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You can do the Camino in some manner at your level of fitness.Have I done enough? Will I be fit enough? Will I cope? Will I get homesick? Will 7 weeks be enough? Will I ... Will I... and what if?!
Will you overcome it all, have a life-changing experience and be a stronger, changed person? Yes !
Never will I forget the look that one très correct French woman drinking champagne from a crystal flute, no plastic for her, gave me as I trudged past exhausted! ET would have been better received....Nevertheless eventually I made it to Santiago walking slowly all the way.
Hello everyone
I've got 2 months before I start my walk. I've never done anything like this before. I've been preparing, learning, getting kit and of course walking... but the closer I get the more nervous I am.
Have I done enough? Will I be fit enough? Will I cope? Will I get homesick? Will 7 weeks be enough? Will I ... Will I... and what if?!
I've planned five 3-day trips in the next 2 months where I can walk for 3 days in a row but I still feel unprepared... I still get lost and miss markers when I'm walking... I am still only walking 15km on my day walks... still not sure of my boots... how on earth am I going to walk 800km!
So... were you super fit? Where/are you in excellent health? Where/are you totally prepared? Did you have doubts and fears? Am I just worrying about everything?
Just interested...
LesBrass, I'm glad you've got the Keen sandals. I remember reading in another post that you live in sandals at home. You can always wear those if the boots cause problems. I would.
As to fitness - you sound way fitter than I am when I start my Caminos. I can really only train for the Camino on the Camino. Take it slowly. Yes, you do have plenty of time. For goodness sake, don't rush the first few days. Listen to your body, listen to your feet. And the birds, cowbells, wind in the trees.
With training, keep doing what you can but don't beat yourself up. More important is to have an accepting attitude - what will be will be. We play our part by being determined and persistent but sometimes I think I'm just along for the ride - and have very little control over what happens.
Anxiety is natural on a first Camino and we all experience it at some stages - even the most experienced. You are a performer so know about stage fright. Use your anxiety and adrenaline to help you prepare, but don't let it overwhelm or put you off course because this is a l-o-n-g performance. Once you get the first few songs under your belt you will feel better!
I'll be applauding you.
LesBrass, I see you are having trouble finding the perfect shoes. I know you are in France, but do you have access to trail runners like Brooks Cascadia or New Balance? A running store or good outdoor store should carry something similar.Philly... I'll bear that in mind. I've tried a posh pair from Decathalon, Merrells and now Mammut...I wear the shoes around the house but the only real way to see if they work is to walk in them... and then of course you cant take them backI'm still hoping the mamut will be the one!
Padre - my last walk was mainly on roads and I found I was having to walk on the camber of the road a lot and my feet really hurt at the end of the walk.
Now that is interesting because we don't have a lot of dirt/rocky terrain to train on and I was worried that we were doing too much on roads and pavements. Two weeks ago we drove to an area that had lots of off road walking opportunities and stayed there for 4 days training. I just want to get started now because my head keeps going around and around about what we might have forgotten to do or plan to take.One thing I didn't do enough of was walking along the streets rather than out in the country. The Camino involves a lot of walking on roads and pavements, especially through various cities and towns. Killer on the feet.
I know that look. We were in an upmarket area recently and I went into a shoe shop to enquire about a travel shop that was supposed to be in the area. I was in full hiking gear. The assistant took one look at me, (up and down) and did a "wrong" assessment and told me she had no idea where such a shop would be! I felt like going back later all dressed up, with a shoe bag from another shop and doing the "Pretty Woman" movie line of "mistake, big mistake"..... The world would be so much better if we didn't make such value judgements based on dress.I know that look
you can do the 800 at a step at a timeHello everyone
I've got 2 months before I start my walk. I've never done anything like this before. I've been preparing, learning, getting kit and of course walking... but the closer I get the more nervous I am.
Have I done enough? Will I be fit enough? Will I cope? Will I get homesick? Will 7 weeks be enough? Will I ... Will I... and what if?!
I've planned five 3-day trips in the next 2 months where I can walk for 3 days in a row but I still feel unprepared... I still get lost and miss markers when I'm walking... I am still only walking 15km on my day walks... still not sure of my boots... how on earth am I going to walk 800km!
So... were you super fit? Where/are you in excellent health? Where/are you totally prepared? Did you have doubts and fears? Am I just worrying about everything?
Just interested...
