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It used to take me 4 or so days to get into the "groove" of the CF - so Estella onwards I suppose. I've never been one of extensive training prior to a Camino, indeed it's been an effort over the past year to psych myself up to do any kind of walking - Virtual Caminos included - just because there was an element of 'sameness' in the walks.I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
Perhaps it is. There are those who claim the Meseta is boring, even some who've never walked it: there are those who state that that long stretch of car showrooms and furniture stores on the way into Burgos is boring. I've even heard it suggested that a constant diet of Insalada, Lomo & Flan is boring. Each to their ownor is it just another part the journey?
Poetically said and it speaks for me.From oceans of sunflowers and canola fields to undulating mountains, from estuaries to high ground, coastal surf…. From high modernism to the Roman Empire… it awakens me every 5 km. And the people, the people are always different, but comfortingly welcoming and so shockingly and gently generous…
My trail is nothing like this unless I take off in the car for other places...lucky you.my mind has more time to focus on the flora and fauna, the ripeness of the fruit or the tenderness of the current forageable greens
Oh yes, those must be the monotomous moments of which I speak.I've even heard it suggested that a constant diet of Insalada, Lomo & Flan is boring
Only if you allow yourself to become bored...But now I am wondering if I will just become bored with it at some stage?
I am not bored.... I am without much conscious mental activity for periods of time.
I am walking in preparation too and I get bored with my city walking. For me, it is the walking in a know area which I am sure will be very different from walking in an unknown country on a Camino. I am going to start going out to the mountains to walk to liven up my local walks.I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
Oh, when the sun beats down
And burns the tar up on the roof
And your shoes get so hot
You wish your tired feet were fireproof
Under the bored walk
Down by the sea
On a blanket with my baby
Is where I'll be
I wish it were that easy for me locally since it was what the OP implied on his local walks...bored. If it were that simple, maybe I would never have been "driven" to go on the Camino in the first place.Only if you allow yourself to become bored...
I don't think this song will work for me, but glad it does for you...we are all different.Here's a song for when the monotony of putting one foot in front of the other becomes overwhemling:
”himself” is a patient man as I will talk to anyone and everyone ..
I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
Here's a song for when the monotony of putting one foot in front of the other becomes overwhemling:
Oh, when the sun beats down
You must be too young!I don't think this song will work for me
Exactly so.I too was worried that I’d get bored with the walking. I shouldn’t have worried. The walking became like meditation.
Yes I can relate to feeling bored with same home city river walks. There are others to explore however they involve travelling longer distances.I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
Maybe it's getting past the constant consciousness and incesscent thinking that needs to happen.
I think you're onto something @simeon !Maybe I am only getting to the start of that stage and that is what I am identifying as boredom
And everyone. It's incredibly simple but not easy.wish it were that easy for me
What i did to break some of the journey prior to leaving home factor in some site visits if you want to feel the History around Napoleon, El Cid and other popular historical figures or you could experience handling a donkey or cycle part of the way once you factor in a couple of two doos then meeting the friendly spanish people on route who leave out fruit for a small donation and getting your passport stamped have a spa day and enjoy your walk Buen CaminoI done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
I did the CF from SJPDP in 2017, walking 28 days and resting 4 days. I didn't really get bored, but I also wasn't super sad when it ended (I really enjoyed it, but I was ready for some relaxing near the beach afterwards). I found for me the rest days were really welcome, and gave me a day to relax, sometimes heal, and often to treat myself to a nice non-pilgrim meal with extended conversions. I also met loads of great people on the camino, but never was sad taking a rest day and watching them go, since I knew it would basically mean I'd get to meet a new group for the next stages (and I've kept in touch with most people I met in various groups via Facebook and what-not). I even had one group of hardcore drinkers that was fun to walk with for a few days, but took a strategic rest day to let them pass so I could get away from the endless debauchery (I like a late beer-filled night as much as the next person, but couldn't do it day after day!)I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
Walking a Camino is very different from walking at home. Always something new and it is just so exciting!! You will not be bored.I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
I would say that every km is different, and with each new village, town and city you reach, they all have something different. The pilgrims you meet and sometimes walk with add to each and every day. Give it a go for the full 30/35 daysI done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
I too had great expectations for Efren's AT! So sad he got "bored" & quit, especially since he walked the Via Francigena for three months. But, his experience was informative none the less.Trust me…. Walking where I live, round and round in circles on the same “green belts” is stultifying and I now have to have something else going on (usually listening to lectures or audiobooks) in order to tolerate it, but I never feel that way on camino. For one thing the scenery keeps changing, and even the parts that repeat (industrial areas approaching and leaving the cities, for example) are only temporary. From oceans of sunflowers and canola fields to undulating mountains, from estuaries to high ground, coastal surf…. From high modernism to the Roman Empire… it awakens me every 5 km. And the people, the people are always different, but comfortingly welcoming and so shockingly and gently generous…
I spend long months between walks, even years, in which I feel “homesick” for the road.
