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The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
Thank you, Joe, for your kind reply. I do hope to be able to increase the distance gradually like you mentioned. The distances noted in the books are so daunting!
What do most seniors average walking per day?
I am a newbie like you.The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
Are you sure you haven't walked the Camino yet? Because that's a pretty good description of exactly what it's like.I am a newbie like you.
I want to share a concept with you.
When I 'train' I go out and walk and walk, possibly with a coffee stop and definitely with a plan to either walk home or get myself home on a bus. I am usually out no longer than 3-4 hours and walk 15+ km.
I think that the circumstances of having ALL day to walk, having as many stops as I want, rests, meals, chats, scenery and historical stops AND the fact that if you don't walk a little bit further you won't have a bed or food, might change your way of both thinking and walking.
My point is that is it impossible to 'mock up' or represent the actual circumstance of the Camino 'at home' with the best will in the world. Instead of 'training' you will have real life, new fun, adventures excitement, encouragement and company from others and a wonderful sense of 'purpose'. Even if is all goes for sh!t, you won't die, and instead have a wonderful adventure. Imagine how you will laugh later at having slept under a tree in a field with a bull that you discover at dawn! I can't wait!
Don't fret!
I refuse to!
BTW I turn 65 on Wednesday 29th March and leave for my first Camino in less than 3 weeks..
No...I am prepared to die at the (hands) of Spanish bull in a paddock before sunrise.Are you sure you haven't walked the Camino yet? Because that's a pretty good description of exactly what it's like.
I am a newbie like you.
I want to share a concept with you.
When I 'train' I go out and walk and walk, possibly with a coffee stop and definitely with a plan to either walk home or get myself home on a bus. I am usually out no longer than 3-4 hours and walk 15+ km.
I think that the circumstances of having ALL day to walk, having as many stops as I want, rests, meals, chats, scenery and historical stops AND the fact that if you don't walk a little bit further you won't have a bed or food, might change your way of both thinking and walking.
My point is that is it impossible to 'mock up' or represent the actual circumstance of the Camino 'at home' with the best will in the world. Instead of 'training' you will have real life, new fun, adventures excitement, encouragement and company from others and a wonderful sense of 'purpose'. Even if is all goes for sh!t, you won't die, and instead have a wonderful adventure. Imagine how you will laugh later at having slept under a tree in a field with a bull that you discover at dawn! I can't wait!
Don't fret!
I refuse to!
BTW I turn 65 on Wednesday 29th March and leave for my first Camino in less than 3 weeks..
I am a newbie like you.
I want to share a concept with you.
When I 'train' I go out and walk and walk, possibly with a coffee stop and definitely with a plan to either walk home or get myself home on a bus. I am usually out no longer than 3-4 hours and walk 15+ km.
I think that the circumstances of having ALL day to walk, having as many stops as I want, rests, meals, chats, scenery and historical stops AND the fact that if you don't walk a little bit further you won't have a bed or food, might change your way of both thinking and walking.
My point is that is it impossible to 'mock up' or represent the actual circumstance of the Camino 'at home' with the best will in the world. Instead of 'training' you will have real life, new fun, adventures excitement, encouragement and company from others and a wonderful sense of 'purpose'. Even if is all goes for sh!t, you won't die, and instead have a wonderful adventure. Imagine how you will laugh later at having slept under a tree in a field with a bull that you discover at dawn! I can't wait!
Don't fret!
I refuse to!
BTW I turn 65 on Wednesday 29th March and leave for my first Camino in less than 3 weeks..
I am a 64 year old gal of small to average stature and on my Caminos average 13 miles per day when all is said and done. I have walked 18-20 miles a few times when needed, but definately not preferred! I do stop to take photos quite often. I too, get tired at home after a 6 mile hike, but somehow the Caminos are more exciting, with new views at every turn. It kind of helps to take your mind off some of the hardship involved! I go a third time on April 10th! Enjoy your first (possibly of many) Caminos!The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
Hey, Chuck, ditch the TV and a few of those odds and ends, and I bet you'll really notice the difference.BTW 15 km seems like a hell of a long way to me while most on these forums seem to equate 15 km like it's a walk to the bathroom. At my age I have a hard time driving that far.
