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I will add I walk a lot in my job and the last time I walked the trail my total walking for the day was 25.8 miles per my Fitbit, but different shoes though for off the trail.I have been prepping for walking the Camino in Sept. I am 56 and have been increasing my walking the last few years to get ready. My question is, I walk a trail 17 miles straight with out stopping. I have done this at least once a week for the last 3 months. My whole body feels fine, no blisters or anything, but my feet will start to hurt the last couple miles. Will taking short breaks help or does people have an opinion it's a shoe issue. It is flat as I live in SW Michigan.
I have been prepping for walking the Camino in Sept. I am 56 and have been increasing my walking the last few years to get ready. My question is, I walk a trail 17 miles straight with out stopping. I have done this at least once a week for the last 3 months. My whole body feels fine, no blisters or anything, but my feet will start to hurt the last couple miles. Will taking short breaks help or does people have an opinion it's a shoe issue. It is flat as I live in SW Michigan.
Spending one day a week walking a long distance means that you have a 6 day recovery in between walks. On Camino, you will be walking daily with a 12 or 16 hour (more or less) window for recovery. This means that your current conditioning does not replicate what you will experience on Camino. If you want a more accurate comparison, then wear the clothing and footwear you will wear, use the pack loaded with all that you plan on bringing, and do the same walking each day for a week.
That will give you a better comparison.
Hurting feet have multiple causes. The first and most likely cause is that you are using your feet in a way that is not normal for you to use them. Most everyone will experience foot soreness under the same conditions.
Then there are structural issues with the foot. A podiatrist can help diagnose whether your foot pain has an underlying cause that is medically identifiable. For example, metatarsal issues will produce a deep ache and pain at the front of the foot. Plantars Fasciitis will produce pain in the heel area of the sole of your foot.
There are other reasons for both of the symptoms I described above, and for that reason it is important to see a Podiatrist to help it all sorted out.
Short, frequent breaks may or may not help. Again, that depends on the issue with your feet. Breaks won't create more problems, but they might not solve them either.
As to shoes.... yes, a shoe that is too narrow or too short can cause aching feet. This is a re-post of what I have previously writtent regarding the proper sizing of shoes:
You purchase a shoe for hiking or trekking based on how it feels, not based on measurement or current shoe size.
- Feet should be measured for hiking footwear after having been on one's feet for most of the day.
- Wear your backpack to the shop loaded with 15 to 20 pounds of weight.
- Wear the sock(s) you will be wearing on Camino.
- Stand up while wearing your gear, with your full weight centred over the foot being measured.
- That measurement is only a guide, a starting place of what size to begin trying on.
- Bring any third party insole, orthotic, metatarsal pads, etc. which you will be using, and put it in the shoe you are trying on.
- If, when trying on the shoe, you can force your toes to even barely touch the front of the shoe, add one size up from the length of the shoe. Try to find an incline to stand on while doing this. Most outdoor stores with good shoe departments -- like an REI -- will have an incline and 'rock pile' setup so you can do this 'toe touch' test.
- If the shoe is snug on the width of your feet, try a wider width or two. The shoe should not feel the least bit snug at the width.
- Walk around the store for quite a while with your pack on. Go up and down stairs. Force your feet forward as much as possible in the shoe to feel if your toes are clear of touching the shoe.
- Ask about return policy. Some stores, like REI, will allow returns even if the shoes are worn outdoors for a few weeks. Most stores aren't that generous. But you do not want to buy shoes from a store which will not allow a return, even if worn indoors, for a few days.
- Do not buy into a salesman's pitch that a shoe will feel better after "breaking in". If they feel odd or uncomfortable in the store, it won't get better with age.
