outside on trails and much less tread mill. I should have walked longer than 3 Miles a day and on hills.
- I should have walked for Miles in my rain gear. I bought lite weight breathable rain gear and found out in Spain that when wearing it I would sweat so much that I may as well just get wet from the rain. I ended up not wearing my rain pants due to the sweating. Next time I would just take a lite poncho.
- as I had stated in earlier threads I am 6’2” and weighed 320 pounds. I stayed in Albergues 90 percent of the time and then hotels in bigger city’s on rest days. I never had an issue on the bunks, I always got bottom, being to short or small. I found the bunks to be just fine for me.
I thought I could walk the guide book stages but found the first few weeks I was walking 8 to 15k due to fitness. Later I would walk 15 to 22k a day. I would walk fewer k’s many more hours than others due to my slow walking. I would meet people and walk with them a few minutes but then they would move on due to my slow pace. I would meet new people each night at the Albergue since ones I had met the night before would be a village or two beyond me the next night.
I wanted to quit everyday the first week out but my family back home kept telling me to keep going and I would be mad at myself if I quit. I kept going and it got easier after about 10 days. I will not lie to you it is hard but so very much worth it.
I could type for hours about what I did wrong and what I got right, etc but will cut it short.
Walking the Camino was one of the best thinks (things)I have ever done.
Best of luck to all of you larger folks looking to walk the Camino.
For me it would be the Frances again. I loved it (more so in hind site than when I was doing it). Since I use a CPAP I would want the better infer structure. Have a blast out there.Great thread for those of us carrying more than just the rucksack over each hill and mountain!
I've just been starting my training, and did my first ten mile morning in the mountains this past weekend, having done most of my miles so far on a flat cycle path running alongside a river. It does take a big hit on the pace once you go off road and the terrain has a few more undulations.
I also agree with your views on rain gear - I learned never to bother with waterproof trousers (unless I wanted to be unsure whether my bladder had taken an unusual release), and the rain jacket is only a last resort if things get really heavy. My problem is my back sweating, and on my first camino, with a rucksack that was flat against the back, I had to plastic pack everything in the rucksack to prevent it getting drowned in back sweat! With a bit more of a frame to hold the back off the back, this is now better, but as I'd always have a bivvy bag anyway, I put all the rucksack contents in that.
Thank you for your thoughts and experience Mark....I suppose my question is - Which camino next?
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