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Time to shift to hills/mountains/stadium stairs.This is on flatland.
Why? I averaged 15 km (do the math) in 6 hours walking for years. If you feel that 15 mi/4 hrs pace is mandatory, you have the wrong impression. If you think it will give you bragging rights, ok, but there are many threads on this forum regarding the topic "a pilgrimage is not a race"....when I can easily do 15 miles in 4 hours with 15 lbs (7 kg) on my back I think I'll feel ready.
Personally, I am puzzled by this statement. It is one thing to want to get in decent shape to minimize the pain; it is quite another entirely to desire a pain-free pilgrimage. (I realize it's a concept that works for some people.)I want to experience most of the pain before the trip.
I don't think that you need to walk at that pace with a fully loaded backpack. A 3 mph pace is probably more reasonable. And when you are on the Camino you won't be walking 15 miles straight through. I would usually walk between 3 to 5 miles when I started out, then stop for breakfast. Then I'd walk another couple of hours and take another break for a snack or lunch. I would also take off my shoes and socks to allow my feet to air out and breathe, which I feel is key for blister prevention.I'm 65 and preparing for my first Camino. I've worked out 'religiously' for the past 6 months and have made good progress. Doing mostly weight training for leg and torso strength and muscle endurance with occasional brisk walks. Six months ago I could walk 3 miles at a 16 min/mile pace. Now I can do 10 miles. This is on flatland. I don't think I'm ready yet, but when I can easily do 15 miles in 4 hours with 15 lbs (7 kg) on my back I think I'll feel ready. Does that sound about right to you experience folks? I want to experience most of the pain before the trip.
... I don't think I'm ready yet ...
I'm 65 and preparing for my first Camino. I've worked out 'religiously' for the past 6 months and have made good progress. Doing mostly weight training for leg and torso strength and muscle endurance with occasional brisk walks. Six months ago I could walk 3 miles at a 16 min/mile pace. Now I can do 10 miles. This is on flatland. I don't think I'm ready yet, but when I can easily do 15 miles in 4 hours with 15 lbs (7 kg) on my back I think I'll feel ready. Does that sound about right to you experience folks? I want to experience most of the pain before the trip.
Not true, sorry. I never walked even 500 meters with a backpack before a Camino, nor in between Caminos, and never will.The pilgrims who have trouble are the ones who have never walked 20 km with a pack before they hit the trail.
... I never walked even 500 meters with a backpack before a Camino, nor in between Caminos, and never will ...
I have seen a number of weirdos in townwalking withpoles and a back pack. It only recently dawned on me they may be "practicing" for the Camino.For fear of looking totally ridiculous tramping along my usual walking routes with a big pack on my back. If you've a thicker skin than me, go for it!
I have seen a number of weirdos in townwalking withpoles and a back pack. It only recently dawned on me they may be "practicing" for the Camino.
Hi Trecile:I don't think that you need to walk at that pace with a fully loaded backpack. A 3 mph pace is probably more reasonable. And when you are on the Camino you won't be walking 15 miles straight through. I would usually walk between 3 to 5 miles when I started out, then stop for breakfast. Then I'd walk another couple of hours and take another break for a snack or lunch. I would also take off my shoes and socks to allow my feet to air out and breathe, which I feel is key for blister prevention.
When I did my training I focused on walking long distances on consecutive days, and only walked with my backpack a few times. And I took a break during those walks, just as I would on the Camino. I'm lucky that I live in a hilly area, so it was easy to incorporate hills into my training.
. . . I have been wondering because I have been walking 5 miles a day for quite a few years.
I have discovered a few new Camino walkers by simply asking "are you training" The majority are getting ready for local mountains but 3 have said Camino de Santiago. A few have been homeless & just passing thru, but regardless it is interesting to talk to each person. Just as it can be on the Camino.I have seen a number of weirdos in townwalking withpoles and a back pack. It only recently dawned on me they may be "practicing" for the Camino.
You could weigh down your pack with say five 2 liter soda bottles full of water and other gear to get the weight right. Then you have plenty to drink and if the pack weight bothers you can give some flowers a drink (or with 10 liters maybe a whole lawn.BUT it is going to be too hot where I live to walk long distances with the pack at that time.