Thanks for the reply. I walked every day 5-10 miles in my job and have done the 17 mile hike in back to back days last summer once, the trying to find time has been the issue. I do have my backpack know and have walked once with it on with just my Camelback in it. I don't have any hills around here though. I plan as it gets closer to my time to leave to increase the frequency of my long walks if possible. I want to look for some training guides and do my best and get ready. I guess short stops won't help the sore stiff feet I am feeling and maybe it's a shoe issue. Someone had told me short 5 min stops every hours and elevate your feet. Thanks again for replying.Spending one day a week walking a long distance means that you have a 6 day recovery in between walks. On Camino, you will be walking daily with a 12 or 16 hour (more or less) window for recovery. This means that your current conditioning does not replicate what you will experience on Camino. If you want a more accurate comparison, then wear the clothing and footwear you will wear, use the pack loaded with all that you plan on bringing, and do the same walking each day for a week.
That will give you a better comparison.
Hurting feet have multiple causes. The first and most likely cause is that you are using your feet in a way that is not normal for you to use them. Most everyone will experience foot soreness under the same conditions.
Then there are structural issues with the foot. A podiatrist can help diagnose whether your foot pain has an underlying cause that is medically identifiable. For example, metatarsal issues will produce a deep ache and pain at the front of the foot. Plantars Fasciitis will produce pain in the heel area of the sole of your foot.
There are other reasons for both of the symptoms I described above, and for that reason it is important to see a Podiatrist to help it all sorted out.
Short, frequent breaks may or may not help. Again, that depends on the issue with your feet. Breaks won't create more problems, but they might not solve them either.
As to shoes.... yes, a shoe that is too narrow or too short can cause aching feet. This is a re-post of what I have previously writtent regarding the proper sizing of shoes:
You purchase a shoe for hiking or trekking based on how it feels, not based on measurement or current shoe size.
- Feet should be measured for hiking footwear after having been on one's feet for most of the day.
- Wear your backpack to the shop loaded with 15 to 20 pounds of weight.
- Wear the sock(s) you will be wearing on Camino.
- Stand up while wearing your gear, with your full weight centred over the foot being measured.
- That measurement is only a guide, a starting place of what size to begin trying on.
- Bring any third party insole, orthotic, metatarsal pads, etc. which you will be using, and put it in the shoe you are trying on.
- If, when trying on the shoe, you can force your toes to even barely touch the front of the shoe, add one size up from the length of the shoe. Try to find an incline to stand on while doing this. Most outdoor stores with good shoe departments -- like an REI -- will have an incline and 'rock pile' setup so you can do this 'toe touch' test.
- If the shoe is snug on the width of your feet, try a wider width or two. The shoe should not feel the least bit snug at the width.
- Walk around the store for quite a while with your pack on. Go up and down stairs. Force your feet forward as much as possible in the shoe to feel if your toes are clear of touching the shoe.
- Ask about return policy. Some stores, like REI, will allow returns even if the shoes are worn outdoors for a few weeks. Most stores aren't that generous. But you do not want to buy shoes from a store which will not allow a return, even if worn indoors, for a few days.
- Do not buy into a salesman's pitch that a shoe will feel better after "breaking in". If they feel odd or uncomfortable in the store, it won't get better with age.
Thanks for the reply. I walked every day 5-10 miles in my job and have done the 17 mile hike in back to back days last summer once, the trying to find time has been the issue. I do have my backpack know and have walked once with it on with just my Camelback in it. I don't have any hills around here though. I plan as it gets closer to my time to leave to increase the frequency of my long walks if possible. I want to look for some training guides and do my best and get ready. I guess short stops won't help the sore stiff feet I am feeling and maybe it's a shoe issue. Someone had told me short 5 min stops every hours and elevate your feet. Thanks again for replying.
