Alan Alexander
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino del Norte (2016)
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Hi Alan, hope that you can go on.Hi all,
I started the CdN yesterday from Irún and have been looking forward to 6/7 weeks of amazing hiking. But after about 6 hours my knees totally gave up. Coming downhill was absolute torture!! I am now questioning whether I can go on another day let alone all the way to Santiago
This morning, surprisingly, my knees seem to have recovered - though this may well be in part due to the Diclofenac I took last night before bed. I am going to take a day to rest here in San Sebastián and invest in some hiking poles. Pole recommendations and any other tips would be most welcome!
Great advice, thank you for taking the time, Waka!Regarding walking poles I use Lekki and my wife Altus, they are very good makes and did us proud. I have to say without them I know I wouldn't have been able to complete the CF. There are a lot of good makes out there, you just need the right one for you.
Last year on the CF after 4 weeks I experienced a knee joint problem (and I was using poles), it wasn't something I damaged on the camino, more of something from a past life catching up on me. Anyway I went to one of the many Farmacia along the route and got measure for a knee brace (the elasticated type with the boning down the sides). I'm not saying that this is what you need, but after I got mine I was going down hill like as Gazelle.
Well worth seeking the advice from the Famacia.
Thank you, much appreciated! I try to avoid pills as much as possible but I guess in this case it cannot be helped...Diclofenac at night (not the slow release) and ibuprofen in the morning.
Thanks, Gerard! I just don't want to mask the pain whilst possibly doing more damage. Is there a significant difference between Diclofenac and Ibuprofen?Poles are an excellent idea. Learn from utube how to use them correctly. Otherwise you'll be wasting your time and money as well as receiving no benefit.
Diclofenac with breakfast ensures muscles are being repaired while you walk. Diclofenac with dinner ensures muscles are being repaired while you sleep.
When fit I take 50 gms each morning. But I have no hesitation in taking another 50 gms in the evenings if I am feeling sore.
Consider ascertaining your daily prescription and taking half in the morning and half in the evening.
Regards..... (I couldn't walk without the Diclo)
Gerard
Is there a significant difference between Diclofenac and Ibuprofen?Diclofenac at night (not the slow release) and ibuprofen in the morning.
I foolishly did Irún to Donostia in one very painful day. Great to hear it is still possible despite crappy knees!! That's really given me a boost@Alan Alexander I'm in the crappy knee brigade too, having severely torn ligaments while young (skiing), and now seem to have no rubber left in them at all. So I am totally dependant on my trekking sticks. But I managed the Norte without problems, mainly by keeping the daily distances down at the beginning, until some of the muscles around my knees had strengthened. For example we did not walk all the way from Irun to San Sebastian the first day, but stopped in Passajes San Juan. Provided you are not totally dependant on albergues it is easy (with a few exceptions) to shorten distances on the Norte because there is so much in the way of alternative accommodation.
Good luck and I envy you - it's a beautiful camino.
GREAT!! I will do so! Thanks, Arthur! Looking forward to meeting Rosa!If you don't want to spend a fortune on your first trekking poles, I advise visiting a chinese shop - you can find lots of them in San Sebastian. They sell shock absorbing poles at 8-9 euros a piece, and they are surprisingly good regarding the price. Just make sure the handles have the shape that you like.
I also recommend having the next stop at the Orio's San Martin albergue. Not far from San Sebastian, but a great experience and Rosa is one of the angels of the Camino del Norte. And a good cook, too!
Buen Camino!
Thank youThere is no better way to destroy your Camino than walking on pain killers, because they make you insensitive to pain so that you destroy your knees and not feeling it. The Ibuprofen or other inflammatory pills should be taken after you are done with your walking for the day, not before or during.
Any doctor would advice you to shorten your stages, walk really slow on descents, and use trekking poles...
You will definitely catch up to me in that case! See you soonI'll be just a few days behind you, Alan Alexander, so if you make short stages, I'll catch up with you and I'll be happy to ask how your knees are doing in person, probably somewhere in Asturias... So take easy on your knees if you have 7 weeks - that's a lot! I have just 32 days. Buen Camino! Arthur.
