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Thank you Anamya, I am walking daily in my shoes just not the distance I had hoped. Thanks for the encouragement! JillHi jkberry!
5 miles sounds pretty good to me for the first days, while your body is getting used to the trail. Naturally you will slowly be able to go further and further. And if you found a good pack and shoes, great! I'd suggest using the shoes as much as you can before you go, so they get well adapted to your feet, and carry the backpack when possible.
Everything else is not a matter of worry - you do not have any set stages or obligations to anyone, so just walk as much as you feel like, and stop when you feel tired. Do not push yourself and take you time. If you are looking at a guide book, please note that the suggested stages are exactly that: suggested. You walk and stop when you decide, because this is your camino, ok?
Have a great journey, peregrina!
Don't worry about it too much. Lots of people walk the Camino with zero training. Are you starting at SJPDP? If so, have you booked at Orisson to break up that first stage?
And for the training that you can do - focus on hills as much as possible.
Don't think of the Camino as a targeted exercise. It's not a race! I too am probably not as prepared as I would like and I too have not booked a return ticket - so, what's your rush?Hello all, I am booked to walk the CF in September and am way behind on training for ever so many reasons. I am now a bit concerned about how I am going to fare, since the month in front of me looks bad for training too (lots of unexpected major life events and 100* weather). I can go very slowly, I have all the time I need and a one way ticket. I am 61, previously fit, not so much now but can do 5 miles easily. Have finally found my proper shoes and pack. I know it would be much better if I had months of training with my pack but sadly that is not going to happen. This is my chance to go. I guess I just need support here because it does not appear I am going to change my mind about going. I really need to do this, and now.
Booked at Orisson on Sept 11. Maybe I will see some of you along the way.
If any of you have tips on how to manage this situation I am in I would love to hear them.
To which user name would you like responses?
I have seen a lot of people walking without training. The biggest mistake a lot of those people made was to try and keep up with the ones that did train before theor Camino or where more fit. The result was a lot of pain and broken spirits. So my advice is: don't attach yourself to anyone too much that you can't go your own pace. There are nice people starting every day and it is so easy to connect to people on the Camino that you can always find someone to talk to. Make it an experience you can enjoy all parts of!
You sound really prepared and I hope this weekend goes really well! Thanks for sharing.Just be thankful that you are able to walk at all and that you have the means to get out to Spain. I'm sure that all of us would like to be physically fitter than we are at any one moment in time. I'm 65. I believe that as long as you are positive mentally and that you really really want to do the Camino then the rest of the body will follow. Just take it steady at first. I commence my 1st Camino (Frances) on Sept 22. I too have a one way ticket at the moment. This arrangement allows me to take as long as I feel it necessary for a successful outcome. I estimate it'll take between 5 to 6 weeks. I have been training with full pack for quite some time. I know I can do 20 miles on hilly terrain in quite warm temperatures with no problems. But I haven't yet been able to test my stamina by being able to go out on the day after the 20 mile walk nor the day after that as the temperatures here in the UK have been over 30 centigrade for the last couple of weeks. So my training plan has been affected too. The weather forecast predicts a 'cooler' spell this coming weekend so I plan to walk on the coming Saturday/Sunday/Monday. It'll be the first time that I'd have walked on 3 successive days.
Good Luck with it all.
My name is JillFrom aceace:
Hello all, I am booked to walk the CF in September and am way behind on training for ever so many reasons. I am now a bit concerned about how I am going to fare, since the month in front of me looks bad for training too (lots of unexpected major life events and 100* weather). I can go very slowly, I have all the time I need and a one way ticket. I am 61, previously fit, not so much now but can do 5 miles easily. Have finally found my proper shoes and pack. I know it would be much better if I had months of training with my pack but sadly that is not going to happen. This is my chance to go. I guess I just need support here because it does not appear I am going to change my mind about going. I really need to do this, and now.
Booked at Orisson on Sept 11. Maybe I will see some of you along the way.
To which user name would you like responses?
Considering the heat I would do a bit of swimming and some yoga indoors for endurance core strength. It may not help as much as it would do some trekking but it will help you to focus on the Camino.
Have a great Camino!
