Hi all!
I am five days into my first Camino.
I did not train (but am in my 30s and in decent shape — can easily walk or hike 15 km and run 8 km).
However, my feet — especially my right one — are very sore after a day of doing 20-30 km on the Camino. It’s generalized pain — outside, arch, heel — no tender spots, bruising, etc. The pain goes away relatively soon after I’m off my feet and they are pretty much good to go by the next morning (but the pain is back after 10-15 km). I am in new-ish boots (not brand new), but it’s my third pair of the same style/brand and they fit well/no blisters. I bought Soles insoles on the route and haven’t noticed a big difference. A pharmacy gave me Voltaren but again, no real difference. No other pain in legs, shins, knees, etc. though my calves are tight and I’m stretching them. I am going to take a rest day tomorrow.
But my question is whether foot pain is just a normal part of the Camino as my feet adjust? (People have told me they started out with pain but they adjusted and were able to walk longer pain free in weeks 3, 4, 5 than at the start.) If so, I will tough through. The pain itself is not unbearable, though I’m moving slower and taking more breaks than I otherwise would. But I don’t want to push and get seriously injured. I know only I can answer the ultimate question, but I’m interested in guidance in terms of how much throbbing feet are normal and how you tell the difference between “normal Camino pain” and pain that could be the sign of an injury.
thank you for any advice!
I am five days into my first Camino.
I did not train (but am in my 30s and in decent shape — can easily walk or hike 15 km and run 8 km).
However, my feet — especially my right one — are very sore after a day of doing 20-30 km on the Camino. It’s generalized pain — outside, arch, heel — no tender spots, bruising, etc. The pain goes away relatively soon after I’m off my feet and they are pretty much good to go by the next morning (but the pain is back after 10-15 km). I am in new-ish boots (not brand new), but it’s my third pair of the same style/brand and they fit well/no blisters. I bought Soles insoles on the route and haven’t noticed a big difference. A pharmacy gave me Voltaren but again, no real difference. No other pain in legs, shins, knees, etc. though my calves are tight and I’m stretching them. I am going to take a rest day tomorrow.
But my question is whether foot pain is just a normal part of the Camino as my feet adjust? (People have told me they started out with pain but they adjusted and were able to walk longer pain free in weeks 3, 4, 5 than at the start.) If so, I will tough through. The pain itself is not unbearable, though I’m moving slower and taking more breaks than I otherwise would. But I don’t want to push and get seriously injured. I know only I can answer the ultimate question, but I’m interested in guidance in terms of how much throbbing feet are normal and how you tell the difference between “normal Camino pain” and pain that could be the sign of an injury.
thank you for any advice!