I am 73 and walked the Primitivo to Muxia last September. I took 18 days,and walked a comfortable distance each day. I did have one 40 km day though. I had one small blister on one of my toes. I walked for several months before the trip10 to 15 km 3 times a week with a 26 km walk once a week always with my pack. Have been walking in the Cascades all of my life. Was not in the best of shape but kept up with,and outlasted much younger people. I think that with your age and training,you will do fine! Worry less, Buen Camino!Thanks for the reply. I walked every day 5-10 miles in my job and have done the 17 mile hike in back to back days last summer once, the trying to find time has been the issue. I do have my backpack know and have walked once with it on with just my Camelback in it. I don't have any hills around here though. I plan as it gets closer to my time to leave to increase the frequency of my long walks if possible. I want to look for some training guides and do my best and get ready. I guess short stops won't help the sore stiff feet I am feeling and maybe it's a shoe issue. Someone had told me short 5 min stops every hours and elevate your feet. Thanks again for replying.
Of course, some have the philosophy that it's not terribly necessary to train at all...its just walking after all... and that prolonged and aggressive training may risk injury that prevents them from making it to the start line at all. (Never mind the time and energy it takes in an otherwise busy life) I have walked two 900 km Caminos averaging 30k a day with no training and no ill effect.
I wouldn't even dream of going on an 8 hour training walk. If I have the basic ability to be up and about and walkin around all day, that's good enough for me. Unless one is racing the Camino and striving for some sort of competitive result, I, personally, don't believe that months and miles of training offer much benefit and may result in more harm.
To answer that question, why don't you try taking a 15 minute break or two during your next walk?Will taking short breaks help?
I have been prepping for walking the Camino in Sept. I am 56 and have been increasing my walking the last few years to get ready. My question is, I walk a trail 17 miles straight with out stopping. I have done this at least once a week for the last 3 months. My whole body feels fine, no blisters or anything, but my feet will start to hurt the last couple miles. Will taking short breaks help or does people have an opinion it's a shoe issue. It is flat as I live in SW Michigan.
aggressive training is not advised
All things being equal sure, but I'd never have been capable of my 2014 without it ... things like this do vary from one person to the next.
Good to take a break. 17 miles is more for the young! Try 12 to 15max when on the Camino, as you will be less inclined to have injuries.I have been prepping for walking the Camino in Sept. I am 56 and have been increasing my walking the last few years to get ready. My question is, I walk a trail 17 miles straight with out stopping. I have done this at least once a week for the last 3 months. My whole body feels fine, no blisters or anything, but my feet will start to hurt the last couple miles. Will taking short breaks help or does people have an opinion it's a shoe issue. It is flat as I live in SW Michigan.
Yes, take a short break every hour for 5 to 10 minutes. The little muscles in your feet get sore just like any muscle as you overwork them and they get stronger. And I agree to wear your pack while you train. A pack that feels light in the living room feels different after 10 miles and that will strengthen your feet. Remember also your feet will swell by the end of the day so buy shoes a size larger.I have been prepping for walking the Camino in Sept. I am 56 and have been increasing my walking the last few years to get ready. My question is, I walk a trail 17 miles straight with out stopping. I have done this at least once a week for the last 3 months. My whole body feels fine, no blisters or anything, but my feet will start to hurt the last couple miles. Will taking short breaks help or does people have an opinion it's a shoe issue. It is flat as I live in SW Michigan.
Would you be willing to share a bit about what worked for you?
I've walked a lot of long distance paths and I invariably end up with feet that ache. You could say its par for the course. Especially if you are carrying a pack.
Walking 1000 K + over the course of a year in order to prepare for walking 1000 K + (it was eventually 1200 K).
The longest hike I actually did between that training and the Camino was a memorable 40 K or so in Winter through a desert forest with absolute time constraints and absence of any possibility of outside assistance 'til the other side -- that was a significant step towards being sure I could manage a 1000 K +
But well, when I was younger, back in the 90s, multiple 40K training hikes in the week became my norm, and learning that ability to walk 40K daily was absolutely necessary for the time and distance constraints for my 1994 Paris to Compostela Camino (44 days !!).
But I think that the training regimen that I need myself is mostly a consequence of my outlandish and damaged physique -- there's no reason why a more normally constituted hiker without onerous health issues should have to train that intensively.
