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If you love the shoes, get summer gaiters to go over them and your stone problem will be solved.Hi @C clearly , similar pattern here.
Working from home gave me the advantage that I can use the time I previously spent commuting to go for a walk near my place, so I've added daily 2-3km walks into my routine. They are not enough to sort all gear, but help break shoes and keep me fit.
On weekends with sunny or cloudy weather, I go for longer walks in different types of paths. Usually around 15km. As you said, I use my exact camino gear, from sunglasses and full backpack down to bra and underwear. I really don´t want to find on the route that anything is too tight, pinching or rolling.
Yesterday I went on a 20km walk, mild weather. It was great, but I had the horrible surprise that my current runners let LOTS of pebbles in. In shorter walks I'd get the eventual pebble, but the longer walk showed me that it was too much - I was stopping every 40min-1h to remove those micro demons from my shoes. In the shorter walks, I was loving the runners because they were so breathable! Only found out the down side of it in a longer walk in a mountain... Oh, well, time to find something else and break them.
You are completely right and that's a good idea. My "find something else" comment should not be restricted to shoes - gaiters can be a good option, I just need to find some tiny ones and train with themIf you love the shoes, get summer gaiters to go over them and your stone problem will be solved.
I have some very tiny ones made by Outdoor Research. They were great on an autumn Camino in the interior Portugués in 2019, and I wore them plenty this past summer on the rail bed I frequent. It’s lovely but is loaded with itty-bitty stones that can travel right down my socks!!! Gaiters solved the issue.You are completely right and that's a good idea. My "find something else" comment should not be restricted to shoes - gaiters can be a good option, I just need to find some tiny ones and train with them
Yes! Washing clothes! I take soap berries with me. they work a charm, and have no significant weight because they are dry husks. I usually carry 9, using 3 berries for 2 weeks at a time.After I had chosen my footwear I found it very important to walk 10 miles/16 km on at least 3 consecutive days to see how my feet did with that amount of walking day after day. I've met plenty of people who never had blister problems doing long hikes at home, but they hadn't done them in several consecutive days.
I'm probably lucky because I don't train much with a full pack, but I've never had trouble carrying it, even though the Camino was my first ever backpacking experience.
I do agree that it's important to try out all your gear before you go - and that goes for things like shampoo and how you're going to wash your clothes.
Hi @C clearly , similar pattern here.
Working from home gave me the advantage that I can use the time I previously spent commuting to go for a walk near my place, so I've added daily 2-3km walks into my routine. They are not enough to sort all gear, but help break shoes and keep me fit.
On weekends with sunny or cloudy weather, I go for longer walks in different types of paths. Usually around 15km. As you said, I use my exact camino gear, from sunglasses and full backpack down to bra and underwear. I really don´t want to find on the route that anything is too tight, pinching or rolling.
Yesterday I went on a 20km walk, mild weather. It was great, but I had the horrible surprise that my current runners let LOTS of pebbles in. In shorter walks I'd get the eventual pebble, but the longer walk showed me that it was too much - I was stopping every 40min-1h to remove those micro demons from my shoes. In the shorter walks, I was loving the runners because they were so breathable! Only found out the down side of it in a longer walk in a mountain... Oh, well, time to find something else and break them.
Trail gaiters may work for you. Costs less than new shoes.Hi @C clearly , similar pattern here.
Working from home gave me the advantage that I can use the time I previously spent commuting to go for a walk near my place, so I've added daily 2-3km walks into my routine. They are not enough to sort all gear, but help break shoes and keep me fit.
On weekends with sunny or cloudy weather, I go for longer walks in different types of paths. Usually around 15km. As you said, I use my exact camino gear, from sunglasses and full backpack down to bra and underwear. I really don´t want to find on the route that anything is too tight, pinching or rolling.
Yesterday I went on a 20km walk, mild weather. It was great, but I had the horrible surprise that my current runners let LOTS of pebbles in. In shorter walks I'd get the eventual pebble, but the longer walk showed me that it was too much - I was stopping every 40min-1h to remove those micro demons from my shoes. In the shorter walks, I was loving the runners because they were so breathable! Only found out the down side of it in a longer walk in a mountain... Oh, well, time to find something else and break them.
I am retired and walk every day, usually about 4k. When I was training for Camino I upped that to 8k and some days to 12k, I only walked 2 days with a full pack before leaving and that was to get the packing and adjustments right. I always felt that there was no point in walking your camino before walking your camino, too much risk of injury before you actually leave.
My first camino I trained line crazy and still had problems going up that hill. Second time I walked the CF I started in Le Puy so it was a piece of cake.Interesting that you can start slowly and, by implication, easily. If you start from SJPD on the second day of easy walking you will face a day of almost constant climbing. Not easy for many from flat areas the world. So either you need to train, to have goodish aerobic fitness or start from somewhere else.