But I do not find walking where I am fascinating.
I recently followed a camino vlogger as he tried his hand at 500 miles on the Appalachian Trail… and I don’t think I could have done 100 miles. When the greatest architecture you can find is a fire tower, and the most ”interesting” town is a simulacrum for some strange version of Bavaria…
Ugh.
In other words, our mileage and enjoyment varies depending on context.
I still walk about 7-10. Most days, but I’d never make 150 K per week going in circles here…
I watch Efren's videos, too, and wondered all along if he really would complete the AT. My son walked half of it several years ago and found it quite monotonous, but plugged on for 1000 miles anyway. He much preferred the JMT and Colorado Trail. I really like Efren's personality, but I was rather bored as the daily videos were nearly all the same.I too had great expectations for Efren's AT! So sad he got "bored" & quit, especially since he walked the Via Francigena for three months. But, his experience was informative none the less.
When his dog died (back at home), it seemed to take the wind out of his sails. The call to be at home with his family was stronger than his desire to be away from them for another 5 months.I too had great expectations for Efren's AT! So sad he got "bored" & quit, especially since he walked the Via Francigena for three months. But, his experience was informative none the less.
I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring.
The wonder of the Meseta for me is that feeling of letting go and the sound of gravel under my feet and the breath I take and finally there is a nothingness where all the $h1t in my brain drips out and peace replaces it.I walk, locally, 5 - 10 miles a day. My local trails are as familiar to me as the back-of-my-hand and my Beloved's smile. They're rarely boring. When my feet know where they are going my mind has more time to focus on the flora and fauna, the ripeness of the fruit or the tenderness of the current forageable greens. I don't really consider the walking as a walk. It's an opportunity to discover the new within the known, and to improvise a recipe out of what the world has granted me.
A long walk is a long walk. 30 - 40 days of continuous walking within an ever changing landscape; a different place to lay my head every night; a different cuisine and language every week. Little time to familiarise myself with anything - I approach, I see, I walk on.
Perhaps it is. There are those who claim the Meseta is boring, even some who've never walked it: there are those who state that that long stretch of car showrooms and furniture stores on the way into Burgos is boring. I've even heard it suggested that a constant diet of Insalada, Lomo & Flan is boring. Each to their own
I too was happily following Efren's journey and sad it didn't continue, but will wait for his next adventure.I too had great expectations for Efren's AT! So sad he got "bored" & quit, especially since he walked the Via Francigena for three months. But, his experience was informative none the less.
Home and the Camino - Black and white, two totally different, opposite sides of a coin.I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
Home walking v 30/40 day Camino - two totally different experiences. Like opposite sides of a coin but also related. Boredom is an emotion or a mood and is transient. I would say you will experience Boredom at some stage and that it would be surprising if you did not. You will experience highs and lows. That's life. That's the Camino. Best wishes for your decision.I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
In my younger years I spent a few years in the Army. I still remember some of the cadence songs we sang in basic training while marching. I found my self singing those songs again on the Camino at times. Wondering if Roman troops sang similar on those dull sections. One problem, I felt guilty, many of those tunes are not even close to being politically acceptable.I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
Rather like life?Bored? Never. Every day is different, a new challenge, renewed expectatives, the anticipation of a new place to rest, other people to meet.
Bad days? Yes, they arrive. The weather is awful, my knee is nagging me again, I lost the path and walked many miles along a highroad, I shared my diner with an annoying and talkative character, and so. I feel a bit demoralized and unhappy.
I know this things will happen, sooner or later; I take them as they come, try to keep some emotional distance, and hope for a better day, next morning.
And it is boring walking in your home territory if it is for training. On the Camino every corner you turn offers something new. That is the wonder and beauty of it. I very much doubt you will get bored walking. The movement of feet and legs is not the Camino. The people, culture and vistas are the Camino.I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
Exactly.And it is boring walking in your home territory if it is for training. On the Camino every corner you turn offers something new. That is the wonder and beauty of it. I very much doubt you will get bored walking. The movement of feet and legs is not the Camino. The people, culture and vistas are the Camino.
in your original post is key to trying to answer the question for you.
there is a nothingness where all the $h1t in my brain drips out and peace replaces it.
