Planning for my first Camino

[junaella]

Hello everyone!

I'm Maria from Alberta, Canada. I have been meaning to start my Camino for 4 yrs but life gets in the way, like it always has. Fast forward to 2016, I think it's now or never. I have 16 days off from work and plan to allot 5 days for el Camino in Aug 23-28. Has any member done any pilgrimage in late August before? I have the Michelin guide book and need to speed up on my reading and training.. only two months away!! For everyone who are currently in the Camino and who will be taking their pilgrimage, buen camino!!

 

[AlwynWellington]

Hi from Wellington, New Zealand

You have so many options. Much of what you can achieve depends on yourlevel of fitness. The first group assume moderate fitness.

First are those that end at Santiago de Compostela. These include:

Camino Frances starting at Sarria
Camino Ingles starting at Ferrol

Both are a little over 100 km in length.


Second are all the other routes.
For this group you start at the beginning and walk for the days available.
Then next year, if you wish, you do what a significant number do. Namely, you return to the town you stopped at the previous year and continue to walk for as long as suits.
Then repeat each year until you reach Santiago de Compostela.

I wish you well in your choosing.

Kia kaha (be brave/be strong)

 

[junaella]

Hello Alwyn!

Thank you for the information you have shared with me. I will most likely do the Camino de Francês (as that is the map I have that I can study atm) from (Plan A) Vilafranca del Bierzo to SdC. As for my fitness level I can consider myself average (I jog 10-15km, 4x/week). Plan B is to get all the courage I have and start from SJPdP! And like you suggested walk until it suits me and continue when the right time comes up. After all that's the spirit of the Camino eh? I'm only concerned about the route from SJPdP to Roncesvalles, looks very steep and intimidating!! I have hiked in Banff and British Columbia but I reckon the Pyrenees is a different ball game. Any valuable information about the route you might have? Thank you once again!

 

[AlwynWellington]

@junaella thank you.

Yes, that ascent is rather steep. And this steepness continues until the gite/albergue at Orrison. After that it is relatively more gentle to the top.

A two part technique that I and others have found useful is this:

1) build up your stamina so you can complete, say, 18 km in 3 hours including, say, 700 metres of ascent

2) when ascending move you feet in time with your breathing. As your breathing rate increases shorten your step. Breathe in - Left foot forward. Breathe out - Right foot forward. This might mean your step is significantly less than 300 mm at times.

Those two aspects, plus a light pack should stand you in a good space for the Pyrenees out of Saint-Jean, and anything similar after that.

The descents, however, are another matter.

Kia kaha

 

[junaella]

I appreciate your suggestions Alwyn! I'm seriously considering getting a pair of trekking poles. Though I have mountain climb many moons ago in the Philippines, I can still remember some basic skills I have learnt on ascent and descent. Hope they won't escape me when I'm up in the Pyrenees, starting from SJPdP =)

Thanks so much!!