I instinctively started doing that and, you're right, it helped. I even took to walking downhill backwards at one point...!All great advise, may I add, that even with poles, walk downhill in slalom style, zigzag, make your own switchbacks... whatever you want to call it. Avoid going straight down or run down etc. Buen Camino from an old mountain goat...;-)
Thank you, CC! I am carrying about 13kg including food and water which I think is acceptable, given that I'm about 80kg...I agree that pain killers should not be used foolishly. However, anti-inflammatories work by reducing inflammation, which is a good thing. That is why the pain is reduced. If you are going to continue successfully, you probably need to accept all the tools that are available and use them appropriately. The tools are, quite simply:
Don't give up until you have tried these things. Many people have knee problems and manage successfully. Many people wisely stop for a day or a year to let their knees heal.
- Reduced distances
- Poles
- Lighter load (you didn't mention the weight)
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Rest when necessary
- Knee brace if helpful
"I just don't want to mask the pain whilst possibly doing more damage"
You are smarter than many of the people trying to give you (not necessarilly) good advice. There is no better way to destroy your Camino than walking on pain killers, because they make you insensitive to pain so that you destroy your knees and not feeling it. The Ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory pills should be taken after you are done with your walking for the day, not before or during.
Any doctor would advice you to shorten your stages, walk really slow on descents, and use trekking poles...
I have no medical training! However, I understand that they are similar types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It may be worth trying both to see which one works better for you and your condition. If the one you have is not effective, try the other. By the way, there are "pain killers" that simply mask the pain. However, anti-inflammatories have another primary function that is useful, and the pain going away is secondary. I use them within the recommended doses, but I certainly do not ignore my injury.difference between Ibuprofen and Diclofenac
It only matters if it is acceptable to you and your body! But it does not sound like it is working well, so that would be the first thing to change. I would advise that you reduce to about 7-8 kg to give yourself the best chance. You can forward a bag on to Ivar (of this forum) in Santiago, or mail the stuff home. Feel free to list your contents and we will happily tell you what you don't need! Take advantage of a rest day or two to make these changes.I am carrying about 13kg including food and water which I think is acceptable, given that I'm about 80kg...
I will try to send a full list of items tomorrow evening. But I can tell you now that a big portion of the weight is the tent I'm carrying which adds about 2-3kg. I want to camp every now and again.It only matters if it is acceptable to you and your body! But it does not sound like it is working well, so that would be the first thing to change. I would advise that you reduce to about 7-8 kg to give yourself the best chance. You can forward a bag on to Ivar (of this forum) in Santiago, or mail the stuff home. Feel free to list your contents and we will happily tell you what you don't need! Take advantage of a rest day or two to make these changes.
I am carrying a tent too. I reckon it's about 2-3kg if I remember correctly.@Alan Alexander we did not set any specific daily target but initially tried to keep it down in the low teens. I agree that your pack seems heavy - are you sure you don't have unnecessary gear? If I don't wear a piece of clothing every day, then I don't need it (except a waterproof outer shell). My pack on the Norte was also about 13 kilos but I was carrying a tent and all the associated gear, and using an Aarn pack with balance packs. Without the tent it is 8 kilos and that includes things others would consider unnecessary (umbrella, fitted bottom sheet, pillow).
Take time to go through your pack and send the excess to Ivar to keep for you in Santiago!
Hope the weather is good and you get in some swimming.
While here I would appear to be in the minority I hold the opinion that there is nothing wrong with masking pain.Thanks, Gerard! I just don't want to mask the pain whilst possibly doing more damage. Is there a significant difference between Diclofenac and Ibuprofen?
I guess we need a pharmacist to weigh in, but my research says that both diclofenac and ibuprofen are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Perhaps you are thinking of paracetomol/tylenol, which is an analgesic (pain killer).Diclofenac is an anti inflamatory. Ibu a pain killer.
I guess we need a pharmacist to weigh in, but my research says that both diclofenac and ibuprofen are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Perhaps you are thinking of paracetomol/tylenol, which is an analgesic (pain killer).
I think that a tent is worth the weight only if you plan on extensive camping. As a diversion or back-up plan, it can be dead weight. Buen camino!I want to camp every now and again.
Thank you, CC! I am carrying about 13kg including food and water which I think is acceptable, given that I'm about 80kg...
Do you know if there is a difference between Ibuprofen and Diclofenac? I was recommended the latter and carry these with me. Should I buy some Ibuprofen as well?