Your head spinning with excitement is not new as mine has been spinning since I left last year, its now in a massive spin as September gets closer.Now that is interesting because we don't have a lot of dirt/rocky terrain to train on and I was worried that we were doing too much on roads and pavements. Two weeks ago we drove to an area that had lots of off road walking opportunities and stayed there for 4 days training. I just want to get started now because my head keeps going around and around about what we might have forgotten to do or plan to take.
Mary,LesBrass,
I know what you are going through. I have been having the same worries and doubts. So far my long days are only 16 km (10 miles). I have no hills to train on and I haven't started training with my pack yet for my mid-September start. I will be traveling to the Appalachian Trail here in the U.S. and will hike 3 or 4 days on it with my pack in a couple of weeks. That should tell me something. So far no blisters, but I expect ascents and descents are the hardest on the feet and my feet haven't been tested under those conditions.
I have Keen Whisper sandals and I really like them. My hiking shoes are Merrell Moabs. They are waterproof and I think that might be a mistake. I knew they make a foot hotter, but REI was pushing them and as my feet are normally cold, I thought, okay. Since training in them, however, I have experienced hot feet and am thinking I might have to change to a different shoe. They feel a little heavy to me, too. I am going to see a podiatrist for the first time ever tomorrow so will see what she thinks.
I think my biggest mistake might be having allowed only 5 weeks to walk. I have a roundtrip ticket for 6 weeks but allowing for travel to and from and 2 days in Paris leaves me with only 34 days to walk. That was very poor planning on my part. I am at least heeding others advice about starting slowly. I will have a rest day in SJPP and then the first night in Orisson and the 2nd night in Roncesvalles. I intend to listen to my body and if that means 10 - 15 km days, then so be it. Travel plans may have to be adjusted. C'est la vie!
I read a funny quote in a travel book the other day. It read, "If you want to hear God laugh, just tell Him your plans." That made me smile.I'm going to try to flow with my Camino. Time will tell! I'm looking forward to meeting you.
Mary
You've received a lot of good advice. My advice is to chill out and go with the flow. If you're a religious person, we call that trusting Jesus or trusting the Holy Spirit. Just go with an open mind and leave all those preconceived anxieties at home. Once you get started walking you'll be amazed at how quickly those anxieties will fade away....Will I ... Will I... and what if?!
... then I'm going to book somewhere like Viscarret the following night and Zubiri...
Corozon Puro in Viscarret is fine pension with friendly helpful hosts, twin bedded rooms and good food. In Zubiri the private albergue El Palo de Avalleno offers either bunk beds or true beds in dorms as well as some private rooms. Their food is also very good. I hope to return once again to both spots later this autumn.
MM
Hello everyone
I've got 2 months before I start my walk. I've never done anything like this before. I've been preparing, learning, getting kit and of course walking... but the closer I get the more nervous I am.
Have I done enough? Will I be fit enough? Will I cope? Will I get homesick? Will 7 weeks be enough? Will I ... Will I... and what if?!
I've planned five 3-day trips in the next 2 months where I can walk for 3 days in a row but I still feel unprepared... I still get lost and miss markers when I'm walking... I am still only walking 15km on my day walks... still not sure of my boots... how on earth am I going to walk 800km!
So... were you super fit? Where/are you in excellent health? Where/are you totally prepared? Did you have doubts and fears? Am I just worrying about everything?
Just interested...
Excellent advice! Nineteen days into my Camino I developed a hot spot, and I did not recognize it for what it was – after all, up to that time I had been completely symptom-free, and was walking in the most comfortable boots I have ever owned. Imagine my surprise at the end of the day when I discovered a blister on my heel down near the bottom where the skin is quite thick, and where I’d never before had a blister. Fortunately, my blister was treatable, but the tendinitis that surfaced the following day, due no doubt to my adjusting my gait because of the developing blister, was another matter....... If you get a hot spot, stop and address the problem .....
Well, yes and no. I agree that you should avoid overuse injury at all times. However, there have been a fair number of Forum Members who have had an existing condition reach a crisis in the first couple of days. Pilgrims with known knee and ankle conditions should determine in training that they won't be headed home after three days on the Camino. The Camino is really not the place to first test your physical capabilities. Those who have never walked 20km with a pack should do it at least once. The result will tell you whether you can do it for 35 days in a row!At least I should avoid overuse injury before I leave home.