HJD, it's enough. I trained assiduously for my first one at age 59, and I live in the mountains. Despite that, the first 5K up the Napoleon were still tough, and every serious hill after that was more or less a struggle. I'm just a slow hillwalker. I beat myself up a bit early on when those who were younger and more fit passed me on hills (such as on the way up the Alto de Perdon), but that competitive sense got easier to let go of with practice. I continued to be slow on uphills, but by about 10 days in felt very strong. Just be sure be up on footcare and attend to your feet immediately if you sense the slightest hint of a problem. I found hiker's wool in front of my toes on the days of hard downhills helpful (the latter half of the day Roncesvalles to Zubiri, down from the Alto de Perdon, and down from the Cruz de Ferro).I'm 65 and preparing for my first Camino. I've worked out 'religiously' for the past 6 months and have made good progress. Doing mostly weight training for leg and torso strength and muscle endurance with occasional brisk walks. Six months ago I could walk 3 miles at a 16 min/mile pace. Now I can do 10 miles. This is on flatland. I don't think I'm ready yet, but when I can easily do 15 miles in 4 hours with 15 lbs (7 kg) on my back I think I'll feel ready. Does that sound about right to you experience folks? I want to experience most of the pain before the trip.
10 to 15 miles. I wanted to make sure that my shoe/sock combination would work walking those kinds of distances on consecutive days, so one week I walked 10 miles every day. I was normally walking about 5 miles a day. One day I walked 15 miles with my pack to see how that felt.A few burning questions for you:
How far were your long distances?
Only three or four times with my pack, and only fully loaded once.What do you mean by a few times?
I started "training" around May, and I left August 18th. I live in a hilly area, so I have lots of opportunity to practice on hills, but the days that I just went for distance I walked on a local bike path that is fairly flat. My daily walk takes me down and up a fairly steep hill.How long before you left did you start training?
At the end of August I had quite a few days in the mid nineties, and some pretty warm days in September too. I really hate being sweaty, but got used to it, and it made me appreciate the shower at the end of the day much more!I am pretty sure it's not going to be 90++ degrees on the Camino in Sept.
I know what you mean. It really becomes part of you!Packed light carried pack the whole way mostly because it felt like an appendage and became my "friend"...... I couldn't dream of sending it on and walking off without it
In training for our second Camino, my husband and I wear our packs around San Francisco. We have discovered that nothing makes one more approachable (and unapproachable) as wearing a backpack through the city. Yesterday we had several encounters with people who were really friendly. Apparently, when one puts a backpack on people (the people who are not avoiding eye contact because they think you might ask for spare change or are a "weirdo"I have seen a number of weirdos in townwalking withpoles and a back pack. It only recently dawned on me they may be "practicing" for the Camino.
In training for our second Camino, my husband and I wear our packs around San Francisco. We have discovered that nothing makes one more approachable (and unapproachable) as wearing a backpack through the city. Yesterday we had several encounters with people who were really friendly. Apparently, when one puts a backpack on people (the people who are not avoiding eye contact because they think you might ask for spare change or are a "weirdo") want to talk to you and not about backpacking. People asked about how long we have been married or commented on us holding hands - stuff like that. One guy, after we had been in a brief conversion with him and his friend about the gorgeous weather and a longer one about why his life was not going so well, offered us a cigarette (which we declined) like we were old buddies hanging out on the street corner. That normally doesn't happen to my backpackless 56 year old woman standing on the corner self. Yesterday's training walk and its many impromptu conversations were reminiscent of being on the Camino; it made me realize that the seemingly unique flow of kindness and humanity that one experiences on the Camino is all around us, and if one wants to find it, all one has to do is put a fully loaded backpack on and walk out the front door. That was my long way of saying train with pack.
When you do a long multi-day walk successfully my theory is that you build residual strength in bones, ligaments, and tendons that stays with you. After that you don't really need much stimulus to get ready for the next "big one." But I would contend that you won't really be prepared for your first major walk by doing 3-10 mile walks twice a week with a light day pack for a few weeks before. When the big walk comes your body will be shocked by the stresses you put on it. And not necessarily in a good way. As an example I used to participate in training for the Nijmegen Vierdaagse walk in the Netherlands (40 km per day for 4 days back to back with a 10kg pack plus consumables, food and liquids) and it was considered necessary to walk 800 to 1000 km in the pre-season culminating in two 40 km days back to back with full gear to prepare for the walk . But I talked to many Dutch military walkers who told me that after completing one or two walks they really didn't need to do too much preparation for the next one. Their bodies seemed to remember how to cope. Anyway, my two bits worth. P.S. Hope you enjoy the Arles route. Haven't walked that one yet and would love to hear how you enjoyed it.I never use a pack heavier than a day pack between caminos. Just doing walks and day hiking of 3-10 miles a couple times a week seems to be enough. I've done a Camino each of the past 3 years, planning the Arles this May. I'm 63.
And NOTHING will prepare you for steep downhill walking like walking down steep hills.nothing will prepare you for uphill walking like uphill walking
I saw more people in trouble walking down steep hills than up.