I am buying hiking poles today and will consider a knee brace as well if this doesn't help. My elasticated knee straps don't seem to work.
Thank you, CC! I am carrying about 13kg including food and water which I think is acceptable, given that I'm about 80kg...
Do you know if there is a difference between Ibuprofen and Diclofenac? I was recommended the latter and carry these with me. Should I buy some Ibuprofen as well?
I am buying hiking poles today and will consider a knee brace as well if this doesn't help. My elasticated knee straps don't seem to work.
Thank you, CC! I am carrying about 13kg including food and water which I think is acceptable, given that I'm about 80kg...
Do you know if there is a difference between Ibuprofen and Diclofenac? I was recommended the latter and carry these with me. Should I buy some Ibuprofen as well?
I am buying hiking poles today and will consider a knee brace as well if this doesn't help. My elasticated knee straps don't seem to work.
I am carrying a tent too. I reckon it's about 2-3kg if I remember correctly.
What's wrong with a stick instead of poles Buen camino
Hi all,
I started the CdN yesterday from Irún and have been looking forward to 6/7 weeks of amazing hiking. But after about 6 hours my knees totally gave up. Coming downhill was absolute torture!! I am now questioning whether I can go on another day let alone all the way to Santiago
This morning, surprisingly, my knees seem to have recovered - though this may well be in part due to the Diclofenac I took last night before bed. I am going to take a day to rest here in San Sebastián and invest in some hiking poles. Pole recommendations and any other tips would be most welcome!
I was about 3 days into my Camino when my right knee gave out on me. I rested for two days, took quite a bit of Ibuprofen, and bought a good knee brace, the kind that slips over your knee with the hole for the knee cap and wrap around straps. After 2 days rest, and sending my pack ahead for 2 more days, and lots of ibuprofen, it started walking again, with some hiking poles i bought in Burgos. I improved greatly and was able to make it to Santiago. I don't think I could have done it without the the treatment mentioned above. don't give up too soon.Hi all,
I started the CdN yesterday from Irún and have been looking forward to 6/7 weeks of amazing hiking. But after about 6 hours my knees totally gave up. Coming downhill was absolute torture!! I am now questioning whether I can go on another day let alone all the way to Santiago
This morning, surprisingly, my knees seem to have recovered - though this may well be in part due to the Diclofenac I took last night before bed. I am going to take a day to rest here in San Sebastián and invest in some hiking poles. Pole recommendations and any other tips would be most welcome!
I made it! And it's absolutely beautiful! THOROUGHLY recommended! Thanks, Arthur!I also recommend having the next stop at the Orio's San Martin albergue. Not far from San Sebastian, but a great experience and Rosa is one of the angels of the Camino del Norte. And a good cook, too!
It's not a budget problem but I really like the idea of camping under the stars on my own.Consider losing the tent mate.
Unless it's a budget problem it's not an essential.
Thanks JGray! My first day ended up being 8 hours haha. I am actually in much better spirits today. The rest day in Donostia did wonders. By the end of today it was only my left knee that was hurting - my right seemed fine. The poles were amazing help!! I didn't get as far as Zarautz but chose to stay in Orio on the recommendation of @arthur1218 but no pasa nada. This hostel (San Martin) is AMAZING!Don't give up! You have received much advise, some of which I have not read, but good stuff! I would say that 6 hrs the first day was a bit ambitious. Knee brace, anti-inflamm, rest, then do a short day, then medium day, then see how you are doing. My guess is that your knees gave you warning. There is no shame in your knees telling you to take a short day! Best of luck, and doubt not. It is just your beginning. I am cheering for you!
Also, Boot the tent unless you absolutely need it. Even sleeping in the rough can be done every once in a while without it...Church porch, etc. Mail it home at the first opportunity which is...well, as your hospitalier or let me know where you are and I'll see if I can help.
Thanks, Debrita! The knees were better today. Started off really well after a day's rest in San Seb - even managed uphill sin problemas. But eventually my left knee gave in and was painful for most of the way down. At least my right held up this time.Of course I need to weigh in!
Advice has been excellent here.
Side note: I found the first week exceptionally grueling. Then, it gets better. It sounds like the "bad knee" brigade isn't a corps that will improve though, so all of the suggestions sound good. Poles--any poles--will help so much.