One extra bit of advice, forget the Brierley stages. As others have said, walk your pace. I’d say the first ten days are where your body adjusts to the daily walking. Don’t stretch your stops during that time if you can help it. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people tell stories of having all sorts of aches and pains during the first ten days that just magically went away. That is what happened to me. I struggled into Viana, with hips that were screaming at me to stop, which I did. I checked myself into a hotel (one of only three times), soaked in a hot tub, slept like a baby, and got up the next day feeling like a million bucks. From there on out I had no significant physical issues.
If you've got all the time you need and a one way ticket, I wouldn't worry about it. When I walked from Roncesvalles to Finisterre in 2016, I had ZERO training before I left. I was in my 50s and I have a full time, very sedentary job, so I wouldn't have called myself someone who was very fit.Hello all, I am booked to walk the CF in September and am way behind on training for ever so many reasons. I am now a bit concerned about how I am going to fare, since the month in front of me looks bad for training too (lots of unexpected major life events and 100* weather). I can go very slowly, I have all the time I need and a one way ticket. I am 61, previously fit, not so much now but can do 5 miles easily. Have finally found my proper shoes and pack. I know it would be much better if I had months of training with my pack but sadly that is not going to happen. This is my chance to go. I guess I just need support here because it does not appear I am going to change my mind about going. I really need to do this, and now.
Booked at Orisson on Sept 11. Maybe I will see some of you along the way.
If any of you have tips on how to manage this situation I am in I would love to hear them.
Hello all, I am booked to walk the CF in September and am way behind on training for ever so many reasons. I am now a bit concerned about how I am going to fare, since the month in front of me looks bad for training too (lots of unexpected major life events and 100* weather). I can go very slowly, I have all the time I need and a one way ticket. I am 61, previously fit, not so much now but can do 5 miles easily. Have finally found my proper shoes and pack. I know it would be much better if I had months of training with my pack but sadly that is not going to happen. This is my chance to go. I guess I just need support here because it does not appear I am going to change my mind about going. I really need to do this, and now.
Booked at Orisson on Sept 11. Maybe I will see some of you along the way.
If any of you have tips on how to manage this situation I am in I would love to hear them.
Change the age and Im in exactly the same boat!!!
I suspect every one wishes they were more prepared, fitter, thinner, younger etc...
maybe thats all part of the process- facing our fears, doubts and worries and going any ways!!
You will be fine because you are going and thats a wonderful thing.
wether you walk 5 km, 10km, or 35 km in a day it doesn't matter- you will be on your camino!!
Woulda , coulda shoulda......Buen Camino!!!
I walked from Leon last year with no training. I had surgery on a couple of toes and wasn't permitted to walk until about a week before flight. I didn't go far each day, but i did it just fine. And you will too. The important thing is to go! walk the distance you can and stop for the night! overdoing a few days meant i needed a day off the next day. And pack weight! Get it down. Weigh your stuff. One to wear and one spare and the bare minimum. Folks wear t-shirt and underwear to bed: don't take a nightgown, don't take anything extra. Spare trousers and shirt, maybe 3 underwear, bra or bralet if required, 3 socks [i used good wool ones] and the minimum of toiletries [toothbrush, paste, and bar of shampoo double purpose soap (cut it in half and then quarters if possible- take only half in two pieces] and meds. A spork and plastic camping cup are handy for when albergie has no dishes. Also to eat lunch. Check the list of stuff required on this forum. Ship your extra stuff ahead for flight home.Hello all, I am booked to walk the CF in September and am way behind on training for ever so many reasons. I am now a bit concerned about how I am going to fare, since the month in front of me looks bad for training too (lots of unexpected major life events and 100* weather). I can go very slowly, I have all the time I need and a one way ticket. I am 61, previously fit, not so much now but can do 5 miles easily. Have finally found my proper shoes and pack. I know it would be much better if I had months of training with my pack but sadly that is not going to happen. This is my chance to go. I guess I just need support here because it does not appear I am going to change my mind about going. I really need to do this, and now.
Booked at Orisson on Sept 11. Maybe I will see some of you along the way.
If any of you have tips on how to manage this situation I am in I would love to hear them.