Hi EveryoneEverybody takes a different approach to their personal routines. What are yours?
What are soap berries? Thanks.Yes! Washing clothes! I take soap berries with me. they work a charm, and have no significant weight because they are dry husks. I usually carry 9, using 3 berries for 2 weeks at a time.
They are also called soap nuts. I haven't used them myself, but they sound interesting.What are soap berries? Thanks.
Excellent advice! I was trained this way when I did fundraising marathons in the states and knowing how everything performs at mile two and mile 25 made my ability to complete in comfort possible.Since many people are seriously hoping for a walk in 2021, I'm starting this thread on training for the Camino.
Walking is almost always very good for you, whether or not you get to Spain, so there is every reason to build it into your life style. Now. But walking is slow - typically 3-6 km/h - so it can be hard to find the time for it. That's why I suggest setting goals that are realistic for your circumstances.
I am 72 and moderately fit. My target is to walk 40-50 km/week all year, and perhaps increase to 75 km about 6 weeks before a Camino, and ease off for the last week. Who has time for more? You should toss in an occasional day with 25 km, then perhaps 2 days in a row at 25 km in order to see how you do, but not every day. Similar you might add in a hill or two. But truthfully, I don't, and I just go up the hills in Spain very very slowly.
A few months of training gives you the chance to test and perfect your foot wear - that would be a separate thread. But for me, training is needed in part to sort out my shoes, socks, and adjustments to my custom orthotics. They are quite important to my walking comfort.
A couple of months before your Camino, do a 25-km day with your full backpack and all your exact planned walking clothes - on a clear day and on a rainy day. That's important because you'll find that the particular belt buckle catches on your pack strap, or your sun hat keeps brushing against the top of your pack, or rain drips from your hood onto your glasses, or your phone is too hard to get out of your pocket quickly, or your water bottle is inaccessible, etc. If you don't discover those annoyances at home, you will discover them by day 2 on the camino when it is harder to fix them.
Your body needs to be comfortable walking for hours, several days in a row, and you want the stamina to walk 25 km or so without needing bed rest the next day. Keep walking so that it feels completely natural, but don't over train.
Everybody takes a different approach to their personal routines. What are yours?
Hello- I have not yet walked and my comment in the other thread spurred this new one. I am not physically fit, age 53, so this whole thing is new to me. I've never walked distance, I've never carried a backpack... This time last year, I could barely do 2 miles before my feet collapsed. By the summer I was up to 4, now I am at 7. I can go 10-13 if I have to but I can't walk the next day. I want to get to 12 in a day before I book my trip. I will only have a week to walk my camino, so it is important to me that I can do 12 miles/20km a day for 6 days in a row to complete the walk. Right now I walk in the park 3 of 5 work day mornings for 3miles/5km a day. On the weekends, I do longer walks and about once a month I push myself to see what distance I can accomplish without hobbling back to the parking lot. All told, I walk about 35-40km a week in the park. I haven't added on the backpack yet. My biggest hurdle is that my feet and legs simply aren't strong enough yet to go longer distances. My feet will just quit while the rest of me is good to go. I switched from trail runners to boots after reading that beginners and heavier people (I am both) do better with a more structured shoe.
@BookGirl305 Marbe2 makes a very good point. Think about getting a trainer. After your mid-twenties building up fitness gets more difficult and time consuming. When you train up from "nothing" in your fifties the whole thing will take time. Lots of time. Months, maybe years. And there is some real danger to hurt yourself if you do to much. So getting some professional help might be a good option to figure out a program to slowly but steadily build up to some level you can rely on.Might, I suggest, working with a good trainer for a couple of sessions to access-your strengths and weaknesses and tailor a program that will assist you in strengthening your core and legs. Heavier shoes may provide more support but they also contribute signicantly to fatigue. I forget where I read this
One extra Lb on your foot is like 5lbs in your backpack.....There are tradeoffs
Might I suggest that you see a podiatrist about your feet? Many camino walkers have foot problems of one sort or another, most of which can be treated. A podiatrist can advise you on your foot problems, on the right type of footwear for you, and can fit you for made-to-measure orthotics, if you need them. Good luck.My biggest hurdle is that my feet and legs simply aren't strong enough yet to go longer distances. My feet will just quit
Oh oh. You need to check this out further. There is a lot to consider in selecting the right shoes for your feet and body. Be careful not to take a generalized rule of thumb as the solution for your feet.my feet collapsed... My feet will just quit while the rest of me is good to go. I switched from trail runners to boots after reading that beginners and heavier people (I am both) do better with a more structured shoe.