A tent?? Hmmmm. You are carrying too much weight, period. You need to try to reduce by at least four kilos. It will ease your pain.
What a great group of friends have weighed in here, and I am excited to hear back about how those knees are doing.
Deb
Best of luck to you cobber.I really like the idea of camping under the stars on my own.
Yeah I was recommended collagen so I might pop into the next pharmacy and grab some.you can also shore up your joints by taking a mineral supplement made for the purpose. I find them helpful. Spanish pharmacies have lots of kinds.
Thank you for the encouragement! I need it!!I was about 3 days into my Camino when my right knee gave out on me. I rested for two days, took quite a bit of Ibuprofen, and bought a good knee brace, the kind that slips over your knee with the hole for the knee cap and wrap around straps. After 2 days rest, and sending my pack ahead for 2 more days, and lots of ibuprofen, it started walking again, with some hiking poles i bought in Burgos. I improved greatly and was able to make it to Santiago. I don't think I could have done it without the the treatment mentioned above. don't give up too soon.
Took the coastal promenade route - definitely the better option for me! San José doesn't open until 3pm and apparently you can't book in advance but I will definitely search it out.Since you liked my recommendation, Alan, let me give you another one for tomorrow:
The albergue at the Convent of San Jose in Zumaia, for me an absolutely amazing place!
The distance would be about the same like you have done today, about 16 km.
But this albergue is not to be missed! And Zumaia is a beautiful little coastal town,
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/albergue-municipal-de-zumaia
Oh, and another tip: Regarding the knee problems, I wouldn't attempt the high route from Zarautz to Getaria. There is a nice and flat promenade along the coast which, I believe, is used by most pilgrims nowadays. There is still plenty of hills in Pais Vasco waiting for you
I am happy you feel better! Just take it easy and Santiago is yours!
Buen Camino!
Wow! You have been walking for just two days in Spain and you remember to place an accent over the e in San José. Impressive! That shows your respect for the language of the country you are visiting! Some people walk the Camino for 5 weeks and still don't know how to spell albergue or peregrinoSan José doesn't open until 3pm
I guess at this point I should confess that I currently work in an international school in Valencia... haha.Wow! You have been walking for just two days in Spain and you remember to place an accent over the e in San José. Impressive! That shows your respect for the language of the country you are visiting! Some people walk the Camino for 5 weeks and still don't know how to spell albergue or peregrino
Thumb up and Buen Camino!
Get some poles, you don't need anything special, not too cheap though. You will be amazed what a difference they will make especially down hill. Good luck Buen Camino xHi all,
I started the CdN yesterday from Irún and have been looking forward to 6/7 weeks of amazing hiking. But after about 6 hours my knees totally gave up. Coming downhill was absolute torture!! I am now questioning whether I can go on another day let alone all the way to Santiago
This morning, surprisingly, my knees seem to have recovered - though this may well be in part due to the Diclofenac I took last night before bed. I am going to take a day to rest here in San Sebastián and invest in some hiking poles. Pole recommendations and any other tips would be most welcome!
OMG YES YES to hiking poles. You will find that your knees will be so happy. Somewheres around 20 yrs ago, for some reason, I started using my cross country ski poles - what a help. Then I went for Leki with the springs. A bit more costly but worth every cent. Buen camino.Hi all,
I started the CdN yesterday from Irún and have been looking forward to 6/7 weeks of amazing hiking. But after about 6 hours my knees totally gave up. Coming downhill was absolute torture!! I am now questioning whether I can go on another day let alone all the way to Santiago
This morning, surprisingly, my knees seem to have recovered - though this may well be in part due to the Diclofenac I took last night before bed. I am going to take a day to rest here in San Sebastián and invest in some hiking poles. Pole recommendations and any other tips would be most welcome!
Hi all,
I started the CdN yesterday from Irún and have been looking forward to 6/7 weeks of amazing hiking. But after about 6 hours my knees totally gave up. Coming downhill was absolute torture!! I am now questioning whether I can go on another day let alone all the way to Santiago
This morning, surprisingly, my knees seem to have recovered - though this may well be in part due to the Diclofenac I took last night before bed. I am going to take a day to rest here in San Sebastián and invest in some hiking poles. Pole recommendations and any other tips would be most welcome!
