First Camino in September 2016

[Tommybhoy]

Hi friends, I will be embarking on my first Camino in September and like many first-time pilgrims I'm filled with a nice kind of fear and nervousness. My main fear is that following surgery last year, will my strapped-up ankle hold out all the way from SJPdP to Santiago in the one calendar month I have given myself (due to work constraints). Having read many threads on this invaluable forum, I'll be grateful for the much needed advice / instructions. Buen Camino

 

[dougfitz]

@Thomas Woods, welcome. It will be much easier for forum members to help if you do a couple of simple things:

1. see what is already available by searching the forum, which admittedly can yield either a feast or a famine depending upon your search skills;
   
2. when there is a specific question you find hasn't been answered, ask it.

There are a couple of threads on the topic of searching and asking questions that go into much more detail, but this is probably enough to get you started.

ps - old posts do not necessarily mean the information is out-of-date.
pps - we cannot predict the weather, but we can point you to good climate sites if you cannot find them in you searches.
ppps - sorry, we can predict the weather, but don't really expect the results to be meaningful!

 

[Tommybhoy]

Many thanks Doug, I'll keep your advice / tips in mind for future post. Buen Camino

 

[NualaOC]

Hi friends, I will be embarking on my first Camino in September and like many first-time pilgrims I'm filled with a nice kind of fear and nervousness. My main fear is that following surgery last year, will my strapped-up ankle hold out all the way from SJPdP to Santiago in the one calendar month I have given myself (due to work constraints). Having read many threads on this invaluable forum, I'll be grateful for the much needed advice / instructions. Buen Camino

Welcome to the forum, Thomas. 500 miles in 4 weeks with a strapped up ankle sounds pretty tough to me! Wishing you well with your recovery, your training and your Camino.

 

[Tommybhoy]

Welcome to the forum, Thomas. 500 miles in 4 weeks with a strapped up ankle sounds pretty tough to me! Wishing you well with your recovery, your training and your Camino.

Many thanks @NualaOC , I've just begun training for September, so fingers crossed the ankle holds up.

 

[DeadFred]

My main fear is that following surgery last year, will my strapped-up ankle hold out all the way from SJPdP to Santiago in the one calendar month I have given myself (due to work constraints).

Sounds to me like your focusing on the goal rather than the event. I had 32 days to complete the same trek (2014) due to work constraints . I figured If I did 10 miles/day without any rest days I would still have 180 miles to go to get to Santiago. If I wanted two rest days I would have to do at least 19+ miles each day .

I finally concluded to toss the goal and live in the moment. To put away the mileage chart , to stop and smell the baguettes . I got as far as Los Arcos when my back went out and I had to rethink my mission. Going back to Los Arcos in May to continue on with a healthier back and NO mileage goals ( Retired) . Can't wait to smell the Baguettes again.

In my opinion Thomas Woods , go easy on yourself . Live in the moment

Joe

 

[Tommybhoy]

Sounds to me like your focusing on the goal rather than the event. I had 32 days to complete the same trek (2014) due to work constraints . I figured If I did 10 miles/day without any rest days I would still have 180 miles to go to get to Santiago. If I wanted two rest days I would have to do at least 19+ miles each day .

I finally concluded to toss the goal and live in the moment. To put away the mileage chart , to stop and smell the baguettes . I got as far as Los Arcos when my back went out and I had to rethink my mission. Going back to Los Arcos in May to continue on with a healthier back and NO mileage goals ( Retired) . Can't wait to smell the Baguettes again.

In my opinion Thomas Woods , go easy on yourself . Live in the moment

Joe

I agree with you completely Joe, to live in the moment, take in all the Camino has to offer and to smell the baguettes! However, a couple of things are driving me to complete the Camino Frances in this time. One is I don't believe I will get the chance again to do this, what I believe is, for me, a life changing endeavour and so I'll challenge myself every day. Secondly, I'll be doing it for a couple of charities which are so important to me, and they could really do with the funding. I'll find many reasons to keep going on the Camino, so I'll take each day as it comes.
Regards,
Thomas

 

[Aidan21]

Hi Thomas,
Welcome to the forum and good luck with your walk. I am sure you have your good reasons for thinking you may never get the chance to walk the Camino again, but trying to tell the future can be very hit and miss. I suspect if you live in the moment and are open to all that the Camino can bring to you that you will come back again. Never say never. Live life and enjoy today and let the future take care of itself.
Aidan

 

[DeadFred]

I agree with you completely Joe, to live in the moment, take in all the Camino has to offer and to smell the baguettes! However, a couple of things are driving me to complete the Camino Frances in this time. One is I don't believe I will get the chance again to do this, what I believe is, for me, a life changing endeavour and so I'll challenge myself every day. Secondly, I'll be doing it for a couple of charities which are so important to me, and they could really do with the funding. I'll find many reasons to keep going on the Camino, so I'll take each day as it comes.
Regards,
Thomas

Have a wonderful Camin0 Thomas. It's a very good thing you are doing . If you decide to keep a blog of your Camino please share it with us.
Buen Camino
Joe

 

[vgen5122]

I had back surgery last August 16, 2015 and I will be leaving on my 2nd
Camino around August 24,2016. I will not be carrying my backpack this time. I will use the services of the people that pick up your backpack and deliver it to your albergue. This will allow me to minimize the weight that I carry. Buen Camino.

 

[Tommybhoy]

I had back surgery last August 16, 2015 and I will be leaving on my 2nd
Camino around August 24,2016. I will not be carrying my backpack this time. I will use the services of the people that pick up your backpack and deliver it to your albergue. This will allow me to minimize the weight that I carry. Buen Camino.

That's an excellent suggestion @vgen5122 , I'll definitely make use of the forward delivery service provided ar several stops along the way, thank you. Buen Camino

 

[Tommybhoy]

Well that's my Camino all organised Arrive in Biarritz on 28 August, stay overnight in Bayonne (can't get transport to SJPDP due to my late flight arrival) and beginning The Way on the 29th. So looking forward to the new experiences and meeting my fellow peregrinos.
Buen Camino!