I agree 100%. Without changes to my orthotics, every year or so to help my feet, I don't think I would be walking Caminos anymore.Might I suggest that you see a podiatrist about your feet? Many camino walkers have foot problems of one sort or another, most of which can be treated. A podiatrist can advise you on your foot problems, on the right type of footwear for you, and can fit you for made-to-measure orthotics, if you need them. Good luck.
I think that most of us think of "training" as getting to a level of fitness which will allow us to walk 10 - 15 miles a day without injury or being completely miserable. And you are right, that you do keep developing more fitness as you go on the Camino.I believe you can’t train to walk a Camino, for they are all different. The best we can hope to do is to be in a condition tat allows to walk the first few days without stress or injury, then walk into more fitness.
They are dried fruit from saponins in the same family as Sycamores and Lychees. You can purchase them via Amazon, or at a local health food store.... you toss 43-4 of the dried berries into the laundry tub in a little canvas bag... and they produce the soap that cleans your clothes. I love them. They are very effective, and completely unscented. I think the 9 I take on a camino weigh less than 1 oz with their little bag.What are soap berries? Thanks.
When I first started walking longer distances I was getting sore feet after about an hour. At the time I just thought that this was a normal part of getting fit...... My feet will just quit while the rest of me is good to go.
I find that the lighter the weight of the shoe, the better I walk. I now rarely walk in hiking boots unless I am very sure that my hike will be in very muddy conditions. Again, your experience may vary.I switched from trail runners to boots after reading that beginners and heavier people (I am both) do better with a more structured shoe.
That's quite a challenge! It takes me almost 5.5 to get in 10,000 steps. So, I'd have to walk over 50 miles to reach 100,000 steps! According to my Fitbit, the most steps that I've done in a day was in the 50,000's.In February I will attempting a 100,000 step day (within 24 hours). I have been told this goal will be not only a physical challenge, but a mental one as well.
It's even longer to swim from Aotearoa / New Zealand. My route is across the Ditch then below the Great Bight and the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope and at Gibraltar divert to whichever port is closest to my start point. All the while towing a waterproof floating device with my pack and food for the journey. And it is part of my final training effort.It is a long way to Europe from Australia,
I Vve been there ... the most incredibly beautiful countryIt's even longer to swim from Aotearoa / New Zealand. My route is across the Ditch then below the Great Bight and the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope and at Gibraltar divert to whichever port is closest to my start point. All the while towing a waterproof floating device with my pack and food for the journey. And it is part of my final training effort.
At least, that's what I told those on Camino across France and Spain when they realised how far I lived from their home. Then I would wait for the smile in their eyes, and have a smile of understanding with one another.
Kia kaha (take care, be strong)
This is a great thread. I am glad someone started it and I stumbled upon it.
It's great to see so many varied ideas from individuals of all ages and experience levels. I utilize many of these and find as I am getting older I have to "adjust" my training to match my fitness level(s).
One of the ways I have been training during these Covid times and the not knowing of if and/or when I will be going to Spain again is by short term goal setting workouts. Some of these goals have been to complete a course in a certain amount of time and improving on that time 4 times within the following month. Another goal I recently set is to walk 25,000 steps per day for 7 straight days. This was interesting and I found when I was done I had also lost 6 pounds of body weight at the same time.
In February I will attempting a 100,000 step day (within 24 hours). I have been told this goal will be not only a physical challenge, but a mental one as well.
I have always been inclined to accept "challenges" in my life, from climbing/summiting some of the highest mountains in the world to accomplishing 100,000 push ups in a year.
Now, in Covid times enduring lock ups and shut downs with only daily walks available I try to get out as often as possible for as long as possible, all the while remaining within current acceptable social norms. I have done the math and am aware of the potential distance to be accomplished. I acknowledge this will be a challenge, but am willing to attempt it all the while enjoying the beauty of the route which I have chosen.
Stay tuned...
That's it in a nutshell!Walk.
Walk further.
Walk with your backpack.
Walk the Camino.
Or start in Le Puy en Velay, as we did. By the time you arrive at the Pyrenees you are well-trained and the walk up is a piece of cake.Interesting that you can start slowly and, by implication, easily. If you start from SJPD on the second day of easy walking you will face a day of almost constant climbing. Not easy for many from flat areas the world. So either you need to train, to have goodish aerobic fitness or start from somewhere else.
Hi C,Everybody takes a different approach to their personal routines. What are yours?
Leki on Amazon. A bit hard to find all the specs I wanted...shock absorption, cork handle, quick release, but they exist. Just PACK them or they will get take at US airport. You can also google TSA and find the app that allows you to bid on procured gear like knives, trekking poles and bid...last I checked nice poles in a group of 5 for about $40-50 but you have to pick up in person.Off topic a bit, but where do you get your hiking poles? I have been training with paint brush extender poles; they are heavier and help me condition and train for handling the lighter poles. In Nepal and Peru, I bought poles at stores that collect and sell the poles left behind by trekkers. Is this possible in Madrid, Santiago, Pamplona, etc.