Hi all,
I started the CdN yesterday from Irún and have been looking forward to 6/7 weeks of amazing hiking. But after about 6 hours my knees totally gave up. Coming downhill was absolute torture!! I am now questioning whether I can go on another day let alone all the way to Santiago
This morning, surprisingly, my knees seem to have recovered - though this may well be in part due to the Diclofenac I took last night before bed. I am going to take a day to rest here in San Sebastián and invest in some hiking poles. Pole recommendations and any other tips would be most welcome!
Hi all,
I started the CdN yesterday from Irún and have been looking forward to 6/7 weeks of amazing hiking. But after about 6 hours my knees totally gave up. Coming downhill was absolute torture!! I am now questioning whether I can go on another day let alone all the way to Santiago
This morning, surprisingly, my knees seem to have recovered - though this may well be in part due to the Diclofenac I took last night before bed. I am going to take a day to rest here in San Sebastián and invest in some hiking poles. Pole recommendations and any other tips would be most welcome!
Hi all,
I started the CdN yesterday from Irún and have been looking forward to 6/7 weeks of amazing hiking. But after about 6 hours my knees totally gave up. Coming downhill was absolute torture!! I am now questioning whether I can go on another day let alone all the way to Santiago
This morning, surprisingly, my knees seem to have recovered - though this may well be in part due to the Diclofenac I took last night before bed. I am going to take a day to rest here in San Sebastián and invest in some hiking poles. Pole recommendations and any other tips would be most welcome!
Hi all,
I started the CdN yesterday from Irún and have been looking forward to 6/7 weeks of amazing hiking. But after about 6 hours my knees totally gave up. Coming downhill was absolute torture!! I am now questioning whether I can go on another day let alone all the way to Santiago
This morning, surprisingly, my knees seem to have recovered - though this may well be in part due to the Diclofenac I took last night before bed. I am going to take a day to rest here in San Sebastián and invest in some hiking poles. Pole recommendations and any other tips would be most welcome!
Try to ck with albergues if they have any someone forgot. The give them away or sell at low prices. Best are rigid fiberglass poles. Reduce your load. I suggest you take the downgrades easy.Hi all,
I started the CdN yesterday from Irún and have been looking forward to 6/7 weeks of amazing hiking. But after about 6 hours my knees totally gave up. Coming downhill was absolute torture!! I am now questioning whether I can go on another day let alone all the way to Santiago
This morning, surprisingly, my knees seem to have recovered - though this may well be in part due to the Diclofenac I took last night before bed. I am going to take a day to rest here in San Sebastián and invest in some hiking poles. Pole recommendations and any other tips would be most welcome!
I was about 3 days into my Camino when my right knee gave out on me. I rested for two days, took quite a bit of Ibuprofen, and bought a good knee brace, the kind that slips over your knee with the hole for the knee cap and wrap around straps.
Omg they are a god send!!Get some poles, you don't need anything special, not too cheap though. You will be amazed what a difference they will make especially down hill. Good luck Buen Camino x
You are right! Best investment EVER!! My knees are eternally grateful!OMG YES YES to hiking poles. You will find that your knees will be so happy. Somewheres around 20 yrs ago, for some reason, I started using my cross country ski poles - what a help. Then I went for Leki with the springs. A bit more costly but worth every cent. Buen camino.
Thanks! I have some decent boots and use dual layered 1000 Mile socks. No blisters yet! I will look into reducing the weight but am starting to get the hang of it. I do need to stretch though - feeling lazing at the beginning and the end of the day...Reduce the weight of your pack in half. I reduced from 8 kg to 6 kg and it made a world of difference. Carry 1/2 the amount of water and stop to refill often. Stretch often, especially your IT band. Definitely use poles with shock absorbers. What boots and socks are you using? That can make a huge difference, too.