Unless you have time restraints, there is no need to walk 17 miles at a time.I have been prepping for walking the Camino in Sept. I am 56 and have been increasing my walking the last few years to get ready. My question is, I walk a trail 17 miles straight with out stopping. I have done this at least once a week for the last 3 months. My whole body feels fine, no blisters or anything, but my feet will start to hurt the last couple miles. Will taking short breaks help or does people have an opinion it's a shoe issue. It is flat as I live in SW Michigan.
I would say it is more of a preference for me rather than an issue of time or need. People have their own natural rhythms and pace that they are comfortable with.Unless you have time restraints, there is no need to walk 17 miles at a time.
Look into Solomon's seal. I was told that I needed a knee replacement years ago and started to make a tea from Solomon's Seal along with taking circuit daily, and actually repaired my knee. Check out the benefits of Solomon's Seal for yourself. I walked the Primitivo last fall with little problems.The folks who advise not training before a Camino, as the first week is conditioning-on-the-fly, are correct, to an extent. In my experience and observation, I found that most of these pilgrims start off their Caminos with advantages not enjoyed by the rest of us. for example, but not limited to, they tend to:
1. Be either thinner, lighter or shorter of stature. I noticed that shorter, smaller, lighter pilgrims tend to walk more sure-footedly and faster than those of use 'larger' folks. I have a theory about the relationship between the vertical distance of the person's "pelvic girdle / basket" to the earth...but it is only a theory...
2. Carry smaller, lighter loads.
3. Start in better conditioning generally, as a result of routine daily activities "back in the world," genetics, or a relatively healthier lifestyle, pre-camino.
Because my menisci cartridge (knees) are knackered from two earlier decades of being morbidly obese, I must exercise several times weekly using weight resistance machines in a circuit, to build up muscles in my knees and hips to compensate for this absence of cushioning.
It is a running contest between me, the Camino, and joint replacement surgery. I am trying to hold it off long enough for the emerging stem cell therapy to be able to rebuild my menisci without the need for invasive surgery.
Hope this helps the dialog.
The folks who advise not training before a Camino, as the first week is conditioning-on-the-fly, are correct, to an extent. In my experience and observation, I found that most of these pilgrims start off their Caminos with advantages not enjoyed by the rest of us. for example, but not limited to, they tend to:
1. Be either thinner, lighter or shorter of stature. I noticed that shorter, smaller, lighter pilgrims tend to walk more sure-footedly and faster than those of use 'larger' folks. I have a theory about the relationship between the vertical distance of the person's "pelvic girdle / basket" to the earth...but it is only a theory...
2. Carry smaller, lighter loads.
3. Start in better conditioning generally, as a result of routine daily activities "back in the world," genetics, or a relatively healthier lifestyle, pre-camino.
Because my menisci cartridge (knees) are knackered from two earlier decades of being morbidly obese, I must exercise several times weekly using weight resistance machines in a circuit, to build up muscles in my knees and hips to compensate for this absence of cushioning.
It is a running contest between me, the Camino, and joint replacement surgery. I am trying to hold it off long enough for the emerging stem cell therapy to be able to rebuild my menisci without the need for invasive surgery.
Hope this helps the dialog.
t2, which weight resistance machines do you use for your knees and hips? Are the leg curls and leg extension machines useful?
imagine yourself walking a half marathon every day for 35 to 40 days, over terrain varying from hard pavement to dirt (or muddy) trails, sometimes over steep and rocky ups and downs, in weather that can be hot and dry or cold and wet, all the while carrying a backpack weighing roughly 6.5 to 7.5 kg / 15 to 17 lbs. And as @davebugg has reminded us, with only 12 to 16 hours of recovery time between sessions.
I would say it is more of a preference for me rather than an issue of time or need. People have their own natural rhythms and pace that they are comfortable with.For me, I prefer an 0700 -0730 start and to walk into the late afternoon. That means I will naturally walk between 18 and 24 miles per day, all the while enjoying all the Camino has to offer.
A very similar approach to my own, though I'm also quite happy with 10 AM starts and so on.