You're 200% correct. Right up to the moment of my departure I'll be wondering whether I've got the right gear, whether the rucksack is too heavy, whether the bed bugs will get me, whether I'll have any health problems, etc etc. So can't wait to get away and get started. If nothing else us humans are an adaptable species having survived 2 million years of existence on the planet. And when we come together as a community we should be greater than the sum of our component parts. I feel sure that the camaraderie that I'll encounter will be a great source of information, help and encouragement in times of need. Add a good dollop of Good Humour and Good Luck all should turn out fine.
Being relatively fit for our ages (60yrs old), we decided in 2015 to do the Camino, leaving April 2016. Life got in the way and by the end of Feb our fitness level was at its worst. We seriously considered cancelling. The light-bulb moment came when we decided that we could train along the Way. Take it easy, listen to our bodies, stop and smell the roses etc. We hurt doing the Pyrenees, rested and healed in Pamplona, had a couple more rest and heal stops in Burgos and Leon. Our instinct to 'just do it' morphed into the often heard phrase along the Way. It was our Camino, we did it our way. Having said this, the one bit of preparation that should not be ignored is your footwear. Find the right fit and break them in before you embark. Everything else will work itself out if you just let it. Its Your Camino - Do It Your WayHello all, I am booked to walk the CF in September and am way behind on training for ever so many reasons. I am now a bit concerned about how I am going to fare, since the month in front of me looks bad for training too (lots of unexpected major life events and 100* weather). I can go very slowly, I have all the time I need and a one way ticket. I am 61, previously fit, not so much now but can do 5 miles easily. Have finally found my proper shoes and pack. I know it would be much better if I had months of training with my pack but sadly that is not going to happen. This is my chance to go. I guess I just need support here because it does not appear I am going to change my mind about going. I really need to do this, and now.
Booked at Orisson on Sept 11. Maybe I will see some of you along the way.
If any of you have tips on how to manage this situation I am in I would love to hear them.
Being relatively fit for our ages (60yrs old), we decided in 2015 to do the Camino, leaving April 2016. Life got in the way and by the end of Feb our fitness level was at its worst. We seriously considered cancelling. The light-bulb moment came when we decided that we could train along the Way. Take it easy, listen to our bodies, stop and smell the roses etc. We hurt doing the Pyrenees, rested and healed in Pamplona, had a couple more rest and heal stops in Burgos and Leon. Our instinct to 'just do it' morphed into the often heard phrase along the Way. It was our Camino, we did it our way. Having said this, the one bit of preparation that should not be ignored is your footwear. Find the right fit and break them in before you embark. Everything else will work itself out if you just let it. Its Your Camino - Do It Your Way
Not sure if anyone mentioned this but you might want to send your pack ahead to Orrison and then the next day to Roncevalles. Lots of us do so for these two sections. You do not have to decide till you get to St Jean...
Not sure if anyone mentioned this but you might want to send your pack ahead to Orrison and then the next day to Roncevalles. Lots of us do so for these two sections. You do not have to decide till you get to St Jean...
I'll be two days behind you so walk slow, smell the roses and I'll look forward to meeting you soon!
Boy I can relate to all of this. And I am buying a house in another state this month, so I am wackadoodle. If I get there that will be good. Thanks!i have decided that the more time I have before I leave ( 27 days!) the crazier I am getting. I keep buying " better stuff" more stuff, stuff I might need, should have. What about this....how about that....??? I just need to go already!!!
Think about it. Plan a huge epic trip for a year....internet searches, bookings, daydreaming....dont get me started on the lists!!! Crazy!
BUT..... I had a friend with an empty paid for house in the Italian alps with his families paid for air tickets offered to me and my family ( due to emergency). Guess what - five people out the door and to the airport in about 8 hours. Everything was fine. No lists.
JUST GOOOOOOOOO!