Buen Camino
Thank you so much for all the advice, hnguyen! I struggle to think ultra light but it clearly is possible! I think I've got the poles down now. I can't believe how much of a difference they make. And now one tells me there are shock absorbing ones available!? The good news is that I am in much better shape now! The last two days I made it through without much discomfort in either knee! Enjoy your latest Camino!Hi Alan. I second most of the previous comments and suggestions: 2 poles, shorter distances the first few days AND seriously lighten your load! A pack of 13 kgs (nearly 30 pounds), IMHO, is ways too heavy, regardless of your weight. I can see the need for such load (or even heavier) for such trails as the AT where one needs to be self sufficient. On the camino, where there are accommodations, food and water everywhere, one does not need to put such a heavy burden on one's back (and thus on one's shoulders, legs, ankles and knees!) If you carry something "in case" you need it, then you don't really need it. On my CF and CP (during cooler months), my pack was only 5 kgs. I'm about to leave for another walk on the CP later this month and this time my pack will only be 4 kgs (no need for fleece jacket or down vest since it's summertime.) I'm very conscious about weight saving (i.e. being ultra light) since I'm a polio survivor with an artificial knee - and just turned 70. That's also the reason I must use a pair of hiking poles (Leki.) I simply could not have done the previous 2 caminos without these poles. Make sure you ask some veteran pilgrims about the correct usage of these poles. I've seen some people who had no clue - in which case the poles became a hindrance and extra weight. I hope that by now you're in better shape and well on your way. Buen camino, amigo!
Hi LT, yes that would have been nice, especially on that day! Maybe some other time... Pero bueno, I made it as far as Markina now and no sign of stopping@Alan Alexander Sorry that I didn't know, we could have had a beer together in SS. I am here for the month taking a CELTA course and live a stone's throw from where you enter SS and walk beside the first beach.
This morning I decided to walk a bit of the Camino but my legs took me all the way to Zarautz! Camino deformation I guess - I see an arrow and I can't stop!
I did this part of the Camino last September but now nice to do it with sun. And I certainly don't remember that LONG downhill into Orio. It resembles the Calzada Romana. I was sorry that I left my walking poles at home - especially with all the ups and downs today.
Hope that you found some poles and are ok.
Cheers
LT
Thanks, Gillean! Loving the poles! I do use the hand straps a lot when going uphill so I don't have to grip so hard constantly. Definitely feeling it in my hands, forearms and triceps... Maybe I will use vitamin supplements - especially if it gets worse again!Couple of comments. Mostly hearsay.
I use an old pair of Leki poles and they work well for me. Just having poles is probably 80-90% of the solution - maybe even more. Fine tuning the type is worth maybe 10-20% more on top of that - maybe even less. That being said I have consistently heard very good things about Pacer Poles from the people I have met that used them. I had my hand straps tightened down too hard when I was first using poles and I think that did some sort of minor neurological damage to me. Left me with some tingling in one of my forearms. In fact I would recommend you consider not using the hand straps at all, especially if you are road walking where there is a narrow shoulder. Makes it much easier to ditch the poles if you have to bail out to the side of the road. Good idea to have poles that will compress down to a length that fits inside your pack either for carry-on or for checked baggage. Mine don't and they are a bit of an annoyance for that reason. The other nice thing about sticks is that they give you a little bit of confidence in some of the areas where barking dogs can be a bit intimidating.
I used vitamin I - one 600 mg in the evening before bed - to help with plantar fasciitis this year and it worked very well for me but I'm not a doctor and don't even play one on TV. I took a two day break from it at least once a week and was told by a doctor that that level of use would not be a problem for me. Also told by the same doctor that the best cure for overuse injuries was underuse - i.e. rest. You should get your own medical advice.
Agree with the advice to lighten your pack. If you are facing a big climb/descent day I also agree that you consider shipping your pack ahead. It's worth it.
Also heard good things about the physio tape that many people use. Brightly coloured. Looks sort of like "exo-tendons" on your skin. Apparently it lasts up to two weeks even with showering, etc.
I'm happy that you were able to sort things out so well, and early in your camino. Now that you are more confident, can I ask if you just discovered the forum after you had started, or whether you just didn't believe the constant advice to use poles and travel light?!Dear all,
Again, I cannot stress enough the difference your help and encouragement have made and I thank you all for saving my Camino!!!!!
xxx
I bought 600 mg ibuprofen in pharmacy in Spain..pilgrims helper!Is there a significant difference between Diclofenac and Ibuprofen?
Hey Alan, unexpectedly your post is turning into a blog- now we expect a daily update of your journey and tell us and how you areI used poles and found that traversing the downhills ie. going from side to side on the path varied the stress on my knees. Its a bit like skiing. Also adding a little bounce on the downhill helps with absorbing the shock to the knees. I hope you find a way to continue. Buen Camino.