As a geezer, I'll stick with the half marathon versionNo imagination needed here, just memory -- but imagine the same with a daily marathon, not half one.
I found stops to rest my feet to be helpful, as I carried sandals as post camino footwear, I'd lose my shoes and socks during second breakfast, lunch and other breaks and let my socks and shoes dry thoroughly, if the break wasn't long enough for my socks to dry I'd swap socks ( darntough wool btw) and hang the damp ones to dry on my pack. longer breaks I'd lay down briefly ( I was 59 at the time) and elevate my feet. Each day by the end of the day my feet hurt but not intolerably, and they ached before I warmed them up each morning but I was able to make it from Irun to Santiago over the Norte and primativo with only minor pain and one tiny blister which I lost alone and only had for 3 days. Your mileage will vary but my belief is that attentive foot are is key. Buen CaminoChanging your socks during the hike may help as your walking will compress the sock's cushioning. Thicker socks might help too but then you have to think about fit and possible heat and sweat problems. Replacing the insoles that came with the boots may help (or hurt.)
Good idea to walk the long distances, but what I wish I had done was more training on a stair master to prepare me for the steep ups and downs. That has been more the challenge for me rather than the distances. Also train with your fully loaded backpack. This is very important.I have been prepping for walking the Camino in Sept. I am 56 and have been increasing my walking the last few years to get ready. My question is, I walk a trail 17 miles straight with out stopping. I have done this at least once a week for the last 3 months. My whole body feels fine, no blisters or anything, but my feet will start to hurt the last couple miles. Will taking short breaks help or does people have an opinion it's a shoe issue. It is flat as I live in SW Michigan.
I have been prepping for walking the Camino in Sept. I am 56 and have been increasing my walking the last few years to get ready. My question is, I walk a trail 17 miles straight with out stopping. I have done this at least once a week for the last 3 months. My whole body feels fine, no blisters or anything, but my feet will start to hurt the last couple miles. Will taking short breaks help or does people have an opinion it's a shoe issue. It is flat as I live in SW Michigan.
I do the opposite - I pick the lightest shoes possible, since a pound/ounce/kilo/gram on the foot is equal to 5 on the back. There are some great highly cushioned, but lightweight shoes available now, such as Hokas, Alturas, etc.. I select my shoes by weight, heavier is better.
I find taking regular breaks & airing my feet really helps reduce and swelling or pain. Your feet are the most important tool so be kind to them. Vascoline rub on them in the morning. Tape up your toes & any “hot” spots, and intermittent rests help. Massage and/or ice at night before bed. Good luckI have been prepping for walking the Camino in Sept. I am 56 and have been increasing my walking the last few years to get ready. My question is, I walk a trail 17 miles straight with out stopping. I have done this at least once a week for the last 3 months. My whole body feels fine, no blisters or anything, but my feet will start to hurt the last couple miles. Will taking short breaks help or does people have an opinion it's a shoe issue. It is flat as I live in SW Michigan.
That's not a bug, it's a feature. Time for a long rest or the equivalent. Changing socks helps some, but I don't think that has anything to do with the actual socks. Take off the pack, and the boots, and soak your feet in whatever small river you come upon. I don't know why more people don't do this, but it is healing for both soles.but my feet will start to hurt the last couple miles
A lot of people probably don't soak their feet in small rivers along the way because they've read a lot of other people say, in forums like this one, that to get your feet wet during the walk, even if you dry them as best you can, is a sure way to end up with blisters. I can understand them not wanting to risk it, no matter how tempting that water might be.That's not a bug, it's a feature. Time for a long rest or the equivalent. Changing socks helps some, but I don't think that has anything to do with the actual socks. Take off the pack, and the boots, and soak your feet in whatever small river you come upon. I don't know why more people don't do this, but it is healing for both soles.