Thanks, getting excited about renewing the trekking life!
Hi Trvldad1:Off topic a bit, but where do you get your hiking poles? I have been training with paint brush extender poles; they are heavier and help me condition and train for handling the lighter poles. In Nepal and Peru, I bought poles at stores that collect and sell the poles left behind by trekkers. Is this possible in Madrid, Santiago, Pamplona, etc.
Thanks, getting excited about renewing the trekking life!
Hi C, my Camino started late April 2019. I started training in January, thought I waked (treadmill) as part of my daily routine. I trained 6-8 km daily and Sunday went to the beach and walked 12-14 km Trained with my camino shoes, socks and clothes since January and with my pack 8kg (2 dumbbells wrapped in towels) started first day of March. I live in Tampico (mexican gulf coast), so there are no mountains, had to find streets with some inclination...so when I got to SJ I was nervous but felt secure at the same time. Could not cross the Pirinees because there were storms and there were pilgrims rescues, so the office told me it was not safe. Had to start in Roncesvalles...I had no blisters, no cramps, al most no pain and made 20-28 km per day. Had only 3 rainy days, very rainy but it felt good to be under the rain. I haven’t stopped walking because I am ready to pack my things when ever Spain opens, as I am sure most of us are.Since many people are seriously hoping for a walk in 2021, I'm starting this thread on training for the Camino.
Walking is almost always very good for you, whether or not you get to Spain, so there is every reason to build it into your life style. Now. But walking is slow - typically 3-6 km/h - so it can be hard to find the time for it. That's why I suggest setting goals that are realistic for your circumstances.
I am 72 and moderately fit. My target is to walk 40-50 km/week all year, and perhaps increase to 75 km about 6 weeks before a Camino, and ease off for the last week. Who has time for more? You should toss in an occasional day with 25 km, then perhaps 2 days in a row at 25 km in order to see how you do, but not every day. Similar you might add in a hill or two. But truthfully, I don't, and I just go up the hills in Spain very very slowly.
A few months of training gives you the chance to test and perfect your foot wear - that would be a separate thread. But for me, training is needed in part to sort out my shoes, socks, and adjustments to my custom orthotics. They are quite important to my walking comfort.
A couple of months before your Camino, do a 25-km day with your full backpack and all your exact planned walking clothes - on a clear day and on a rainy day. That's important because you'll find that the particular belt buckle catches on your pack strap, or your sun hat keeps brushing against the top of your pack, or rain drips from your hood onto your glasses, or your phone is too hard to get out of your pocket quickly, or your water bottle is inaccessible, etc. If you don't discover those annoyances at home, you will discover them by day 2 on the camino when it is harder to fix them.
Your body needs to be comfortable walking for hours, several days in a row, and you want the stamina to walk 25 km or so without needing bed rest the next day. Keep walking so that it feels completely natural, but don't over train.
Everybody takes a different approach to their personal routines. What are yours?
Probably some of the best advice I've read on this forum; especially with regard to testing all your gear on both a dry day and a rainy day before doing your Camino.Since many people are seriously hoping for a walk in 2021, I'm starting this thread on training for the Camino.
Walking is almost always very good for you, whether or not you get to Spain, so there is every reason to build it into your life style. Now. But walking is slow - typically 3-6 km/h - so it can be hard to find the time for it. That's why I suggest setting goals that are realistic for your circumstances.
I am 72 and moderately fit. My target is to walk 40-50 km/week all year, and perhaps increase to 75 km about 6 weeks before a Camino, and ease off for the last week. Who has time for more? You should toss in an occasional day with 25 km, then perhaps 2 days in a row at 25 km in order to see how you do, but not every day. Similar you might add in a hill or two. But truthfully, I don't, and I just go up the hills in Spain very very slowly.
A few months of training gives you the chance to test and perfect your foot wear - that would be a separate thread. But for me, training is needed in part to sort out my shoes, socks, and adjustments to my custom orthotics. They are quite important to my walking comfort.
A couple of months before your Camino, do a 25-km day with your full backpack and all your exact planned walking clothes - on a clear day and on a rainy day. That's important because you'll find that the particular belt buckle catches on your pack strap, or your sun hat keeps brushing against the top of your pack, or rain drips from your hood onto your glasses, or your phone is too hard to get out of your pocket quickly, or your water bottle is inaccessible, etc. If you don't discover those annoyances at home, you will discover them by day 2 on the camino when it is harder to fix them.