I'm 65 and preparing for my first Camino. I've worked out 'religiously' for the past 6 months and have made good progress. Doing mostly weight training for leg and torso strength and muscle endurance with occasional brisk walks. Six months ago I could walk 3 miles at a 16 min/mile pace. Now I can do 10 miles. This is on flatland. I don't think I'm ready yet, but when I can easily do 15 miles in 4 hours with 15 lbs (7 kg) on my back I think I'll feel ready. Does that sound about right to you experience folks? I want to experience most of the pain before the trip.
I'm 65 and preparing for my first Camino. I've worked out 'religiously' for the past 6 months and have made good progress. Doing mostly weight training for leg and torso strength and muscle endurance with occasional brisk walks. Six months ago I could walk 3 miles at a 16 min/mile pace. Now I can do 10 miles. This is on flatland. I don't think I'm ready yet, but when I can easily do 15 miles in 4 hours with 15 lbs (7 kg) on my back I think I'll feel ready. Does that sound about right to you experience folks? I want to experience most of the pain before the trip.
I agree. People who are new to off-road walking often get a sort of tunnel vision and focus all their attention and worries on the business of getting up steep hills. Understandable - it is counter-intuitive to worry about getting down the other side. Surely that must be easy - just let gravity do the hard work? In reality I find it a far more challenging business: much easier to injure toes or lose my footing. I also find that a trip or fall when going downhill is far more difficult to control and much more likely to result in injury.
Hi, we are in Phx. Already too hot to walk with a pack in the afternoons. I will be joining a gym just to have a place to walk.Hi Trecile:
A few burning questions for you:
How far were your long distances?
What do you mean by a few times?
How long before you left did you start training?
I have been wondering because I have been walking 5 miles a day for quite a few years. I know that is a far cry from an average of three times that distance with a pack on my back. I am starting my Camino in mid September. I have recently started walking a little longer each day and have incorporated a some hills (the few that there are around here). It makes sense to me to start 2-3 months before I leave, BUT it is going to be too hot where I live to walk long distances with the pack at that time. I am pretty sure it's not going to be 90++ degrees on the Camino in Sept. So I guess my question is...will it help or not to walk longer distances with & without the pack so far in advance?
Thank you!
Yes it is!! Fortunately I am an early riser so I am usually done by 8 or 8:30 and it is still cool enough. I plan to do as much as I can before it starts to get too hot early in the am. I did think about the gym too...might be a good option! I expect to get some interesting looks if I go in with the pack but certainly preferable to heatstroke. When are you planning to do the Camino? I leave Sept. 14.Hi, we are in Phx. Already too hot to walk with a pack in the afternoons. I will be joining a gym just to have a place to walk.
I do agree that downhill walking can be brutal and a huge source of repetitive stress problems. But I'm pretty sold on uphill walking even for training for that. I think it will do a lot to prepare you for downhills in terms of strengthening and toughening the legs. Agree that slightly larger shoes, some walking sticks and the willingness to go a bit slower can help in addition to strengthening exercises (aka uphill walkingAnd NOTHING will prepare you for steep downhill walking like walking down steep hills.
I saw more people in trouble walking down steep hills than up.
In actual fact there are lots of exercises you can do for strengthening the knees to handle downhill sections (I found lots of walking did the best).
But, unless you practice (just a little), you may not realise that your shoes are too small and you'll end up with blisters on the ends of your toes and/or lose a few toenails.
I'm 65 and preparing for my first Camino. I've worked out 'religiously' for the past 6 months and have made good progress. Doing mostly weight training for leg and torso strength and muscle endurance with occasional brisk walks. Six months ago I could walk 3 miles at a 16 min/mile pace. Now I can do 10 miles. This is on flatland. I don't think I'm ready yet, but when I can easily do 15 miles in 4 hours with 15 lbs (7 kg) on my back I think I'll feel ready. Does that sound about right to you experience folks? I want to experience most of the pain before the trip.
Yes it is!! Fortunately I am an early riser so I am usually done by 8 or 8:30 and it is still cool enough. I plan to do as much as I can before it starts to get too hot early in the am. I did think about the gym too...might be a good option! I expect to get some interesting looks if I go in with the pack but certainly preferable to heatstroke. When are you planning to do the Camino? I leave Sept. 14.
Summer temps reach 120F here in the summer. We have night time lows in the 90s. No can walk in that heat.For those in hot climates: Did you know that exercising in heat can actually build your endurance? You need to be sure to get enough liquids, modify your exercise and take common sense precautions, but there's no reason you need to give up outside walking and hiking. In fact, you will actually benefit if you do it sensibly. I have done this by walking outside when it's over 95F, and I do notice that I tire more quickly, go slower, and can't go as long. But to some degree, your body adapts.