You will experience highs and lows. That's life. T
And the vino tinto!The people, culture and vistas are the Camino.
Just having a destination makes walking more interesting
Definitely..even if my daily steps are just enough to tickGotta keep fit for the next Camino -
I don’t know who your walking buddy was - but agree 100%. I managed a large chunk of Vdlp also in spring 2019. Intention was to complete the unfinished section of sanabrés to sdc in 2020......well , it will happen I know.Missed out on the VDLP 2019 with my walking partner and will never hear the end of how wonderful it was
Hope in our hearts.with hope in my heart for further visits to Spain.
I was lucky to squeeze in a tiny piece of my 2020 camino plan (about 10 days walking out of 6 weeks planned) before the ‘gong ‘ went off and I ‘hightailed’ it home to Oz ASAP. I feel fortunate to have had at least a short camino in 2020.last year .....but we all know that story.
Yes....itchy feet! We are thinking of an alternative - the Bibbulum Track here in West Australia 1000km in September/October......what to do?I’ve still got hope but itchy feet for walking
I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
That's exactly what I found on my first Camino (which FB informs me began 6 years ago today with a flight out of LAX). I was really worried about the boredom factor, but it never happened.I too was worried that I’d get bored with the walking. I shouldn’t have worried. The walking became like meditation.
Hi SimeonI done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
I train on "rails to trails" at home too...and it is totally monotonous. I do it because it is the best available, but yeah. Boring.I walk 4-6 weeks at a time on the Caminos, and am never bored, although I may have a few monotonous moments occasionally.
That said, unfortunately when I walk my local "rail to trail" located a few blocks from my home, I am often bored. I do it anyway for exercise and to be out in nature.
I totally relate to what @simeon is saying about his local walks...but the Camino stimulates all of my senses in new and interesting ways.
Boredom was something I did not even remotely experience on my Camino Francis I’m 2017. Joy, wonder, pain, exhaustion, happiness, panic (I got lost one day), satisfaction, mental and physical strength ….and more were experienced but never boredom.I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
It can be boring and tedious. If I do too many miles in a day, I get bored of the single, unrelenting activity. Maybe try less distance and fill the rest of the time with sightseeing, sketching, or reading. During the walks I'll often listen to audio books, podcasts, or compose a haiku. With novel scenery I do better so at home I have a city map and mark every street I've walked. I've walked every mile of city streets where I live and 90% of an adjacent town. When that is done I'll move on to another adjacent town. Good luck.I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
I took early retirement 10 years ago so have been able to take whatever time I have needed. I have not booked a return flight until arrival in Santiago thereby freeing myself from any time pressure.
All services have chants sung to maintain a cadence whether marching or running. A number of them are especially effective when moving up hill. As to the Roman Army there is limited information available though, a fine article by the Roman Military Research Society points out "two songs, namely 'Bacche' (which is a poem by Florus), and 'Urbane', the ribald song (or perhaps songs) quoted by Suetonius as having been sung during Julius Caesar's triumph. Of these, only 'Urbane' is known to have been sung by marching soldiers."In my younger years I spent a few years in the Army. I still remember some of the cadence songs we sang in basic training while marching. I found my self singing those songs again on the Camino at times. Wondering if Roman troops sang similar on those dull sections. One problem, I felt guilty, many of those tunes are not even close to being politically acceptable.
Thank you for my lesson of the day! Your words have put in perspective what I normally take for granted. May your legs soon take you wherever you desire by way of your own two feet.At this point, I dream of being bored while walking miles on legs that have been rebuilt and can take me anywhere I want to go without the pain I lived with for decades.
Thx for the well wishes, CC. The old legs took me places I never dreamed I would see and look forward to all the places my partially prosthetic ones will take me to.Thank you for my lesson of the day! Your words have put in perspective what I normally take for granted. May your legs soon take you wherever you desire by way of your own two feet.
Bravo!I made it around the block by myself, using crutches only to prevent a fall, 20 days after 2nd knee replacement (the first one was 5 months ago and feels great).
Another lesson for today!Treasure that, because it's not guaranteed.