Your body needs to be comfortable walking for hours, several days in a row, and you want the stamina to walk 25 km or so without needing bed rest the next day. Keep walking so that it feels completely natural, but don't over train.
Everybody takes a different approach to their personal routines. What are yours?
Hi C,
Living in flat Florida is tough to train for the variable terrain in Spain. So my training adaptation is to train every day about 10km with the following additions ...
1) This one helps so there are no surprises when you add the backpack that first day at the starting point :
Henkelion Weighted Vest Weight Vest for Men Women Kids Weights Included, Body Weight Vests Adjustable for Running, Training Workout, Jogging, Walking - Black - 12 Lbs
2) I hate the sound of the walking poles when am out there but I have learned that they are great for training. Look up Nordic walking in youtube and add it to your schedule. I added this rubber thingy's to my poles :
Hiking Pole Trekking Pole Replacement Tips for Hiking Poles-6pcs
No need for fancy nordic poles. The speed with the added weight is unbelievable ...
After a long walk those two simple additions leave me feeling like I have really trained for a day in the camino. After a real hard workout in hot humid Florida I put up the poles and go dance some Argentinian tango. happiness ;--)
Here are the poles I used... They worked great and where $22!!!Off topic a bit, but where do you get your hiking poles? I have been training with paint brush extender poles; they are heavier and help me condition and train for handling the lighter poles. In Nepal and Peru, I bought poles at stores that collect and sell the poles left behind by trekkers. Is this possible in Madrid, Santiago, Pamplona, etc.
Thanks, getting excited about renewing the trekking life!
Very good idea ! True that I began from Pamplona because I was afraid of the second day beginning from SJPP... and I had no idea really of what I was capable of!Or start in Le Puy en Velay, as we did. By the time you arrive at the Pyrenees you are well-trained and the walk up is a piece of cake.
You have a good plan here! There’s unfortunately a bit of mythology out there that not training at all is a good approach. Many of these folks do make it fine but many others need to quit during the first week. My preparation before 2 Caminos was to spend a month in Oaxaca Mexico, which is at 5500 ft and to walk up 400 steps each day to a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the city and to continue for another hour up there on a trail that very much mimics the Camino. I find that as good preparation mentally, physically, and spiritually. I start out very slowly but build up stamina during that month.Since many people are seriously hoping for a walk in 2021, I'm starting this thread on training for the Camino.
Walking is almost always very good for you, whether or not you get to Spain, so there is every reason to build it into your life style. Now. But walking is slow - typically 3-6 km/h - so it can be hard to find the time for it. That's why I suggest setting goals that are realistic for your circumstances.
I am 72 and moderately fit. My target is to walk 40-50 km/week all year, and perhaps increase to 75 km about 6 weeks before a Camino, and ease off for the last week. Who has time for more? You should toss in an occasional day with 25 km, then perhaps 2 days in a row at 25 km in order to see how you do, but not every day. Similar you might add in a hill or two. But truthfully, I don't, and I just go up the hills in Spain very very slowly.
A few months of training gives you the chance to test and perfect your foot wear - that would be a separate thread. But for me, training is needed in part to sort out my shoes, socks, and adjustments to my custom orthotics. They are quite important to my walking comfort.
A couple of months before your Camino, do a 25-km day with your full backpack and all your exact planned walking clothes - on a clear day and on a rainy day. That's important because you'll find that the particular belt buckle catches on your pack strap, or your sun hat keeps brushing against the top of your pack, or rain drips from your hood onto your glasses, or your phone is too hard to get out of your pocket quickly, or your water bottle is inaccessible, etc. If you don't discover those annoyances at home, you will discover them by day 2 on the camino when it is harder to fix them.
Your body needs to be comfortable walking for hours, several days in a row, and you want the stamina to walk 25 km or so without needing bed rest the next day. Keep walking so that it feels completely natural, but don't over train.
Everybody takes a different approach to their personal routines. What are yours?
I loved hiking at Halls Gap!!!!!Hi C clearly, it really is hard to do the training especially when working. We walk in winter so start training 6 months prior in our Australian winter, short walks first, maybe 5km, increasing to 10-15km on the weekends - it takes up a huge part of the day. We then start doing smaller walks of an evening with our empty backpacks - the only weight is our water bottles and picnic lunch. Pretty quickly we start putting our gear in our packs and walk 10 and then 15km and then have a full pack. We generally end up 20km in day but usually only two days in a row.
During the week we aim for shorter walks. We always train in our camino gear. Our average training walk is around 15km.
We get our shoes part way through training and walk very short distances and buid up - our week-day walking training)
Our go-paths are pretty flat but we do try and seek out hills. For the Aussies - Hanging Rock and Halls Gap are good training spots for walking up Roncesvalles!