Also consider the issue from another point of view. Suppose you walk only 4 or 5 hours. If it suits you, it is fine. But you will have lots of hours in the albergue, in sometimes minuscule villages where there is not too much to do or see. If it is worse with seasons where bad weather is a distinct possibility. If you are a very social person, it is not a problem. If not, you better carry a book, or your music, update your blog, or whatever entertains you better.
Ditch the TV!!! You gotta be kidding me and miss NCIS!!Hey, Chuck, ditch the TV and a few of those odds and ends, and I bet you'll really notice the difference.
BTW 15 km seems like a hell of a long way to me while most on these forums seem to equate 15 km like it's a walk to the bathroom. At my age I have a hard time driving that far.
I sure wish I had your stamina! Kudos to you. I walk until 2 or 3pm just to get my 13 miles in!Good point. I was naively trying to follow 'the stages' when I started. But I'm a fast walker. I'd be done before noon and killing the day was a real bore! That's when I decided to actually walk until closer to 3 or 4 or 5 in the afternoon and ended up doing over 30 k a day for the last three weeks.
Stream it onto your mobile phone.Ditch the TV!!! You gotta be kidding me and miss NCIS!!
"As you will see, you can walk far less (most days), and if you are uncomfortable, there are reliable bus & train services in Spain to take you where you want. Also taxi is an option." I really like the relaxed attitude here. When I did the AT there were so many purists that got all over people for what they call "yellow blazing" or hitching a ride, taking a bus a short distance. shuttle Etc.I will be 63 on Thursday. As you can see on my profile (left side) I have walked a few times before, and will walk the Portuguese next month.
I like 20-25 kms/day, but can do more after 1-2 weeks on the Camino. But: It is all up to you. The CF has many opportunities for accomodation, so you decide each day where/when to stop for the day. Just relax. I should also say that last year, I checked one of these guide books (Brierley) that another pilgrim used, and some of the "stages" where completely ridiculus: Too far, and not correctly described. As earlier adviced: Check your options here:
http://www.godesalco.com/plan/frances just for the fun of it.
As you will see, you can walk far less (most days), and if you are uncomfortable, there are reliable bus & train services in Spain to take you where you want. Also taxi is an option.
Ya gotta love modern technology!! LOLStream it onto your mobile phone.
I wouldn't worry about the stages. Many of my favorite alburgues were off stage. The alburgues that are not at stage stops tend to be less crowded. On average, I walked 14 miles a day. When I walked in 2015, only 17 of my 34 days walking ended in a Brierly stage stop, and of those 17 days, only 10 involved walking the stage as Brierly suggested. I think some of the most delightful moments come from forgetting about the stages and letting your body and spirit be your guide. I found the Wise Pilgrim iPhone app to be indispensable in helping select alburgues to stop at in off-stage towns.The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
Some part of a Camino is learning to be comfortable with yourself!!I'd be done before noon and killing the day was a real bore
Said over a new grave: "So this was where you were going, you hasty one".My first Camino I fell into a dangerous trap of getting caught up in the competitive temptation. I stared in Ponferrada, and all the people I talked to and over heard were sharing that they walked 15, 17, 19, 22, 25 miles a day, YES someone said they were shooting to walk 25+ miles a day. I immediately started thinking "if they can do it, I can do it too". BAD IDEA, on my third day I had gone 38 miles and nearly succumbed to heat exhaustion. I wanted to give up and I hated the Camino at that time. After some intense soul searching, and prayer, I decided to go forward and only walk at my own pace. I ended up finishing my and really enjoyed my days on the Camino after making that decision.
You have to listen to your own body and not overdue it, especially when you are first starting. The guide book suggestions for stages are only that, suggestions. You can stop where and when you want, it's your Camino. An added bonus for not following the stages in the books, is that you get to stay in some awesome small villages, that some pilgrims never see because they are following the stages in the book religiously. Just my two cents
Have fun!