Thanks Doug I am at that stage of "have we done enough training" but this program confirmed we are on target. My husband has lost 7kgs in weight since he started walking seriously after Christmas so that has been an added bonus for him.@LesBrass, there is a lot that can be done in two months to improve your walking fitness. Before my first camino, I followed the Aussiewalk training program at http://www.aussiewalk.com.au/training.htm. This year, I was less disciplined, but did do the two longer distances at the Canberra Walking Festival (42km/30km) before leaving for Europe. The program shown can be modified to move the longer walks around so that weekday training can be fitted in with other obligations, like going to work!
Regards,
Pilgrims with known knee and ankle conditions should determine in training that they won't be headed home after three days on the Camino. The Camino is really not the place to first test your physical capabilities. Those who have never walked 20km with a pack should do it at least once. The result will tell you whether you can do it for 35 days in a row!
Ah yes...hot spots. Someone told me. As you walk along try to collect the sheep/lambs wool on the bushes. Gather it in a bag as you go. Put it straight away on any hot spot you feel and tape it there, the natural lanolin will stop a blister forming! Amazing but apparently true.Excellent advice! Nineteen days into my Camino I developed a hot spot, and I did not recognize it for what it was – after all, up to that time I had been completely symptom-free, and was walking in the most comfortable boots I have ever owned. Imagine my surprise at the end of the day when I discovered a blister on my heel down near the bottom where the skin is quite thick, and where I’d never before had a blister. Fortunately, my blister was treatable, but the tendinitis that surfaced the following day, due no doubt to my adjusting my gait because of the developing blister, was another matter.
Don’t take lightly the advice regarding hot spots.
Buen Camino.
Hello everyone
I've got 2 months before I start my walk. I've never done anything like this before. I've been preparing, learning, getting kit and of course walking... but the closer I get the more nervous I am.
Have I done enough? Will I be fit enough? Will I cope? Will I get homesick? Will 7 weeks be enough? Will I ... Will I... and what if?!
I've planned five 3-day trips in the next 2 months where I can walk for 3 days in a row but I still feel unprepared... I still get lost and miss markers when I'm walking... I am still only walking 15km on my day walks... still not sure of my boots... how on earth am I going to walk 800km!
So... were you super fit? Where/are you in excellent health? Where/are you totally prepared? Did you have doubts and fears? Am I just worrying about everything?
Just interested...
LesBrass:Hello everyone
I've got 2 months before I start my walk. I've never done anything like this before. I've been preparing, learning, getting kit and of course walking... but the closer I get the more nervous I am.
Have I done enough? Will I be fit enough? Will I cope? Will I get homesick? Will 7 weeks be enough? Will I ... Will I... and what if?!
I've planned five 3-day trips in the next 2 months where I can walk for 3 days in a row but I still feel unprepared... I still get lost and miss markers when I'm walking... I am still only walking 15km on my day walks... still not sure of my boots... how on earth am I going to walk 800km!
So... were you super fit? Where/are you in excellent health? Where/are you totally prepared? Did you have doubts and fears? Am I just worrying about everything?
Just interested...
Margaret: Wonderful posting! I also remember what a butt kicking that trek over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles was..I was also dragging. I had been as tired on other occasions but this was at least more beautiful and, as always with any aspect of the Camino, special.LesBrass,
Go easy.
It is good to train while wearing/carrying whatever you plan to take. Tried and true is better than new and never worn/used for all your camino gear. Although training is most important nothing really prepares your body for the daily repeated routine of walking the camino week after week except walking daily with all your kit week after week.
Although I had walked throughout the summer hiking 20 k up the 1060 meter Ibaneta pass via the Valcarlos route the first time in autumn 2004 at 65 to the monastery at Roncesvalles was certainly the most physically exhausting day of my adult life then to date. I was pooped! Beneath a deep blue sky and brilliant sun I gasped and ached while my pack felt like bricks.
After about 5 hours I finally staggered over the pass into a picnic area filled with a munching mob; they had arrived by bus and cars! Never will I forget the look that one très correct French woman drinking champagne from a crystal flute, no plastic for her, gave me as I trudged past exhausted! ET would have been better received....Nevertheless eventually I made it to Santiago walking slowly all the way.
Ever since I always walk very easy. Daily distances cited in the guidebooks are not sacred; remember the fable of the tortoise and the hare.