All great info about going at your own pace, etc. I’ll add two cents, compliments of an anonymous Frenchman I met hiking the TMB last year when, admittedly, I wasn’t as conditioned as I had hoped. On day one we were on a particularly long uphill slog (hiking up a mountain) and I was stopping frequently to catch my breath. “Madam, you are breathing hard!,” said Anonymous Frenchman, “You must make smaller steps!,” he added. When I said I couldn’t go any slower he said, “No, not slower! Baby steps!” He demonstrated putting his heal down just in front of his toe, taking tiny steps. To my amazement, this technique allowed me to continue the steep ascent without breathing breaks. Also, you are used to Colorado mountains so your body’s muscle memory will probably have you catch up to speed pretty quickly! If you are interested, other advice I have found to be invaluable: 1) generous vasoline on my feet stopped blister progression, 2) a podiatrist suggested to pull out my socks past my foot just before putting on my shoes to create a cushion between the tops of my toes and shoes. The latter seems like it would be uncomfortable but just the opposite. Buen Camino!
Consider using your comfortable well fitted backpack, but send heavy items ahead in a small compressible bag. Regardless osmf how much weight you are carrying your backpack should have a hip belt and sternum strap to carry it comfortably.I did not think of that but I will do that. Have a small daypack I can use.
Not sure if anyone mentioned this but you might want to send your pack ahead to Orrison and then the next day to Roncevalles. Lots of us do so for these two sections. You do not have to decide till you get to St Jean...
I think you'll be fine. I'm having difficulty getting quality training in outside because it's been either 100+ degrees and sweltering or pouring rain here for months. I have been going to the gym to walk the treadmill , but I think the most important piece of advice I can give you is to learn a few core strengthening exercises that you can do in your home every time you get a few minutes. I've always done pilates in the past while training and have found that a good strong core/back/shoulders are infinitely more important than the walking legs. If you can squeeze in a class or two to learn the basics and be diligent about doing it at home, I think you'll be okay. You have the luxury of walking at your own pace. You will build your stamina along the way. The other piece is posture....always be mindful of your shoulders being over your hips, over your knees, inline....don't walk like cromagnon man with your pack...you can practice posture now. Buen Camino !Hello all, I am booked to walk the CF in September and am way behind on training for ever so many reasons. I am now a bit concerned about how I am going to fare, since the month in front of me looks bad for training too (lots of unexpected major life events and 100* weather). I can go very slowly, I have all the time I need and a one way ticket. I am 61, previously fit, not so much now but can do 5 miles easily. Have finally found my proper shoes and pack. I know it would be much better if I had months of training with my pack but sadly that is not going to happen. This is my chance to go. I guess I just need support here because it does not appear I am going to change my mind about going. I really need to do this, and now.
Booked at Orisson on Sept 11. Maybe I will see some of you along the way.
If any of you have tips on how to manage this situation I am in I would love to hear them.
Consider using your comfortable well fitted backpack, but send heavy items ahead in a small compressible bag. Regardless osmf how much weight you are carrying your backpack should have a hip belt and sternum strap to carry it comfortably.[/QUOTE
Such a good idea! Thank you. Jill
Thank you Anamya, I am walking daily in my shoes just not the distance I had hoped. Thanks for the encouragement! Jill
You are NOT yet *another* Jill? I'm used to being the only one around and there are like 40 of us in this forum.
(or at LEAST four)
You are NOT yet *another* Jill? I'm used to being the only one around and there are like 40 of us in this forum.
(or at LEAST four)
Important tip for Jills going to Spain: Our name is unpronounceable in Spanish. HOWEVER if you spell it Xil, they will pronounce it perfectly. It's a town in Galicia and is exactly how they say it.View attachment 44845
Hi jkberry (Jill), I am also booked in orrison on the 11th Sept and like yourself have not done the training i would like. This is my second camino last time ifinished in Burgos so have some idea of what to expect. Im from Australia its winter here so long distance walks are not to appealing in high winds and lots of rain. But my boots have lots of km and are well worn in and i have had my pack for many years. All good advice above and my plan is to go slow and walk my pace. No attachments and I actually enjoy walking alone anyway for reflection and meditation. Also to stop half way through the walking day to take boots off and air feet out. I will look for you at the communal dinner and say hi. Buen Camino
Don't think of the Camino as a targeted exercise. It's not a race! I too am probably not as prepared as I would like and I too have not booked a return ticket - so, what's your rush?