The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
I have been thinking about you all day, I hope I am not too late in replying. Do not forget how many other things you do at home. If you stay in a hostel and get up with everybody else the chances are that you will have walked 6miles by mid morning. If you have a rest and eat you could well be ready to do the same again. If not it doesn't matter. Last time I walked on my own and did as much as I could but ,in a sense, I missed the previous camino when I walked with a friend. She had blisters and trouble with her feet. Some days we walked very short distances. I really enjoyed stopping in some of the smaller unusual places.The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
Hi Karen,Hi Karen, I put up a Poll to see what distances people walk. Not that it really matters of course!
But it might be interesting
Distance Poll
I don't know if we're average or not, but when my wife and I walked the Camino Francés in 2013 (I celebrated my 70th birthday in O'Cebriero), we averaged 12 miles/20 km per day. Our longest day on that journey was about 18 miles/29 km. We're planning about the same average for this year's Camino Portugués, anticipating the longest day to be around 16 miles/25 km....What do most seniors average walking per day?
The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
NCIS is a popular American TV series. I believe NCIS stands for Naval Criminal Investigation Service. It's basically a crime-solving/detective series that deals with crimes that occur on or are somehow related to the US Navy bases or Naval personnel. Pure fiction, but is so popular it has spin-offs set in various locations around the U.S.What's NCIS?
The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended...
I turn 65 on April 19th while on my 3rd Camino! Happy travels, Tigger, you will be in good hands!I am a newbie like you.
I want to share a concept with you.
When I 'train' I go out and walk and walk, possibly with a coffee stop and definitely with a plan to either walk home or get myself home on a bus. I am usually out no longer than 3-4 hours and walk 15+ km.
I think that the circumstances of having ALL day to walk, having as many stops as I want, rests, meals, chats, scenery and historical stops AND the fact that if you don't walk a little bit further you won't have a bed or food, might change your way of both thinking and walking.
My point is that is it impossible to 'mock up' or represent the actual circumstance of the Camino 'at home' with the best will in the world. Instead of 'training' you will have real life, new fun, adventures excitement, encouragement and company from others and a wonderful sense of 'purpose'. Even if is all goes for sh!t, you won't die, and instead have a wonderful adventure. Imagine how you will laugh later at having slept under a tree in a field with a bull that you discover at dawn! I can't wait!
Don't fret!
I refuse to!
BTW I turn 65 on Wednesday 29th March and leave for my first Camino in less than 3 weeks..
When my wife and I walked the Camino Frances in 2015, we took the local bus a couple of times when one of us had sore knees, etc.. We were feeling pretty sheepish ("false pilgrims" as some people said) until we got on the bus and saw that nearly all the passengers were pilgrims. Many had sore feet, knees or hips, flus or colds, etc and others were simply making up time.
As most pilgrims will tell you, it's your own Camino so do what works for you!
Burn Camino!
... sad that they didn't realise they were in freedom country.....
Mystery solved. Thanks, jmcarp.NCIS is a popular American TV series. I believe NCIS stands for Naval Criminal Investigation Service. It's basically a crime-solving/detective series that deals with crimes that occur on or are somehow related to the US Navy bases or Naval personnel. Pure fiction, but is so popular it has spin-offs set in various locations around the U.S.
'People' should 'get over themselves' and walk a mile in those other people's shoes who might have a migraine, blisters,medical condition rearing its ugly head or a million other things about the human condition OR EVEN if they just can't be arsed to walk that particular day.We took taxis and buses a few times along the way - and yeah, filled with pilgrims. A lot of people are kind of hush-hush about it, but lots of people use themAnd yes, some people are judgemental about it, but I figure that we all have something to learn on the Camino and for some of us, it is how to ignore the judgmental folks.
Amen! I wish you a Buen Camino.Oh, my goodness! I never realized that my questions and concerns would elicit so many wonderful replies! Thank you all so very much for your inciteful responses. You had me in tears by the end. I feel like a part of the Camino family already! I wish I could meet each and every one of you and tell you how much by just responding to my concern meant to me, let alone how much you have inspired me to remember this is My Camino and no one can judge me except myself and my God. We start our Camino walking out of SJPP on May 13th and sure hope to meet some of you along the way.