I can tell you that when I walked the Camino Frances with my son in July and August, he certainly wanted to minimize stops. His thinking was "The fewer the stops, the sooner we arrive. The sooner we arrive, the less we are walking in the hottest part of the day." Which isn't to say that we never stopped, never enjoyed the scenery, etc. Just that, depending on when one is walking, I can understand why one might want to get to the destination in a timely manner.You lost me at ‘straight without stopping’ - My question is: why would you want to walk without stopping on the way? Besides foot and leg problems, the real issue is - why spend all that energy into trying to get somewhere, rather than being present, occasionally slowing down and taking a few extra breaths, admiring the scenery, etc. personally, though I occasionally got to do 35 km, I would never have rushed that distance, but spread it out over a longer day. Camino = the way, not destination itself.
I have been prepping for walking the Camino in Sept. I am 56 and have been increasing my walking the last few years to get ready. My question is, I walk a trail 17 miles straight with out stopping. I have done this at least once a week for the last 3 months. My whole body feels fine, no blisters or anything, but my feet will start to hurt the last couple miles. Will taking short breaks help or does people have an opinion it's a shoe issue. It is flat as I live in SW Michigan.
This thread reveals an amazing difference of approach in strategies adopted to cope with the trials and tribulations of long distance walking. Most interesting, as Mr Spock would have commented. I plan to commence my 1st Camino (Frances) on 22 September (7 weeks time!!!). I've been planning for it for almost 2 years. I retired from a spare time job three weeks ago in order to be able to fully concentrate on Camino matters. I'm no stranger to walking the sort of distances that vwzoo quotes in his post i.e. 15 to 20 miles. Like vwzoo I would do these walks (almost) without stopping. My attitude was that the less time I stopped the quicker I would finish. In truth I did stop maybe for a couple of 15 minute breaks for water/juice and some sort of sandwich/energy bar that I'd brought along. I'd finish without too many problems with my feet, never ever any blisters but with the knees and calf muscles feeling they'd been given a good workout depending on the type of terrain and weather.
But earlier this year I encountered something in the way of a moment revelation/enlightenment. I'd planned a 22 mile walk. Unfortunately on that same day the UK was hit by one of the two wintry blasts from Siberia that we had earlier. In addition to that we'd had weeks of cold and very wet weather that had transformed the countryside into a huge muddy quagmire. Undaunted I set off. One of the first obstacles being the main road bridge over the river in Southampton that rises almost 100 feet at its highest point. Wind speed at the top must have been gale force 8 or severe gale 9 and an air temperature of about 2 degrees Celsius. As this was still in an urban area, there was a cafe displaying the sign 'Serving Breakfast' just beyond the other side of the bridge. Too much of a temptation to walk past having just about survived the crossing of the bridge. 40 minutes later I emerged well fed, watered, and alive again., transformed utterly. I do admit to feeling extremely guilty about having gone into the cafe at all as though it had somehow violated some unwritten ruling that 'proper walkers' don't stop until the end and only then should they be allowed to enjoy the 'fruits' of a good meal and a decent drink in comfortable surroundings. Later that day I stopped again at the 15 mile mark at a pub - for beer and bar meal. When I got home I felt much much better than I thought I would have done -given the extreme wind chill that day and at least 11 miles of the route ploughing through footpaths either under knee deep water or energy-sapping ankle deep mud.
Upon reflection I realised that what I did that day will in fact replicate quite well what I expect to find along much of the Camino, in that there will be in many cases no shortage of opportunities to eat and drink and rest in between. On all the recent walks that I've done with my fully packed rucksack I now adopt the same strategy of having something to eat before I set off, then take a cooked breakfast at mid morning, then cooked lunch mid afternoon. No more sandwiches and energy bars unless I know I'll walking in an area without refreshments.In between I pick up bits and pieces such as ice cream etc. I feel pretty good at the end of the 20 miles, but to be honest I can feel that the knees and feet have had a bit of a workout. So my recipe for success is keep the body's internal fuel tank well topped up, take a couple of decent rests, and plan your day in advance factoring in the time taken whilst resting
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