psychoticparrot
psychoticparrot
- Time of past OR future Camino
- April, May (2017)
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Welcome to the Forum!
Do scan the many topics offered here filled with helpful tips for planning your camino.
One very useful resource especially for those of us who are over 60 is this resource.
Carpe diem and Buen camino!
Yes, I agree @psychoticparrot - training and getting yourself fit enough to finish the walk will be life changers for you, as it was for me 15 years ago. That first camino broke the bad patterns I had fallen into, I lost weight and have continued to do so ever since. Preparing for the camino was in itself a major part of the process, because I knew if I had to get at least reasonably fit. I am now, at over 60, fitter than when I was half this age.
I also started my "getting fit" routine by going to a gym and using the cross-trainer, which I found was gentle on my knees. At first I could only do 5 minutes at a time, but I gradually increased the time until I could do an hour (or more). It happens. Same with walking. Start with short easy distances, and gradually increase them. Get yourself a Fitbit or something similar, so you can see your progress. I would listen to audio books, music, anything to keep me happy until I actually started to enjoy it! Amazing.
My one bit of advice is when you do walk the Camino (and even in the planning) don't skip bits after you start walking. It does not matter where you start, but once you do, keep walking. If you need to rest and recover, sit out a day or two, sitting in the plaza, drinking coffee and watching the world go by, but don't hop on a bus. Once you do it destroys the impetus to "walk every step" and it gets too easy to keep going on motorised transport. There is also intense satisfaction in knowing you "did it all, every inch". To do this, it is important to leave yourself plenty of time to complete the walk.
Roncesvales is a great starting point; you can arrive in time for the traditional pilgrim blessing in the church at the evening service, stay in the albergue overnight, and set out with all the other pilgrims the next morning.
Hi -- I have not yet walked the Camino, but I will in 32 days. I am old (70), and have been both fit and unfit in my life, so would like to share a few thoughts. As far as general fitness goes, I work out in a local senior center which has strength and balance training aimed at seniors. The pace is slower, but I have experienced a lot of improvement participating (and enjoyment!) Second, I would like to recommend the book "Slackpacking the Camino Frances" by Silvia Nilsen. She has recommended "stages" for people who only want to walk 10-15K a day and one even shorter for those only going from Sarria. This would not make you a "turigrino," in my opinion. All of us have to be realists both about our goals and about our bodies. I like your idea of swimming for fitness. As for walking, many do not use hiking boots on the Camino, but in terms of getting fit why not walk increasing distances in the shoes that are most comfortable for your feet? The same with backpack, don't start now but do exercises to build up your core(think pilates) and your overall strength. I wish you well, and think you can do this, but hope you will consider allowing yourself to go shorter distances, take more time, and allow yourself to plan your Camino from where you are. You will probably have a better idea of this as you start getting fit.
Please please please remember to stretch stretch stretch stretch. That will keep you both from getting hurt. Then I would recommend a couple months of low calorie diet and steadily increase in walking every other week. Start at like 3-5 kms every other day for a couple weeks, then go to nearly every day for a few weeks, then go to 5-7 kms every other day for a couple weeks, etc. Once you get to being able to do 12-15 kms every few days start adding packs on your back... after a few weeks add weight to them (clothes, water etc). Once you can do that regularly you can pretty much do the Camino.
Thank you! I've been saying to my husband, "Well, if any particular day gets tough, we'll call a cab." Apparently, not a good idea if it can be avoided. Thanks.
But you still have an additional 5 months in which to train.We've decided that if we don't reach a level of fitness by the end of October that will enable us to do the Camino in relative ease, we probably won't attempt it at all.
At the risk of being labeled "turigrinos," we're also considering skipping the Pyrenees and starting in Roncesvalles, having our packs transported, staying in private accommodations or hotels; in short, doing whatever it takes to walk the Camino and get to Santiago without becoming complete physical wrecks.
Thanks.
I also recommend this podcast, for the very same reasons, even though I can and do hike the Appalachians. (Can't help it, see my attached picture of me onIf you don't already speak Spanish, you can pick up some by listening to lessons as you walk or train at the gym. It's useful and helps alleviate the boredom of hours on exercise machines or repeatedly walking the same streets, if you can't always be hiking in the Appalachians. I can recommend these free audio lessons which you can download from the site or iTunes:
http://radiolingua.com/coffeebreakspanish/
But you still have an additional 5 months in which to train.