Buen Camino!!
My wife and I (both mid-50's) are walkers/hikers but my wife is a "slow walker" and while we have crossed more than 1 country on foot, we found some of the longer days on the Camino to be a challenge. You can do 6 "effortlessly" now, but can you do 12+14+13+17+13... with a 12 to 16 pound backpack, day after day after day after day, up and down hills, on hard pavement and rocky paths?The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
I had that concern too however I have been "practicing" a lot. I have walked over 17 miles a day, 12 is now normal for me. I live in Florida and it's the heat that gets me. I can't walk between 10 am and 5 pm. It is just too hot But I get up at 5 am and walk til 10. That gives me 5 hours and at least 12 to 15 miles. Remember walking is ALL you do on the Camino. We are not working our jobs and walking before or after. I take breaks 5 minutes about every hour just to rest my feet a little. Have a snack and drink a lot of water. When you walk and talk the route goes fast. Before you know it you will be able to walk that distance and be proud of it.The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
Please do not concern yourself with a number. "Listen" to YOUR body. If you do not have enough time to complete your Camino due to an inability to walk certain distances, why not consider either doing your Camino in parts over a period of years OR take transportation. There is no shame in either of these, because this is YOUR Camino.The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
I am 68, walked my first when I was 64. I found the distances to be no great problem.Why, because I ignored them. I walked what I could and stopped when I got tired. Last year because of the extreme heat I thought I would avoid by walking in September, there were days I walked around 8/10 kms, between 5 and 6 miles. Later when the heat dropped I was walking 18 to 22 Kms, 12 to 14 miles. By the time you get a couple of weeks into your camino, you will find you are able to walk further than you thought. BTW, I do very little training, maybe 5km three times a week. How many miles seniors walk daily I wouldn't knowThe 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
'People' should 'get over themselves' and walk a mile in those other people's shoes who might have a migraine, blisters,medical condition rearing its ugly head or a million other things about the human condition OR EVEN if they just can't be arsed to walk that particular day.
Do you know what? It is no-one else's business!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am 67 and not particularly fit, but i can manage around 20 miles, but it does take all day, but do what you can manage, there are no rules to how far you have to walk, as long as you end up with accommodation every night, whether that be an hotel, Hostal or Albergue. the most important is to prepare well and stretch yourself practicingThe 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
Karen.. I'm also starting on May 12th (2017). I'm starting from St. Jean.. perhaps we'll meet! I'll be the 62 year old female.. from St. LouisThank you, Joe, for your kind reply. I do hope to be able to increase the distance gradually like you mentioned. The distances noted in the books are so daunting!
It really, really doesn't matter how many kms you do per day. Find a rhythm that suits you and stick to it, you'll enjoy our wonderful Camino so much more.The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
I am 67 and not particularly fit, but i can manage around 20 miles, but it does take all day, but do what you can manage, there are no rules to how far you have to walk, as long as you end up with accommodation every night, whether that be an hotel, Hostal or Albergue. the most important is to prepare well and stretch yourself practicing
I am 61 and I have Parkinsons, and I completed the Camino in 6 weeks no great hardship, so you would have no problem doing the same. It's not a race, just do what you feel is good for you, everyones Camino is different, that's one off the jjoys of it, buen caminoThe 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
Pat, my husband and I are from Lafayette, Colorado. Where are you from?To me, it is the journey, not the destination mantra. I walked the first time totally stressed on distances and exhausted myself. My Dad who is 85 remineded me that I was supposed to be having fun. That, to me, meant taking care of my body, but also having time and energy to learn and absorb the culture of everyone around me. To me, the most amazing people on the Camino were the people who ran the albergues and hostels as well as the shop owners and restaurateurs who fed us and supplied cafe con leche
Near the end, I adjusted my pace and really felt as though I found my pace. I had to decide not to do it all, but do whatever I chose to do I did well.