Ever since on every camino I have eventually sensed that special moment when everything 'clicked'. Then I realized that it was, indeed, MY way and that all was and would be good. Perhaps such secular transcendence felt while walking might be akin to what runners call 'the zone'. Your body can handle the task while your spirit glows with the effort. Neither easy, nor impossible; all simply is. Thus, you resolve to continue.
Happy training and Buen Camino,
Margaret Meredith
No One was less prepared than me. I was overweight, had done no physical preparation, did not even look at a Camino map before I left and never bought one along the way. I made it to Santiago one step at a time. So will you.Hello everyone
I've got 2 months before I start my walk. I've never done anything like this before. I've been preparing, learning, getting kit and of course walking... but the closer I get the more nervous I am.
Have I done enough? Will I be fit enough? Will I cope? Will I get homesick? Will 7 weeks be enough? Will I ... Will I... and what if?!
I've planned five 3-day trips in the next 2 months where I can walk for 3 days in a row but I still feel unprepared... I still get lost and miss markers when I'm walking... I am still only walking 15km on my day walks... still not sure of my boots... how on earth am I going to walk 800km!
So... were you super fit? Where/are you in excellent health? Where/are you totally prepared? Did you have doubts and fears? Am I just worrying about everything?
Just interested...
Ah yes...hot spots. Someone told me. As you walk along try to collect the sheep/lambs wool on the bushes. Gather it in a bag as you go. Put it straight away on any hot spot you feel and tape it there, the natural lanolin will stop a blister forming! Amazing but apparently true.
We reckon that we can add about half as much again to our daily practise walk length once on the Camino - so at 15kms we would be able to increase to 20kms per day. That makes 40 days to walk your Camino with 9 rest days, or some shorter days, assuming that the 7 weeks is for walking and doesn't include travel. The longest day I walked was 24kms and it was followed by a rest day ie walking around gently sightseeing. So long as you don't walk too far or too fast, especially at first, you should be fine. Hopefully you have resolved the boots issue. We weighed some boots and found that ours (Hi-Tec) are 120gms each lighter than some other makes - that is 240gms total less weight we are carrying around on our feet.... I am still only walking 15km on my day walks... still not sure of my boots... how on earth am I going to walk 800km!
...
@LesBrass, there is a lot that can be done in two months to improve your walking fitness. Before my first camino, I followed the Aussiewalk training program at http://www.aussiewalk.com.au/training.htm. This year, I was less disciplined, but did do the two longer distances at the Canberra Walking Festival (42km/30km) before leaving for Europe. The program shown can be modified to move the longer walks around so that weekday training can be fitted in with other obligations, like going to work!
Regards,
@LesBrass, there is a lot that can be done in two months to improve your walking fitness. Before my first camino, I followed the Aussiewalk training program at http://www.aussiewalk.com.au/training.htm. This year, I was less disciplined, but did do the two longer distances at the Canberra Walking Festival (42km/30km) before leaving for Europe. The program shown can be modified to move the longer walks around so that weekday training can be fitted in with other obligations, like going to work!
Regards,
@Robo, I don't think about it much any more, but I suppose I get my distances up first. For anything over an hour, I will normally carry a small pack (18 li for urban walks, 30li for bush walks) with water, fleece, rainjacket etc. For bushwalks I add a thermos and snacks, a first aid kit and some warm extra clothing in winter. So maybe 4-5 kg for urban walks, 8-9kg for bush walks. This year, I didn't walk with my camino load until I got to Spain, but my last walks before I left were well over what I did in Spain.This looks good Doug. I need the discipline of a set program. This program does not add pack weight till the 20 km stage. Would you agree that it's better to build up fitness/distance first, before adding weight?
@Robo, I don't think about it much any more, but I suppose I get my distances up first. For anything over an hour, I will normally carry a small pack (18 li for urban walks, 30li for bush walks) with water, fleece, rainjacket etc. For bushwalks I add a thermos and snacks, a first aid kit and some warm extra clothing in winter. So maybe 4-5 kg for urban walks, 8-9kg for bush walks. This year, I didn't walk with my camino load until I got to Spain, but my last walks before I left were well over what I did in Spain.
On our training walks I carry a small pack as you suggest. 3-4KG (with both our water / weather gear in it) . I think it's good to always wear a pack of some kind so that it becomes natural.
Me to!! :-DI was in shape. Round is a shape
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