Could not agree more Rebekah.The longer you walk, the more of the daily noise drops away and the more you are left alone with your deeper thoughts. For some people that's very healthy, refreshing and healing. For others it's horrifying torture! Some call this "boredom," and they grab for whatever distraction or "entertainment" they can get their hands on, thus annulling the therapeutic silence that makes the Way famous.
This "boredom" might strike on the Camino, just as it strikes at home. When you feel "bored," recognize it as just a feeling. Keep walking. It will pass. The good stuff comes soon after, or so I have found... it is not always easy, but it's incredibly worthwhile.
And once you've learned to move past it, you never have to be bored again.
I walk, locally, 5 - 10 miles a day. My local trails are as familiar to me as the back-of-my-hand and my Beloved's smile. They're rarely boring. When my feet know where they are going my mind has more time to focus on the flora and fauna, the ripeness of the fruit or the tenderness of the current forageable greens. I don't really consider the walking as a walk. It's an opportunity to discover the new within the known, and to improvise a recipe out of what the world has granted me.
A long walk is a long walk. 30 - 40 days of continuous walking within an ever changing landscape; a different place to lay my head every night; a different cuisine and language every week. Little time to familiarise myself with anything - I approach, I see, I walk on.
Perhaps it is. There are those who claim the Meseta is boring, even some who've never walked it: there are those who state that that long stretch of car showrooms and furniture stores on the way into Burgos is boring. I've even heard it suggested that a constant diet of Insalada, Lomo & Flan is boring. Each to their own
My walking partner had total bilateral knees replacements and walked the Norte/Finesterre then the VDLP.am motivated during recovery/rehab by planning to walk the Norte/Primitivo during summer of 2022.
I didn't take early retirement but I am now retired; I will walk this way and am excited to do so. It is great advice sooner .... or later.Oh how wonderful that must be. If only......
i promise you, you will never be bored! There is always something beautiful and interesting to see! Also, you have your thoughts. They can never be boring! Enjoy!I done the CF and CP both in weekly stages and absolutely loved them and always wanted to continue on rather than come home. From other posts I read on the forum it seems that a lot of people only seem to be getting into their stride on day seven when their bodies have adjusted or given up complaining.This is usually when I would normally be heading home. During the last while I have been doing plenty of walking locally 10 to 20k most days. I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
I'd say the opposite.If walking the Camino or any other long distance walk or hike bores you, you should probably just not do it.
I agree! Learning not to be bored is a gift.I'd say the opposite.
Risk boredom, and walk into it!
We've gotten so hooked on hyperstimulation that we can't stand simplicity and quiet. So we tune out and get bored and restless.
The Camino is a superb chance to cut that addiction, and find the joy and peace that comes from a pace of being that's in tune with nature - body, mind and spirit in sync.
Absolutely.You Know what I mean?
Yes, and I bet you're not alone, Faye.But i promise you, I am not fascinated by the idea of making my way to the ugliest part of the small city I live in and going from there to the airport. Yet it would be almost identical to the approach to Burgos.
Something about camino prevents it from dragging on my last nerve the way that the domestic can.
I walked the long, industrial way into Burgos,,, I would not change it, and ,.. do not plan to change it if I go SJPdP to Fromista in 2022
Yes, very true. The pandemic has presented that challenge with little opportunity to escape.The camino shows me that possibility, and the rest is up to me.
I'm not and never have been hooked on anything hyper, and walk the Camino and do hikes because I simply enjoy it. I've been doing hikes since childhood. If I didn't I wouldn't do it. I'd do something else that I find enjoyable. Not boring.I'd say the opposite.
Risk boredom, and walk into it!
We've gotten so hooked on hyperstimulation that we can't stand simplicity and quiet. So we tune out and get bored and restless.
The Camino is a superb chance to cut that addiction, and find the joy and peace that comes from a pace of being that's in tune with nature - body, mind and spirit in sync.
This is exactly how I feel about walking in general, and totally relates to the visual stimulation the Caminos provide me with their long distances. Your one short sentence says it perfectly.I am able to think and explore in a way that no other means of transport allows.
So many forum members share their stories of overcoming health issues or other adversities in their lives. It often seems that walking Caminos has been a measure of success and victory for them (and you) in their "road" to recovery...all are uplifting to read.I've come back to this thread several times to read/think about the original post and the reply comments.
A few observations:
- It's okay to be bored. I'm a carpenter and love to create things with my mind and hands working in concert. However, it doesn't mean that some tedious tasks aren't a bit boring. It's just part of the creation process.