If you don't already speak Spanish, you can pick up some by listening to lessons as you walk or train at the gym. It's useful and helps alleviate the boredom of hours on exercise machines or repeatedly walking the same streets, if you can't always be hiking in the Appalachians. I can recommend these free audio lessons which you can download from the site or iTunes:
http://radiolingua.com/coffeebreakspanish/
It sounds as though you know exactly what to do. Just do it. Start your training. No excuses. This could be a life changer for you both. Buen Camino!
It sounds as though you know exactly what to do. Just do it. Start your training. No excuses. This could be a life changer for you both. Buen Camino!
I'm Nicaraguan!! HOW COOL IS IT that you have been there for a few months!The past 3 months in Nicaragua have improved my Spanish proficiency, but I need more work before I can say I speak Spanish with any fluency. And by all accounts, Spanish in Spain is quite a bit different from Spanish in Nicaragua. Another thing to work on in addition to the physical aspects.
I'm Nicaraguan!! HOW COOL IS IT that you have been there for a few months!
So much wise and wonderful advice from experienced walkers here. Can't add too much except to ask if you have considered some cross training? I've been recovering from a foot fracture and have spent a lot of time in the swimming pool during my rehab, a lot of that walking in water with an aqua belt which built up strength, endurance and fitness without straining my joints too much.
Buen Camino!
I agree with those that have said to get used to walking locally! 40+ years ago when I didn't own a car I thought nothing of packing my laundry in my backpack, hiking to the laundrymat, buying groceries, visiting the library and stopping for a tea somewhere. Walking the entire time, always with a load. And sounds like a Camino day doesn't it. Owning a car ruined those great walking habits I had!
Well - the first thing - toughen-up your "tenderfeet"!! The weight loss is fantastic and even without the camino it will improve your lives (imho).
As Kanga and mspath have suggested start slowly over the next 3-4 months. The experiences from Nicaragua will stand you in good stead. The "fitbit" (or similar) will provide the measure of steps taken/miles(km) travelled each day, you will be surprised at how many steps you take each day. From the comments about medication you seem to have a good relation with the family doctor - keep her/him informed of your activities so your progress can be measured. Speak to your senior friends about a gym/training facility in your local area that has activities designed for us over 60's.
Once on camino don't worry if you have to use the "backpack forwarding" system if you need to, they are designed to help you whilst you get road fit. Also build into your schedule rest days/half days. Places like Pamplona/Burgos/Leon are well worth a day of so to explore and take in their cultural offerings. (Whilst it is not a serious training guide the Martin Shean/Emilio Estevez movie The Way does show some of these cultural places). Also have time at the end of your camino to take-in Santiago - two or three days if possible!
So now get that mental fitness going and look forward to your (northern) Spring 2017 when you will be enjoying the flowers of northern Spain. Buen Camino.
Great ideas! and that is exactly what I did also...when I first started walking I only did 1 mile, then 2 and when I got to 3 (5km) I thought OMGoodness this is HARD and had to go home and take a nap! but then I started walking to the grocery store and carrying some groceries back (my granddaughter thought I was crazy!) it is 2.5 miles there and 2.5 back. Then walked to the post office...walked to the mall...walked to my meetings...walked to events (if they weren't really far away) and NOW....I am up to 15 miles (around 25 km) WITH a 20 lb pack!(just did 15 yesterday and 15 today - somebody earlier in this thread mentioned digging deep ~ that was exactly what I had texted a friend "I really had to dig deep today!" I don't know why it was so much harder today, probably cuz I am breaking in my hiking sandals. Brand new Keen Newport H2! they are great. Anyway I agree with OP's statement about the motivation. If I am not REALLY motivated it's not gonna happen. And I want/need/must do this camino and so I am super motivated to do it. I also prayed that I would stick to my training and get in shape.
And it's also true ~ we are stronger than we think! But for me it didn't happen overnight.
I also think that it's beneficial for our kids and grandkids to see us investing in ourselves and that walking IS GOOD FOR YOU and not something to shy away from.
Stick with it, you can do it!!
Thanks for reminding me how much motivation our children and grandchildren can provide!
Do everything you think you should do - and add toe lifts. When you're standing in line somewhere or getting up from the TV to go to the bathroom or whatever, do a quick 20 (just stand up on your tip toes and lower yourself back and up again). Helps balance and strengthens calves and ankles. I am not good about training but I do this and when I am on the Camino I am so...SO...glad I do!
Hi psychoticparrot,
There are two upgrade much more difficult than the Pyrenees, Foncebadon and O Celebrio. I recommend you to walk Pyrenees as test. If you pass well the Pyrenees you will pass Camino.