I am going again this fall. I hope not to embrace the 22/28 day walk to get to Santiago. I love sunrises, the dew on spiderwebs and cafe con leche. I hope I have learned my lesson. I am a snail. I will let you know if I succeeded. Probably not, but again, life is a journey, let us see where it goes.
To you, Karen, Buen Camino. Have fun.
Pat, my husband and I are from Lafayette, Colorado. Where are you from?
Horse and buggy ride??? I am checking that box. What fun, and not something I could do at home.took 47 days on purpose. Most all the books we read and guides we followed have a majority doing 28-33 days. The books showing many blowing right through big cities and missing the culture and architecture and food of these great cities. Many saying they had to catch a flight or only had 4 weeks - fine - my suggestion would be to go at your pace, not the guides, and if you come up short, go back at another time and finish. Not much sense to me in running a race to ensure you get a Compsostela, when in doing so you miss the memories of an enjoyable walk, at your own pace, and investigate the culture. IMHO, of course. We followed guides mainly to not stay in their end-of-day cities and villages. Zero days every week in Pamplona Burgos, Leon Villafranca del Bierzo and Santiago... not much rest on those days, it was all wandering around the city. Some of our best days were the 10km days. There's one spot that almost you to do a 19 km walk with very little services along the way (Carrion de los Condes to Calzadilla de la Cueza) but we took the horse and buggy ride on the Camino instead - never saw it as a cheat - it was another aspect of the Pilgrimage that allowed us to enjoy it. Purists will scoff, but I'm guessing Pilgrims of old caught rides quite often. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
Pat, my husband and I are from Lafayette, Colorado. Where are you from?
Colorado Springs! We have the obstacle af Denver between us.
One of the advantages we have being "high altitude " people is we have more lung capacity.
Do the Manitou Incline THEN let us know about lung capacityThat will whip legs and lungs into shape, but it is pure evil.
Too right! The first time, I did it with a fully loaded backpack. Totally scary. Two women from the Air Force Academy helped me by hauling my backpack up. I was far more cautious the next time and thereafter. I built up.
The Incline is a good prep though.
In your judgement, doing the Barr Trail, how much do you hike to prep?
Karen don't pay close attention to the books they are merely suggestions. As Joe above stated, you will be amazed at how your body adjusts! I am 67 and discovered that my entire body ached by the second day, I swear I was ready to quit! But oddly enough on the third morning the pains were significantly subsiding. 20 kilometers (12 miles) are about my average. Get tired, be nice to yourself quite early. Other days you walk 20 kilometers and wonder how you got there so fast! Enjoy!Thank you, Joe, for your kind reply. I do hope to be able to increase the distance gradually like you mentioned. The distances noted in the books are so daunting!
The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
Many pilgrims make the mistake of thinking there is something special about the endpoints of the stages in their guidebook. But really, another guidebook might be different. PLUS, if you are in the minority that does not treat the guidebook stages as daily goals, you might find yourself stopping at an albergue that still has a bottom bunk available.The distances noted in the books are so daunting!
The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
Are you comfortable walking for an hour? For two or three? It is not as terrifying to walk five hours as walking 20 kilometre...
And try taking a small break every hour, sit down and take your shoes off.
For me these two tricks make walking long distances quite comfortable
I enjoyed NCIS and Monk and so on. And yet, I am still breathing after eight years without TV. And, everyone's different, but I can say that although it was far from pleasant, I survived 66 kilometers one day at age 62. But 20-30 or less is more typical. I stop for coffee in every village, stop to read any signs with geographical or tourist info, stop to take pictures, try out most of the benches I see, …Stream [NCIS] onto your mobile phone.
I am a newbie like you.
I want to share a concept with you.
When I 'train' I go out and walk and walk, possibly with a coffee stop and definitely with a plan to either walk home or get myself home on a bus. I am usually out no longer than 3-4 hours and walk 15+ km.
I think that the circumstances of having ALL day to walk, having as many stops as I want, rests, meals, chats, scenery and historical stops AND the fact that if you don't walk a little bit further you won't have a bed or food, might change your way of both thinking and walking.