Have you considered flying into Madrid? I found airfare from PHX less than either Barcelona or Paris. (Sorry--off topic)Our target date is sometime around Sept 1st. Depending on airfare and either Paris or Barcelona to fly into.
I'm 65 and preparing for my first Camino. I've worked out 'religiously' for the past 6 months and have made good progress. Doing mostly weight training for leg and torso strength and muscle endurance with occasional brisk walks. Six months ago I could walk 3 miles at a 16 min/mile pace. Now I can do 10 miles. This is on flatland. I don't think I'm ready yet, but when I can easily do 15 miles in 4 hours with 15 lbs (7 kg) on my back I think I'll feel ready. Does that sound about right to you experience folks? I want to experience most of the pain before the trip.
I'm 65 and preparing for my first Camino. I've worked out 'religiously' for the past 6 months and have made good progress. Doing mostly weight training for leg and torso strength and muscle endurance with occasional brisk walks. Six months ago I could walk 3 miles at a 16 min/mile pace. Now I can do 10 miles. This is on flatland. I don't think I'm ready yet, but when I can easily do 15 miles in 4 hours with 15 lbs (7 kg) on my back I think I'll feel ready. Does that sound about right to you experience folks? I want to experience most of the pain before the trip.
After 700 miles in those boots while training, did you have to buy another for the actual Camino?I trained a lot for the Camino Frances (my first Camino). I walked over 700 miles in my boots and with my loaded pack. I knew I was ready for the trail when I walked 12 miles six days in a row. My plan was to walk 20 K per day and this test proved I could do it.
I do agree that downhill walking can be brutal and a huge source of repetitive stress problems. But I'm pretty sold on uphill walking even for training for that. I think it will do a lot to prepare you for downhills in terms of strengthening and toughening the legs. Agree that slightly larger shoes, some walking sticks and the willingness to go a bit slower can help in addition to strengthening exercises (aka uphill walking). We have a great training area here in Vancouver called the Grouse Grind which is about 2800 feet (853 m) of steady uphill with the opportunity to take a gondola down. Takes between 30 minutes to 2 hrs+ and is superb training. Unfortunately it doesn't open until after the snows are almost gone which is too late for prepping for a spring camino but would work out well for a summer or autumn one. https://www.grousemountain.com/grousegrind. Expect there are similar opportunities anywhere that has some good hills. Doing hill work once a week would be great preparation, as always, in my humble opinion.
Hi Frida, my brother and I are beginning the Arles Camino approx 17 - 18th May, buen Camino, we may cross pathsI never use a pack heavier than a day pack between caminos. Just doing walks and day hiking of 3-10 miles a couple times a week seems to be enough. I've done a Camino each of the past 3 years, planning the Arles this May. I'm 63.
If you are aiming to mimic walking on the Camino, stop every couple of hours and have a coffee, a snack, lunch, etc. Take off your shoes and air out your feet. Include the time that you are resting in the 6-8 hours. Please don't feel like you need to be able to walk continuously for 6 to 8 hours, because that's not what you will be doing on the Camino.For a challenge, I suggest walking 6-8 hours daily for 3 consecutive days. If you are working, you might need to plan this for the next holiday weekend. How are you going to feel on the third day of walking?
-Paul
45 minutes - Wow! Well done! I don't think I ever cracked the hour mark maybe not even the hour and ten minute mark, even in my long, long gone brown-haired days. I agree, the Grind is far more extreme than anything you would need to do to prepare for the camino but something less intense but of the same flavour once a week combined with longer walks on more moderate surfaces done for a month or two prior to the camino would be good physical prep for a first-time peregrino. And I believe the uphill component is very important. Okay, no more beating a dead horse!I like your post Gillean, but I would caution local pilgrims that the Grind is NOT the standard to judge your readiness for a Camino. As you know, there is nothing on the Camino with the same sustained intensity as the Grind, and for people who are not very fit, its a bad place to start training. When I had brown hair I could do it in 45 minutes. These days, I am not even sure I would attempt it, but I can still walk the Camino with comfort. All that said, the Grind is a great place to build up your cardio!
Actually there is training for uneven terrain .... I live up the mountain in Costa Rica.... no even terrain up here!Why would you want to be able to walk 15 miles in 4 hours. Walk at your normal rythm. 3km a hour is just fine. You are aiming for double that. Deep breath, it will be ok, except for the pain in your feet because of the uneven terrain, and there is no training for that.
My boots walked half Appalachian Trail, around 1700 km and I only changed the heles.After 700 miles in those boots while training, did you have to buy another for the actual Camino?
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