Its not perfect, we always wish we had done a bit more but it is about all we can manage.
Also - we walk with our children and while the like walking the camino they despise, absolutely despise training. Partly because its boring and partly because it gets really hot (30+ deg C). For our next camino, my husband and I will do more training than them - win/win, they get out of training and then we have half a chance keeping up with them when we walk or next camino hahaha!
I Nordic walked my Camino and found it very beneficial. It really helped me going uphill and saved my knees on the downhill. I ended up teaching a few pilgrims how to Nordic walk while on the Camino. Since most/many people on the Camino have hiking poles... why not Nordic walk with them??
Where can you buy soap berries? I've never heard of that before! I want to try!Yes! Washing clothes! I take soap berries with me. they work a charm, and have no significant weight because they are dry husks. I usually carry 9, using 3 berries for 2 weeks at a time.
I think that they are more commonly called soap berries. You can find them on Amazon and many other places. I did read one site that said that they need hot or warm water to activate them - so that could be an issue on the Camino since many laundry sinks only have cold water.Where can you buy soap berries? I've never heard of that before! I want to try!
Most health food stores have them; some grocery stores (places like Goodness Me! Or Farm Boy in Ontario), and for those who can’t get out: Amazon.Where can you buy soap berries? I've never heard of that before! I want to try!
One could, I suppose, use a kettle in many of the albergues to warm the soap berries... or even just a bit of warm water from one’s shower put into a traveling flask with the husks for a bit.I think that they are more commonly called soap berries. You can find them on Amazon and many other places. I did read one site that said that they need hot or warm water to activate them - so that could be an issue on the Camino since many laundry sinks only have cold water.
"Can I use loose soapnuts to hand wash clothes?
Yes, of course! Just add a handful of crushed shells into a washing tub together with the items you need to wash. Run hot water over them, or if you prefer to use cold water, make sure you soak your soapnuts in a cup of boiling water before pouring both the liquid and the shells into the tub. This laundry system is particularly recommended for delicate fabrics, such as silk and wool, or garments that would release dye in the washing machine and therefore need to be washed separately."
Above quote from this site:
A GUIDE TO SOAPNUTS: WHAT ARE SOAP NUTS AND HOW TO USE THEM
A guide to discover what soapnuts are, why they are eco-friendly and an ultimate guide of the best soapnut diy recipes to use at home, for beauty and laundry.earthbits.com
This is SO good, thank you!Since many people are seriously hoping for a walk in 2021, I'm starting this thread on training for the Camino.
Walking is almost always very good for you, whether or not you get to Spain, so there is every reason to build it into your life style. Now. But walking is slow - typically 3-6 km/h - so it can be hard to find the time for it. That's why I suggest setting goals that are realistic for your circumstances.
I am 72 and moderately fit. My target is to walk 40-50 km/week all year, and perhaps increase to 75 km about 6 weeks before a Camino, and ease off for the last week. Who has time for more? You should toss in an occasional day with 25 km, then perhaps 2 days in a row at 25 km in order to see how you do, but not every day. Similar you might add in a hill or two. But truthfully, I don't, and I just go up the hills in Spain very very slowly.
A few months of training gives you the chance to test and perfect your foot wear - that would be a separate thread. But for me, training is needed in part to sort out my shoes, socks, and adjustments to my custom orthotics. They are quite important to my walking comfort.
A couple of months before your Camino, do a 25-km day with your full backpack and all your exact planned walking clothes - on a clear day and on a rainy day. That's important because you'll find that the particular belt buckle catches on your pack strap, or your sun hat keeps brushing against the top of your pack, or rain drips from your hood onto your glasses, or your phone is too hard to get out of your pocket quickly, or your water bottle is inaccessible, etc. If you don't discover those annoyances at home, you will discover them by day 2 on the camino when it is harder to fix them.
Your body needs to be comfortable walking for hours, several days in a row, and you want the stamina to walk 25 km or so without needing bed rest the next day. Keep walking so that it feels completely natural, but don't over train.
Everybody takes a different approach to their personal routines. What are yours?
The big difference is nordic walking involves a very intentional push backwards with your hiking pole which propels the hips forward. If you are doing it correctly, you will feel the burn in your arms/shoulders when you first start nordic walking. After a while this goes away as your muscles strengthen.I've watched a few videos on Nordic walking, and I'm obviously a bit stupid
The motion looks just the same as 'normal' hiking pole use, but with the poles set a bit longer and the arms extending forwards a bit more.
Or is there something else I'm missing?