My point is that is it impossible to 'mock up' or represent the actual circumstance of the Camino 'at home' with the best will in the world. Instead of 'training' you will have real life, new fun, adventures excitement, encouragement and company from others and a wonderful sense of 'purpose'. Even if is all goes for sh!t, you won't die, and instead have a wonderful adventure. Imagine how you will laugh later at having slept under a tree in a field with a bull that you discover at dawn! I can't wait!
Don't fret!
I refuse to!
BTW I turn 65 on Wednesday 29th March and leave for my first Camino in less than 3 weeks..
I was 67 when I walked the CF last spring. I surprised myself with how readily my body acclimated to walking distances. I do live in mountains, so that might make a difference. But I walked for 3 weeks with a flatlander who was 73, not the most fit athlete along the Camino, and she did well too with more distance than she'd thought she could do.
I set my schedule for my first few days with less mileage. I would recommend doing that, and just easing your way into walking. You sound like you are fit enough to flow into more miles, but if you are not, do not despair. There are lots of people who do 6 - 10 miles a day, and that is fine.
Ultreia!
The 2 books I have that show the stages recommended to walk each day have some distances that I can't imagine I could possibley make. I know that they are just suggestions, but how hard is it to walk up to 18 miles a day? I do 6 effortlessly now, but am tired after that. I am 62 years young and 5'1". In pretty good shape, spending most days at work on my feet. Am training for our May 12th start. What do most seniors average walking per day?
Hi Karen,
What a wonderful adventure you are embarking on! The first time I walked, it was important for me to walk the whole distance. I had to make adjustments to meet that goal. I am 61 now and the back then, I was 58. My Father, who just died a month or so ago gave me great advice back then ....”Have Fun”. Looking back, I did have fun, I decided to ask myself each day..”Am I having fun?” Depending on the answer, I made adjustments or not.
A couple of years ago, I decided wanted to walk again, but change things out and take my time to meet locals, talk to people, enjoy the everything around me. In 2017, I walked again with that in mind. It was as wonderful as the first time. I was only able to go from St Jean to Leon, but that is okay, I had a different goal and.....I have next year. I will finish The Camino Frances with the memories of my Father reminding me to “Have Fun”
Long story short, have fun. Set a goal, walk what you can, make adjustments. Meet people. Enjoy. Much of the fun will be the hard work and satisfaction of what you accomplish as well as the people you meet. It is a special road you are choosing to travel. It is good.
Buen Camino
This sounds great! But I have limited days! which is pushing me into more mileage per day! I am very anxious about this. I am training and I am fit. But I feel nervous about the pressure of my limited days to walk--and the mileage I "need" to cover each day. Any and all advice is SO welcome!))))
How many days do you have? I would suggest starting closer to Santiago if you are worried.This sounds great! But I have limited days! which is pushing me into more mileage per day! I am very anxious about this. I am training and I am fit. But I feel nervous about the pressure of my limited days to walk--and the mileage I "need" to cover each day. Any and all advice is SO welcome!))))
This is excellent advice.Hi Karen,
What a wonderful adventure you are embarking on! The first time I walked, it was important for me to walk the whole distance. I had to make adjustments to meet that goal. I am 61 now and the back then, I was 58. My Father, who just died a month or so ago gave me great advice back then ....”Have Fun”. Looking back, I did have fun, I decided to ask myself each day..”Am I having fun?” Depending on the answer, I made adjustments or not.
A couple of years ago, I decided wanted to walk again, but change things out and take my time to meet locals, talk to people, enjoy the everything around me. In 2017, I walked again with that in mind. It was as wonderful as the first time. I was only able to go from St Jean to Leon, but that is okay, I had a different goal and.....I have next year. I will finish The Camino Frances with the memories of my Father reminding me to “Have Fun”
Long story short, have fun. Set a goal, walk what you can, make adjustments. Meet people. Enjoy. Much of the fun will be the hard work and satisfaction of what you accomplish as well as the people you meet. It is a special road you are choosing to travel. It is good.
Buen Camino
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