Hello Alan - the body is an amazing machine and sleep does wonders, however, for me, poles are absolutely necessary. I use them to pull myself up the hills and they take the weight off my knees going down hill. Find some soon!! Have a great walk. I am starting the Norte in 10 days!Hi all,
I started the CdN yesterday from Irún and have been looking forward to 6/7 weeks of amazing hiking. But after about 6 hours my knees totally gave up. Coming downhill was absolute torture!! I am now questioning whether I can go on another day let alone all the way to Santiago
This morning, surprisingly, my knees seem to have recovered - though this may well be in part due to the Diclofenac I took last night before bed. I am going to take a day to rest here in San Sebastián and invest in some hiking poles. Pole recommendations and any other tips would be most welcome!
Haha I discovered it shortly before I left, but I didn't read anything about poles and didn't even think to look into it. Crossed the border into Cantabria today and reached 200km!!I'm happy that you were able to sort things out so well, and early in your camino. Now that you are more confident, can I ask if you just discovered the forum after you had started, or whether you just didn't believe the constant advice to use poles and travel light?!Please keep us up-to-date as you continue.
I guess you are starting today! You're going to have an amazing time. I don't think you will quite catch up to me pero bueno Have an amazing time and if you have any doubts or questions please ask!Hello Alan - the body is an amazing machine and sleep does wonders, however, for me, poles are absolutely necessary. I use them to pull myself up the hills and they take the weight off my knees going down hill. Find some soon!! Have a great walk. I am starting the Norte in 10 days!
A lot
Imbalance by only having one.
Not as strong.
Not adjustable in height for uphill, v downhill v flat.
and most importantly
No wrist straps, as they take all the weight.
Not wishing to start another pole or no pole debate sorry.
But a stick is no more a walking pole, than a 'flip flop' (thong, jandal), is a hiking shoe
I'm sad it's almost over...
In case anyone is still interested...
I made it to Galicia!! I can't believe this is the final stretch! I'm actually in Baamonde which means only 100km to go! Time has really flown by and walking has become the norm. I've had no problems with my feet, my knee seems to have sorted itself out and, yes, I'm still carrying my tent. I've still not used it (!) but I don't mind carrying it because when I walk across Japan I will need it, so it will be good to get used to carrying the extra weight.
Anyway, only a few days to go. I suppose I should book an albergue in Santiago ahead of time since the whole world will be descending on it at the same time. I'm sad it's almost over...
Getting into dangerous ground Robo , as gaillimh has finished 12 camino's .
It works for him ,
I assume he goes slow as he has done 4 Norte and Primitivo's .
A pole would be fine.
Hi, wondering how you walked with 3kg. Can you share the packing list? I would like to try that after doing the CF last year with 8kg and getting very painful heels.It's obviously impossible to diagnose at long distance but in my view the weight that you are carrying is just way too much
You're at over 16% of body weight, a common rule of thumb suggests 10%, I think 6-7% is achievable for a summer camino
I walk the Norte with 3kg (including a couple of bars of chocolate) plus liquid
Start leaving behind heavier items until your knees improve - I'm only half joking
And too many painkillers will serve to reduce the immediate pain but at the same time mask the true cause
Hi, wondering how you walked with 3kg. Can you share the packing list? I would like to try that after doing the CF last year with 8kg and getting very painful heels.
I have a massive makeup bag at home, but left most home except sunscreen and lip balm. It's possible to go without for a while. I found it very freeing letting go of all that face painting. Good luck.I am also very interested .
Maybe possible in the middle of summer , thats August , with one change of change.
Outside of that NO hope in 100 years.
I think the lady who has lived with me for over 40years and walked the last 8 years has 1kg in her toilet bag
Hi, wondering how you walked with 3kg. Can you share the packing list?
I seem to recall Spursfan had posted the details somewhere but I can't find it
From memory, no bedding or towel (not staying in albergue) and MINIMAL clothing.
I manage 5kg and have never missed anything.
I have a massive makeup bag at home, but left most home except sunscreen and lip balm. It's possible to go without for a while. I found it very freeing letting go of all that face painting. Good luck.
Hi, wondering how you walked with 3kg. Can you share the packing list? I would like to try that after doing the CF last year with 8kg and getting very painful heels.
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