Bota
Hi psychoticparrot,
others have given good advice, I'm write about upgrade. By the way, I'm 65 and I start my first Camino at May 22 from SJPP.
There are two upgrade much more difficult than the Pyrenees, Foncebadon and O Celebrio. I recommend you to walk Pyrenees as test. If you pass well the Pyrenees you will pass Camino.
Bota
Hello, all. My husband and I are both 64, in relative good health, are complete tenderfoots, have never done any serious walking or hiking in our lives ... and yet we both greatly desire to walk the Camino next year in April and May.
We've been in Managua, Nicaragua, for the past 3 months and will go back to Baltimore MD in two weeks. To give you an idea of our level of (un)fitness, we walk nearly every day in 85-95-degree F (30-35C) heat about 3-4 kms to get groceries and go to restaurants. No problems (no packs either). We tested ourselves last week by walking uphill on the main road out of Managua (a mild incline) just to see how far we could go (no packs, just us). We got about 5 kms before flagging down a taxi to take us back to our hotel. Took a day or two to recover from that exertion. So you can see we have some work cut out for us before April 2017.
Between us, we have a variety of ailments that have the potential to become serious if we're not careful -- asthma, moderate obesity (I had bariatric surgery last year and have lost 110 pounds (50Kg) with another 50 (22Kg) to go; my husband needs to lose about 60 pounds (27Kg), coronary heart stents, mild sleep apnea (both of us use CPAPs). We both have prescription maintenance medications that must be taken daily.
My question is this: With a whole year to prepare for the Camino, where, when and how should we begin to get in shape? We're thinking of starting with weight training at a gym, swimming and walking to strengthen heart and lungs, buying backpacks (and weighting them) and hiking boots and driving to the nearby Appalachians to do some weekend hikes. Does this sound like a good plan?
At the risk of being labeled "turigrinos," we're also considering skipping the Pyrenees and starting in Roncesvalles, having our packs transported, staying in private accommodations or hotels; in short, doing whatever it takes to walk the Camino and get to Santiago without becoming complete physical wrecks.
We may be in our 60s, but we're babes in the woods when it comes to knowing the best way to get fit enough to do the Camino. We've decided that if we don't reach a level of fitness by the end of October that will enable us to do the Camino in relative ease, we probably won't attempt it at all.
Any and all advice welcome. Young 'uns, please remember that being in one's 60s means we cannot simply jump into vigorous physical routines that you can do with ease. With age comes joint wear, much greater susceptibility to injury, much longer healing times and much less stamina in general. We have to start gently and work up to tougher programs, especially since we've never been very active during our entire adult lives. Thanks.
With a whole year to prepare for the Camino, where, when and how should we begin to get in shape?
Im over 70 now and am still suprised by the "get outs" so many people look for. Try no taxis, no tour company keep your own load light and just like the program from the 60's be a "tumble -weed", meet people, enjoy the moment, move on.I like Kanga's advice a lot. Not intending to get any fights started, but I do think that one of the downsides of the "it's your Camino" mantra has been to remove any sense of personal challenge, which may not be essential but surely adds to the enjoyment. Sure you can take a taxi for kms and kms and kms, it's your Camino, but maybe you can also walk for kms and kms and kms. I'm certainly not advocating that you put yourself in danger of physical harm, but I think that for those of us in the US at least, we are used to so many easy work-arounds to any physical challenge that we are not used to digging deep to keep going. For me, one of the real unanticipated benefits of the Camino has been a big change in my level of physical activity at home. When I look back and remember that I used to drive 1.8 miles to get to work I realize how easy it is to get in a different routine with a little bit of effort. And the Camino taught me that!
It's of course a totally personal decision about how much you want to push yourself, but I think that lots of peregrinos would be surprised at how much they have in the tank when the going gets tough! Buen camino, Laurie
My very best friend is only a few months older than me. He could not even walk up an aircraft steps, so we all have our own caminos. With his poorly acting heart we walked round churches in France and Germany as part of a bus tour. We light our candles and prayed with our wives, then he walked and talked in the villages while still with health I walked and prayed in the hills. (walk in the graveyard and what do you spy? Many poor souls that were younger than thy.)Im over 70 now and am still suprised by the "get outs" so many people look for. Try no taxis, no tour company keep your own load light and just like the program from the 60's be a "tumble -weed", meet people, enjoy the moment, move on.
Another thing to keep in mind is that on the Camino you have a specific destination. You're not just out for a stroll - you are going to the next albuergue. For me this makes a huge difference. I move faster and with a good deal more purpose than I do when I am walking around the hood. Don't judge your ability too harshly!
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