jgiesbrecht
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances, Fisterra, Muxia Sept-Oct 2020
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How much time do you have to do the Camino? I have seen many people who looked rather unfit start in St Jean and make it to Santiago, so if you have enough time, you can do it, even with minimal training. Just don't push yourself the first week or so. Lots of people "train" on the Camino. That said, I think that you will enjoy it more if you are in better shape. If the gym membership will motivate you, then I'd say do it. Improving your cardiovascular fitness will really help with walking up hills!Has anyone else really struggled with motivating themselves to get active before their walk? I work a driving job, and many days probably don't even hit 2 miles a day because of it. In September I did really good, walking 4 or 5 miles multiple times a week, but then the past 6 weeks I've just sucked again. I fly out 17 weeks from today, and hoping to do CF from St Jean and include Fisterra and Muxia. I'm sure the weather change and less light outside haven't helped lately. I also know I don't need to overdo training, but I definitely need to get more consistently active. I am overweight, no surprise there. I even considered a gym membership for 4 months because there's one minutes away and it would get me at a consistent pace and things, but not worth the cost for a short term. I don't have the luxury of rest days, etc once I'm there. My flights are fixed, and I know I need to train now so that I'm not miserable there. So, all that being said, this isn't a question for those of you in good shape, consistently active, etc. For anyone who struggled before the camino, how did you get through in preparation?
Very well said. Great advice.I do not know if 'struggle' is the right word for me, but I hate working out. I do it at least 5 days a week, but I do not enjoy it. How do I motivate myself to go? I just start heading out the door. . . I know once I start, that it is my nature to keep going until I finish. So I do not think of anything about how long the workout will take, what I will be doing, how the workout will feel. . . I just focus on walking out the door and getting in the car to drive to nearby trailhead.
Keep in mind that doing a Camino is also a mental challenge to get going day after day: when the weather is bad, you are sooooo tired from a bad night's sleep, your feet hurt, your GI system is acting up, 'Santiago is still HOW far away', you have a head cold, etc, etc. . .
So, this phase of motivating yourself to workout is also good training to develop the mental discipline that will help motivate you to keep walking when ON Camino.
That's a pretty ambitious schedule. Please don't be disappointed if you just make it to Santiago, and not Finisterre/Muxia.Godwilling I will go SJPDP to Santiago in 32 days, and then Santiago to Fisterra to Muxia in 6, then the next day get a ride back to Santiago and fly out the following. So hopefully 38 days for the full walk.
I agree with those who comment that, if you have time to train on the Camino, you'll be okay, but if you're on a tight time schedule, you run the risk of injuring yourself early on if you are badly out of shape and rushing. It's worth getting your cardio fitness up to snuff beforehand, even if you can't walk long distances! Everything hurt for the first two weeks for me, then stopped hurting, which was paradise. And I'd been doing a lot of cardio work.Has anyone else really struggled with motivating themselves to get active before their walk? I work a driving job, and many days probably don't even hit 2 miles a day because of it. In September I did really good, walking 4 or 5 miles multiple times a week, but then the past 6 weeks I've just sucked again. I fly out 17 weeks from today, and hoping to do CF from St Jean and include Fisterra and Muxia. I'm sure the weather change and less light outside haven't helped lately. I also know I don't need to overdo training, but I definitely need to get more consistently active. I am overweight, no surprise there. I even considered a gym membership for 4 months because there's one minutes away and it would get me at a consistent pace and things, but not worth the cost for a short term. I don't have the luxury of rest days, etc once I'm there. My flights are fixed, and I know I need to train now so that I'm not miserable there. So, all that being said, this isn't a question for those of you in good shape, consistently active, etc. For anyone who struggled before the camino, how did you get through in preparation?
I'M agreeIn my opinion, the motivation would come from knowing that one can enjoy the whole Camino experience that much better if one is not worried about fitness. So why not remove that possible obstacle to what can be a great great experience. Wishing you a wonderful time.
I work a driving job, and many days probably don't even hit 2 miles a day because of it.
There is nothing magical about starting at Saint-Jean. My suggestion is start from Logrono (a good transport hub). You will have one slightly challenging pull up a hill a day or so before Burgos.
I'd start in Pamplona--easy to get to, lots of albergues afterwards to make stages of any length. If you body is feeling great, keep walking, if it is tired, take a short day. I would also make Fisterre contingent and not a goal; SdC is a great city.
