Interrupting the Camino

[JohnLloyd]

Hello all

First post from a newbie, so I hope you’ll forgive me if I trample on any of the forum rules in asking this question.

I’m aiming to tackle the Camino for the first time at some point over the next two or three months.

My original thought was to start at SJPP in mid August and finish by late September, heading then back to San Sebastián for a stag weekend on the 29/30th.

But I’m now wondering if I should start later - break the journey to go to San Sebastián - and then rejoin the Camino and finish in mid October, which would coincide with my 50th birthday on the 11th.

What are your thoughts on the idea of breaking the Camino into two parts like this?

If I did it, where best would I break the path to head north to San Sebastián?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

John

 

[trecile]

Why not just treat yourself with San Sebastián after completing the Camino?

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Hi, John, and a warm welcome to the Forum

Break up the Camino!!!!! Oh, the horrible breach of pilgrim rules and sensibilities..... it is an awful idea and will doom you.

Lots of people break the Camino into segments, and interrupt it for a variety of reasons and issues. It sounds like it might be a good fit for your needs, and there is not a single thing wrong in carrying out your plan.

By the way, I had to interrupt my Camino last year because of a medical concern (inguinal hernia surgery), and will be returning to complete my pilgrimage this September/October.

 

[JohnLloyd]

Why not just treat yourself with San Sebastián after completing the Camino?

That’s Plan A!

 

[JohnLloyd]

Hi, John, and a warm welcome to the Forum

Break up the Camino!!!!! Oh, the horrible breach of pilgrim rules and sensibilities..... it is an awful idea and will doom you.

Lots of people break the Camino into segments, and interrupt it for a variety of reasons and issues. It sounds like it might be a good fit for your needs, and there is not a single thing wrong in carrying out your plan.

By the way, I had to interrupt my Camino last year because of a medical concern (inguinal hernia surgery), and will be returning to complete my pilgrimage this September/October.

Thanks for the warm welcome, Dave!

Maybe we’ll bump into each other now!

 

[tomnorth]

Leon is roughly two weeks from Santiago, so that might be a good breaking point. Certainly you can break it up. I’d only do it if I absolutely had to. You get into a flow and rhythm on the Camino. Reentry is a real thing. I’d rather not go through it twice.

 

[Landon Ricketts]

Stag do Stag do Stag do Stag do.... sorry what was the question again.

 

[LGLG]

There are no rules against it, definitely , and anyone needs to follow their own heart guidance on this . From my experience, I would only do so if necessary - i feel it could be quite disruptive on a psychological level.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I think that you might regret breaking up your Camino but if you do I suggest that it be at Burgos at the start of the landscape change to the meseta or at Astorga at the change from the meseta. Leon is close enough though and would have better transportation options.

 

[C clearly]

Maybe because it is long past, I wouldn't plan a camino around my 50th birthday. Sure, many people break their caminos for various reasons, but I think it would be quite odd to break it to put a stag weekend in the middle! Have you considered starting at SJPP after that weekend?

 

[IngridF]

Walking into Santiago on your 50th will be elating Best birthday gift I gave myself for my 60th in 2012. If you need to plan out your Camino... plan for that...the rest will fall into place. Buen Camino.

 

[VNwalking]

I'm with @C clearly , and suggest you consider to do the walking after the partying.
You'll likely be in a very 'different' space once you've been on the road a bit (in a good way), and if so you'll enjoy the gathering a lot more before than afterwards.
And sure you can break the walk into two parts - but if you plan that, you might not feel like getting out of the walking rhythm to go to the stag do when the time comes.

 

[AlwynWellington]

@JohnLloyd , lots of different views above.

I have two thoughts

1) I (and many others) do break up the march westward. For example, in May 2016 I stopped at Estella and spent four days in Barcelona. The returned to Logrono to restart. And before and after that I had several 1 or 2 day rest stops as required.

2) Having read, marked, learnt and inwardly digested all the above amd what might follow, you will consult your own needs and decide accordingly.

Kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)

 

[JohnLloyd]

Thanks to all for your thoughtful comments.

I’ve now committed to doing one thing at a time.

My flight to Biarritz is booked for August 21st, which gives me 38 days to walk the Camino before heading to San Sebastián for the stag do.