Gosh this is really helpful.. thank you so much for sharing. I am approaching my 6oth and was intending on walking the CF this Sept to celebrate that. It wont be happening now but hopefully 2022. My issue is.. and I was going to ask about this further down the track but feel it could be helpful to know now... is that I have a very dodgy right knee which is now affecting my right hip. I rather suspect a new knee is in order ( following MRI 7years ago ). Are there folk who have walked with a knee replacement? And if so did it make the walk arduous or was it totally fine? Thanks in anticipation!Since many people are seriously hoping for a walk in 2021, I'm starting this thread on training for the Camino.
Walking is almost always very good for you, whether or not you get to Spain, so there is every reason to build it into your life style. Now. But walking is slow - typically 3-6 km/h - so it can be hard to find the time for it. That's why I suggest setting goals that are realistic for your circumstances.
I am 72 and moderately fit. My target is to walk 40-50 km/week all year, and perhaps increase to 75 km about 6 weeks before a Camino, and ease off for the last week. Who has time for more? You should toss in an occasional day with 25 km, then perhaps 2 days in a row at 25 km in order to see how you do, but not every day. Similar you might add in a hill or two. But truthfully, I don't, and I just go up the hills in Spain very very slowly.
A few months of training gives you the chance to test and perfect your foot wear - that would be a separate thread. But for me, training is needed in part to sort out my shoes, socks, and adjustments to my custom orthotics. They are quite important to my walking comfort.
A couple of months before your Camino, do a 25-km day with your full backpack and all your exact planned walking clothes - on a clear day and on a rainy day. That's important because you'll find that the particular belt buckle catches on your pack strap, or your sun hat keeps brushing against the top of your pack, or rain drips from your hood onto your glasses, or your phone is too hard to get out of your pocket quickly, or your water bottle is inaccessible, etc. If you don't discover those annoyances at home, you will discover them by day 2 on the camino when it is harder to fix them.
Your body needs to be comfortable walking for hours, several days in a row, and you want the stamina to walk 25 km or so without needing bed rest the next day. Keep walking so that it feels completely natural, but don't over train.
Everybody takes a different approach to their personal routines. What are yours?
Can you confirm, please, whether or not the airlines will allow hiking poles? If I am to board with only my Camino backpack, I was told that the poles would be confiscated. It was then suggested to me that I should buy my hiking poles in SJPDP once I arrive, before I begin the trek.Here are the poles I used... They worked great and where $22!!!
Amazon.com : Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles - Aluminum Walking Sticks with Adjustable Twist Locks Expandable to 54" (Set of 2) : Sports & Outdoors
Cheers,
-jj
Oh dear, go on then, ask the most controversial question you could possibly ask on this forum and then see what happens. Of course you could just use the search facility and discover all the previous arguments, or you could just enquire of airport security at your local airport. All the advice you have found is true.Can you confirm, please, whether or not the airlines will allow hiking poles? If I am to board with only my Camino backpack, I was told that the poles would be confiscated. It was then suggested to me that I should buy my hiking poles in SJPDP once I arrive, before I begin the trek.
Thank you. This was wonderful to read!I did the Camino in 2015 as a 60 year old man, able to walk 20 km without a whole lot of issues (but no hills). I didn't stress about "training" per se, but basically walked from an hour to four hours daily in the month before I began. The best advice I got was to remember it isn't a competition or track meet. If your personal goal is to achieve a bunch of personal bests, then highly athletic training is probably what you need; if your goal is spiritual then your disciplines around prayer and meditation should be strengthened; if you want the Camino to speak to you, then just keep putting one foot in front of the other and find your contentment in all the new and novel experiences of each day. For me, quality was more important than quantity....some days were 10 or 12 km; some were 26 or 28 km. Every day was a blessing.
Thank you for extending grace to me (with my questings), as I am a brand new member and I'm still discovering how to navigate this site!Oh dear, go on then, ask the most controversial question you could possibly ask on this forum and then see what happens. Of course you could just use the search facility and discover all the previous arguments, or you could just enquire of airport security at your local airport. All the advice you have found is true.
I'm going to try the 'Search' bar right now - haha!Thank you for extending grace to me (with my questings), as I am a brand new member and I'm still discovering how to navigate this site!
The answer is ‘nobody knows’.I'm going to try the 'Search' bar right now - haha!
As well as using the Search function, you can find some threads tagged with "poles" here.Can you confirm, please, whether or not the airlines will allow hiking poles?