The first step is always the hardest.Has anyone else really struggled with motivating themselves to get active before their walk? I work a driving job, and many days probably don't even hit 2 miles a day because of it. In September I did really good, walking 4 or 5 miles multiple times a week, but then the past 6 weeks I've just sucked again. I fly out 17 weeks from today, and hoping to do CF from St Jean and include Fisterra and Muxia. I'm sure the weather change and less light outside haven't helped lately. I also know I don't need to overdo training, but I definitely need to get more consistently active. I am overweight, no surprise there. I even considered a gym membership for 4 months because there's one minutes away and it would get me at a consistent pace and things, but not worth the cost for a short term. I don't have the luxury of rest days, etc once I'm there. My flights are fixed, and I know I need to train now so that I'm not miserable there. So, all that being said, this isn't a question for those of you in good shape, consistently active, etc. For anyone who struggled before the camino, how did you get through in preparation?
Has anyone else really struggled with motivating themselves to get active before their walk? I work a driving job, and many days probably don't even hit 2 miles a day because of it. In September I did really good, walking 4 or 5 miles multiple times a week, but then the past 6 weeks I've just sucked again. I fly out 17 weeks from today, and hoping to do CF from St Jean and include Fisterra and Muxia. I'm sure the weather change and less light outside haven't helped lately. I also know I don't need to overdo training, but I definitely need to get more consistently active. I am overweight, no surprise there. I even considered a gym membership for 4 months because there's one minutes away and it would get me at a consistent pace and things, but not worth the cost for a short term. I don't have the luxury of rest days, etc once I'm there. My flights are fixed, and I know I need to train now so that I'm not miserable there. So, all that being said, this isn't a question for those of you in good shape, consistently active, etc. For anyone who struggled before the camino, how did you get through in preparation?
HiThe first step is always the hardest.
Hi there and the best of luck with your walk next year. For me the only useful training has been walking. It really is just a matter of putting the Kms/miles in. It combines 2 good disciplines. The first is getting your body used to the repetition involved in consecutive long walks - it also prepares your feet and ankles for the horrific abuse which you are about to put them through - very important; and the second is forcing yourself to do something when you would really rather do something else. The other great thing about walking a lot before you go is that allows you to assess whether your footwear is up to the job because if you get blisters or other problems training then you really need to think of other options.Has anyone else really struggled with motivating themselves to get active before their walk? I work a driving job, and many days probably don't even hit 2 miles a day because of it. In September I did really good, walking 4 or 5 miles multiple times a week, but then the past 6 weeks I've just sucked again. I fly out 17 weeks from today, and hoping to do CF from St Jean and include Fisterra and Muxia. I'm sure the weather change and less light outside haven't helped lately. I also know I don't need to overdo training, but I definitely need to get more consistently active. I am overweight, no surprise there. I even considered a gym membership for 4 months because there's one minutes away and it would get me at a consistent pace and things, but not worth the cost for a short term. I don't have the luxury of rest days, etc once I'm there. My flights are fixed, and I know I need to train now so that I'm not miserable there. So, all that being said, this isn't a question for those of you in good shape, consistently active, etc. For anyone who struggled before the camino, how did you get through in preparation?
my best training motivation was the fear of failure
I watched a ton of camino videos on YouTube. The scenery and the history behind it was all the motivation I needed.Has anyone else really struggled with motivating themselves to get active before their walk? I work a driving job, and many days probably don't even hit 2 miles a day because of it. In September I did really good, walking 4 or 5 miles multiple times a week, but then the past 6 weeks I've just sucked again. I fly out 17 weeks from today, and hoping to do CF from St Jean and include Fisterra and Muxia. I'm sure the weather change and less light outside haven't helped lately. I also know I don't need to overdo training, but I definitely need to get more consistently active. I am overweight, no surprise there. I even considered a gym membership for 4 months because there's one minutes away and it would get me at a consistent pace and things, but not worth the cost for a short term. I don't have the luxury of rest days, etc once I'm there. My flights are fixed, and I know I need to train now so that I'm not miserable there. So, all that being said, this isn't a question for those of you in good shape, consistently active, etc. For anyone who struggled before the camino, how did you get through in preparation?
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