I think that makes more sense.

Now, to up the preparation!

On that topic, does this look like sufficient training distances?

 

[KiwiBrownz]

Hello all

First post from a newbie, so I hope you’ll forgive me if I trample on any of the forum rules in asking this question.

I’m aiming to tackle the Camino for the first time at some point over the next two or three months.

My original thought was to start at SJPP in mid August and finish by late September, heading then back to San Sebastián for a stag weekend on the 29/30th.

But I’m now wondering if I should start later - break the journey to go to San Sebastián - and then rejoin the Camino and finish in mid October, which would coincide with my 50th birthday on the 11th.

What are your thoughts on the idea of breaking the Camino into two parts like this?

If I did it, where best would I break the path to head north to San Sebastián?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

John

Hi John
What a great idea of finishing your camino with a birthday sounds win win to me two walks and two celebrations!

 

[tomnorth]

Thanks to all for your thoughtful comments.

I’ve now committed to doing one thing at a time.

My flight to Biarritz is booked for August 21st, which gives me 38 days to walk the Camino before heading to San Sebastián for the stag do.

I think that makes more sense.

Now, to up the preparation!

On that topic, does this look like sufficient training distances?

View attachment 44596

Well, you’ve certainly taken it up a notch in July. It’s hard to answer your question, since you know your body better than others. What I would suggest to folks who are interested in training for their Camino is to get in several 8 - 10 km walking days a week, with a 12-14 km day thrown in now and then. It seems you’re at that level in July. I’m not one who subscribes to the idea that to train for the Camino you have to duplicate the exact amount of walking you’ll be doing in Spain. I just don’t think it’s practical. I can’t find six hours a day to train, so I make due with my 5 mile hikes several times a week. As my Camino approaches I will get in a longer hike at least once a week.

 

[WalksInWinter]

Sounds like you have made up your mind to do the Camino in one stretch since your OP. One other thought I would add in support to the other good points already made, is that once you start walking, you will find yourself a part of a 'cohort' of sorts, from which you may make some great friendships. It would be a shame to interrupt that experience by stepping off the trail and starting again later when you will be the 'new guy'. That being said, I had to take a break for health reasons during one of my Caminos, and met some great folks when rejoined a few weeks later as I was in a better headspace. So it really is hard to say until you are out there. Following your gut sounds like the best plan. Buen Camino!

 

[AlwynWellington]

On that topic, does this look like sufficient training distances?

Yes and no.

That will cerainly get you fit of body.

At this stage you will also need quite a few prolonged trips to get you fit of mind for the day after day journey.

Your recording system doesn't seem to show elevation gain. Coping with hills, big and not so big, each day can be a leveller (pun intended)

Kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)

 

[spagirl]

My flight to Biarritz is booked for August 21st, which gives me 38 days to walk the Camino before heading to San Sebastián for the stag do.

Im heading out that day to, and celebrating my 50 th......no stag's planned along the way though.

See you on the road

Buen Camino

 

[JohnLloyd]

Im heading out that day to, and celebrating my 50 th......no stag's planned along the way though.

See you on the road

Buen Camino

Hi there - apologies for the delayed response, I’ve been distracted by things here in Iceland.

Looking forward to it very much now.

 

[JohnLloyd]

Maybe because it is long past, I wouldn't plan a camino around my 50th birthday. Sure, many people break their caminos for various reasons, but I think it would be quite odd to break it to put a stag weekend in the middle! Have you considered starting at SJPP after that weekend?

Thanks for your thoughts.

That would be too much of a delay, I think!

I’m going to try to do SJPP to SDC in one trip from August 22nd, go to the stag do on September 28th and then I’ll think about going on to Muxia and Finisterre as a last stage afterwards.

 

[JohnLloyd]

Yes and no.

That will cerainly get you fit of body.

At this stage you will also need quite a few prolonged trips to get you fit of mind for the day after day journey.

Your recording system doesn't seem to show elevation gain. Coping with hills, big and not so big, each day can be a leveller (pun intended)

Kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)

Thanks Alwyn!

I finished July on 386k steps and nearly 260km with quite a few Icelandic hills and mountain paths included.

Elevations slow me but they do not defeat me.

Is it fair to say that the Napoleon route on the first stage is one of the hardest of all?