I'm going to be 76 in May. As a retired Marine, I thought walking the Camino would be a piece of cake (2008), I was very wrong. I pushed too hard, ignored tell tale signs my feet and knee needed rest and drank more beer than water. Since 2008, I've walked five Caminos, the last four were without incident. Here's my takeaway. Walk slowly! Listen to your body. Carry no more than twenty pounds in your pack. Less if possible. Although the number of pilgrims on the Camino is drastically reduced due to Covid, I'm certain the numbers will begin to return to relative norms by this summer. The key will be increased pilgrims from outside the EU. As the need for beds increases consider setting a daily pace of no more than 20 km a day. When possible, reserve a bed so you aren't forced to rush. I like to stop about every five days and book into a hotel for one night. Good food, hot showers, fluffy towels and complete quiet.Since many people are seriously hoping for a walk in 2021, I'm starting this thread on training for the Camino.
Walking is almost always very good for you, whether or not you get to Spain, so there is every reason to build it into your life style. Now. But walking is slow - typically 3-6 km/h - so it can be hard to find the time for it. That's why I suggest setting goals that are realistic for your circumstances.
I am 72 and moderately fit. My target is to walk 40-50 km/week all year, and perhaps increase to 75 km about 6 weeks before a Camino, and ease off for the last week. Who has time for more? You should toss in an occasional day with 25 km, then perhaps 2 days in a row at 25 km in order to see how you do, but not every day. Similar you might add in a hill or two. But truthfully, I don't, and I just go up the hills in Spain very very slowly.
A few months of training gives you the chance to test and perfect your foot wear - that would be a separate thread. But for me, training is needed in part to sort out my shoes, socks, and adjustments to my custom orthotics. They are quite important to my walking comfort.
A couple of months before your Camino, do a 25-km day with your full backpack and all your exact planned walking clothes - on a clear day and on a rainy day. That's important because you'll find that the particular belt buckle catches on your pack strap, or your sun hat keeps brushing against the top of your pack, or rain drips from your hood onto your glasses, or your phone is too hard to get out of your pocket quickly, or your water bottle is inaccessible, etc. If you don't discover those annoyances at home, you will discover them by day 2 on the camino when it is harder to fix them.
Your body needs to be comfortable walking for hours, several days in a row, and you want the stamina to walk 25 km or so without needing bed rest the next day. Keep walking so that it feels completely natural, but don't over train.
Everybody takes a different approach to their personal routines. What are yours?
Nice thread for training for the Camino.Since many people are seriously hoping for a walk in 2021, I'm starting this thread on training for the Camino.
Walking is almost always very good for you, whether or not you get to Spain, so there is every reason to build it into your life style. Now. But walking is slow - typically 3-6 km/h - so it can be hard to find the time for it. That's why I suggest setting goals that are realistic for your circumstances.
I am 72 and moderately fit. My target is to walk 40-50 km/week all year, and perhaps increase to 75 km about 6 weeks before a Camino, and ease off for the last week. Who has time for more? You should toss in an occasional day with 25 km, then perhaps 2 days in a row at 25 km in order to see how you do, but not every day. Similar you might add in a hill or two. But truthfully, I don't, and I just go up the hills in Spain very very slowly.
A few months of training gives you the chance to test and perfect your foot wear - that would be a separate thread. But for me, training is needed in part to sort out my shoes, socks, and adjustments to my custom orthotics. They are quite important to my walking comfort.
A couple of months before your Camino, do a 25-km day with your full backpack and all your exact planned walking clothes - on a clear day and on a rainy day. That's important because you'll find that the particular belt buckle catches on your pack strap, or your sun hat keeps brushing against the top of your pack, or rain drips from your hood onto your glasses, or your phone is too hard to get out of your pocket quickly, or your water bottle is inaccessible, etc. If you don't discover those annoyances at home, you will discover them by day 2 on the camino when it is harder to fix them.
Your body needs to be comfortable walking for hours, several days in a row, and you want the stamina to walk 25 km or so without needing bed rest the next day. Keep walking so that it feels completely natural, but don't over train.
Everybody takes a different approach to their personal routines. What are yours?
In itself not a bad idea. But if you happen to find out ON the Camino that your footwear is not really playing together nicely with your feet, then it would have been better to have tested that before with some long-distance walking at home.Why train FOR the camino when you can train ON the camino and enjoy every step of it? Of course you have to be familiar with your footgear, pack and equipment before starting but why not just plan shorter days until fitness kicks in?
That was my thinking when I walked with my son in 2016. After the first day (Roncesvalles to Zubiri) the next three days were all just 15 km as "training days" and we gradually increased from there. But even with those shorter days he developed blisters and I developed knee issues.Why train FOR the camino when you can train ON the camino and enjoy every step of it? Of course you have to be familiar with your footgear, pack and equipment before starting but why not just plan shorter days until fitness kicks in?
Why? Because training for the camino is a multi-tasking activity (remember dual purpose items?) and it is excellent conditioning for your good health. If the camino helps to motivate, that's fine! There is no reason you can't enjoy the training too.Why train FOR the camino when you can train ON the camino and enjoy every step of it?
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