- Even before my knee troubles (that have now been repaired), I lived 8 yrs of my life with a brain and body that rarely connected; I was only in my mid-thirties when I became ill. Walking was laborious, and reaching the top of a flight of stairs without help was a victory. I longed to have my normal quick gait again.
- Through great effort and the care of a wonderful spouse and medical caregivers, I was able to make it to "the other side" of illness; my brain found new pathways to allow me to appear to walk normally. So much so that I don't even think about the detours my brain formed to allow me to move at a 5-6 km/hr pace on most long-distance walks/hikes.
- Again, I believe it's okay to be bored while walking. I can only recommend that in those moments of boredom, that you stop briefly and be thankful for the simple yet wondrous gift of being able to walk about this beautiful planet.
Buen Camino
Very true.I am able to think and explore in a way that no other means of transport allows.
I can't fully agree for myself although I do pay attention on my local "rail to trail". I look for new plants to enjoy as the seasons change, and birds singing, wind, sun, drizzle, cloud formations, etc, but walking is not walking all the same for me...we are all different; one person's perspective not better than another's. I love the Camino, but only "like" local my trail..but walking is walking. And if I'm bored I'm simply not paying enough attention.
If you can't walk to Santiago it sure is a great replacement to walk to New Orleans. I don't know if you have ever been there Tinker but let me tell you it is one of the great American cities. I would put it right behind New York. (I am a native New Yorker so it is high praise). New Orleans is an National Treasure.I just remember Fats Waller nearly singing “Walking to Santiago” (it scans perfectly). Gets a bit monotonous after the first 300 miles but it’ll get you there without needing to use some of the “salty” songs in the repertoire
This time I'm walkin' toNew OrleansSantiago
I'm walkin' toNew OrleansSantiago
I'm going to need two pair of shoes
When I get through walkin' me blues
When I get back to New Orleans
I've got my suitcase in my hand
Now, ain't that a shame
I'm leavin' here today
Yes, I'm goin' back home to stay
Yes, I'm walkin' to New Orleans
You used to be my honey
Till you spent all my money
No use for you to cry
I'll see you bye and bye
'Cause I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I've got no time for talkin'
I've got to keep on walkin'
New Orleans is my home
That's the reason while I'm gone
Yes, I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
Well, it does for me anyway
Fats Domino not Waller sung that classic, BTW.I just remember Fats Waller nearly singing “Walking to Santiago” (it scans perfectly). Gets a bit monotonous after the first 300 miles but it’ll get you there without needing to use some of the “salty” songs in the repertoire
This time I'm walkin' toNew OrleansSantiago
I'm walkin' toNew OrleansSantiago
I'm going to need two pair of shoes
When I get through walkin' me blues
When I get back to New Orleans
I've got my suitcase in my hand
Now, ain't that a shame
I'm leavin' here today
Yes, I'm goin' back home to stay
Yes, I'm walkin' to New Orleans
You used to be my honey
Till you spent all my money
No use for you to cry
I'll see you bye and bye
'Cause I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I've got no time for talkin'
I've got to keep on walkin'
New Orleans is my home
That's the reason while I'm gone
Yes, I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
Well, it does for me anyway
Hangs head in shameFats Domino not Waller sung that classic, BTW.
I think that depends a bit on your own personal reasons for going on Pilgrimage, and what you personally expect to get out if it. Whether, in fact, you want to go on pilgrimage or simply a walking holiday?I am now finding that the walking is starting to become a bit boring. I had been hoping to do a full 30 day Camino later in the year but now am wondering will I just become bored with it at some stage? Just wondering do people have this experience or is it just another part the journey?
Jeff...I think you nailed this one on the head! The training walks my wife and I complete are, indeed, getting extremely boring, but we take solace in the fact that a point to point walk WILL BE far more varied and interesting than completing the never ending home training circuits. I agree...bored? Nah!!It used to take me 4 or so days to get into the "groove" of the CF - so Estella onwards I suppose. I've never been one of extensive training prior to a Camino, indeed it's been an effort over the past year to psych myself up to do any kind of walking - Virtual Caminos included - just because there was an element of 'sameness' in the walks.
The main thing, for me at least, is that on the Real Thing you have people to mix with, places to go, restaurants to revisit and memories to relive.
Bored? Nah!
Yes...we're very much the same way.I get bored sometimes walking here at home but certainly not on any Camino.
Just having a destination makes walking more interesting. I have several loops that I do at home for exercise
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