Five miles with pack and footware is a pretty good start I would say. And yes it is the biggest physical challange that we have yet to face but if you really want to do it - you can and will.
God speed.
This is me too - much appreciated!Thank you Anamya, I am walking daily in my shoes just not the distance I had hoped. Thanks for the encouragement! Jill
Take your rucksack when you go shopping. Put your groceries in it. Get the feel of the weight. Don’t pack too much clothing. You can always buy the odd tee shirt...Hello all, I am booked to walk the CF in September and am way behind on training for ever so many reasons. I am now a bit concerned about how I am going to fare, since the month in front of me looks bad for training too (lots of unexpected major life events and 100* weather). I can go very slowly, I have all the time I need and a one way ticket. I am 61, previously fit, not so much now but can do 5 miles easily. Have finally found my proper shoes and pack. I know it would be much better if I had months of training with my pack but sadly that is not going to happen. This is my chance to go. I guess I just need support here because it does not appear I am going to change my mind about going. I really need to do this, and now.
Booked at Orisson on Sept 11. Maybe I will see some of you along the way.
If any of you have tips on how to manage this situation I am in I would love to hear them.
Hi Jill,
I will be starting this years Camino Sept 18th in Pamplona with my daughter. WE were supposed to go last May but she broke her ankle in March so postponed to September. It will be my 4th so plenty experience to
I hope I do run into both of you! It is exceptional to hear your story and thank you for the encouragement. I am going to go very slow at the start and see how it goes. The very best you you and your daughter. I hope to walk with mine one day.
I don't know anyone named Jill in my daily life. Only here. What's up with that?
Don’t pack too much clothing. You can always buy the odd tee shirt...
Oh thank you for this wisdom: I have had to accept that the first weeks of my Camino will be my training, too. Life has thrown up every obstacle to prevent my intended training walks, ever since January this year. But, I am still heading over and I am still going to start walking Sept 1st and what will be will be.@jkberry I agree with the posts above, you will be fine if you pace yourself. Stop when you need to. The first two days (SJPDP to Orisson, and Orisson to Roncesvalles) will probably be the hardest, and by stopping at Orisson you have given yourself the best chance. Be aware that the third day is a difficult long haul too, but there are various places you can stop to shorten or ease that day.
I often fail dismally in my preparation and consider the first two weeks on any camino as "training".
What's the ideal distance to walk during training?Thank you Anamya, I am walking daily in my shoes just not the distance I had hoped. Thanks for the encouragement! Jill
My husband and I start Sept 1 also. Because of wildfire smoke our training has been drastically reduced too. Day 1 we are going to the virgin. Day 2 virginnto Roncesvalles. Burn caminoOh thank you for this wisdom: I have had to accept that the first weeks of my Camino will be my training, too. Life has thrown up every obstacle to prevent my intended training walks, ever since January this year. But, I am still heading over and I am still going to start walking Sept 1st and what will be will be.
Great Pun Charlotte! Does training indoors, like an elliptical work at all. I'm in California and we have pretty bad smoke with the fires tooMy husband and I start Sept 1 also. Because of wildfire smoke our training has been drastically reduced too. Day 1 we are going to the virgin. Day 2 virginnto Roncesvalles. Burn camino
They said it's as bad as chinese pollution for Portland and Seattle now due to California fires, sorry!I just came home to the smoke in Southern Oregon on Monday. I wish that I was still in Spain! But at least I escaped it for a month and a half!
Absolutely. And if possible do it on at least three consecutive days. It can sometimes take a few days for blister problems to show up.The idea of distance prior to going is that what your body equipment and feet feel like at 10 Km may not be what you experience at 15, 17 or 21
finding that out ahead of time to be able to tweek your gear
In the ideal world, that is what I wd have done. But, here in the world I live in, so many unforeseen challenges since January (when I purchased tickets, shoes, backpack...). So training has been sporadic and not intensive or even consistent. However, my faith community and priest have given me a Blessing for the Traveller, my workmates & friends all support me and my walking companion is trained to the max (go Kerry!) So we fly out tomorrow and start walking on Sept 1st. I see thunderstorms are predicted.... I'm still coming, God and St James!
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