For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Thanks for the tips! They are very helpful and encouraging. I can do this...ha ha ha.
I am going to spend my Saturdays doing some major hiking with my pack.
There route I using take running has a great spot for walking up and down hills. I can run one way and then walk/hike my way back.
I think if you interviewed 100 pilgrims, the majority would say they did not train at all.
The training can be done on the road if you are careful and start slowly.
The key is not too much weight, good shoes, and plenty of time.
It is not a mountain climbing expedition.
It's a trek.
The reality of this trip has just hit me hard (leaving at the end of May), and I want to make sure that I am prepared. Freak out mode...can't you tell?!?! Ha ha ha!
Running is high impact on your lower body joints as opposed to the type of hiking you will be doing on the Camino. Not sure the risk is worth it. Bad idea and it could hurt more than help, really. If you are not used to/have not done jogging/running for a while trying to undertake it as training for a walking trip is not really a good idea. A treadmill and/or ellyptical machines are a great substitute for long distance hiking training as it tones the same muscles. Do it carrying weights or the actual backpack and you should be training on a apretty close simulation of what your body will be experiencing on the Camino. I am a runner (all my life from a young age) and what really helped me on the Camino was training on an ellyptical machine with ramp functions. Walking uses the core muscles more than you think, so even abdominals and Pilates is better than running....
By no means I am recommending JUST concentrating on the core. Walking requires effort from almost every muscle in your body be it in the mechanics, the balance, or the support. Also agree that walking 30+days in a row for 20+kms/day is a serious demand in stamina. Training is a good idea, but I also know for a fact that some people are natural athletes and their bodies will bounce back very quickly. Bottom line, prepare but also relax a bit; if you pace yourself you should be able to go the distance. Buen Camino!!!Just doing core excersises is not going to help your fitness level or get your legs or feet used to walking, hiking, running long distances.
You should run. Running is perfect for your physical fitness and helps you build endurence and leg muscles, BUT running and hiking are two different things. Don't even start comparing them.
I have been reading a lot of how people are hiking 10+ miles several times a day weeks before their Camino, but I am not able to do that. Being a teacher, I don't have the schedule that allows me to do that. It's not easy to take off work in order to train my body to hike 10+ miles, several times a week. Therefore, I am hoping that if I spend my evenings training my body with running (right now I am close to 4 miles each time I run) for a 10k will be enough. What ya'll think??
The reality of this trip has just hit me hard (leaving at the end of May), and I want to make sure that I am prepared. Freak out mode...can't you tell?!?! Ha ha ha!
I met a young Italian in Arzua. He told me that he ran marathons at least once each week. He was very fit. He went on to say: "I have walked just 100km and my feet are destroyed!"
I'm so excited for you! I, too, am a teacher and am single with no children, which means that outside of work I have a flexible schedule. If you have a family, I'm sure that makes it much more difficult to find time to train.
Monday nights I've started meeting a friend in a town between work and home at 5:15p.m. to walk/run stairs for half an hour. Tuesdays and Thursdays, one of my colleagues and I leave at 3:45 (our students are out at 3) for a 4.75 mile hike on the trails behind our school (618 foot total elevation gain) or in the neighborhoods around school and then I return to my classroom to finish up before heading home. I've started getting in a 10 to 12 mile hike on Saturday or Sunday and then a shorter hike the other weekend day.
I haven't yet started training with a pack, however (still need to buy it!) as is wisely suggested by Vagando, above. Maybe I'll ease into it by loading up one of my day hike packs as much as possible to practice. Hmmm.
Maggie, I am so impressed. I was considering walking to work as well but as it would take almost three hours, I just can't bring myself to do it. I'd have to leave at 4:30 (as poor Godslamb already does). Ugh.Hi Godslamb.
I am a teacher too (in Oz) I've been walking to work, 8 km with my pack and poles a couple of times a week. I don't know if that would work for you. I have to leave at 6am as I start at 8. I agree that work interferes with your life! Happy training . Buen Camino.
Sent from my iPhone using Camino de Santiago Forum
Godslamb:
Being a fellow Southerner (I saw your ya'll in the first post)I think you will be fine. You have gotten lots of good input here from everyone; I know it may be overwhelming. But run when you can, or climb steps, or do lunges to strengthen your knee joints when you have a few spare minutes. Are you still in Alabama or elsewhere teaching? My daughter and I did a 20 prep hike on the AT (Appalachian Trail) at Blood Mountain two weeks before leaving for the Camino. It about killed us. But we did not experience anything like that in Spain once we got there, so you are probably fine. Take a long walk on the weekend.
Also wear your boots/shoes everywhere to see if you have any hot spots and do make sure to carry the pack with your expected load to make sure it feels comfortable. A couple of hours of each is not enough. You will basically be living in them for over a month, so go ahead and become good friends before you leave. You won't wear them out.
My son and I may be getting to Santiago about the same time as you, so hopefully we can meet and we will hear about your great experience.
Rambler
I am training by walking about seven kms three times each week. I figure that will be enough and if I have problems on my camino (commencing May 1st) then I'll just take my time each day slowly. After all, it is about the walk and if I have to walk 30 km in a day then I'll just leave early and take my time.I have been reading a lot of how people are hiking 10+ miles several times a day weeks before their Camino, but I am not able to do that. Being a teacher, I don't have the schedule that allows me to do that. It's not easy to take off work in order to train my body to hike 10+ miles, several times a week. Therefore, I am hoping that if I spend my evenings training my body with running (right now I am close to 4 miles each time I run) for a 10k will be enough. What ya'll think??
The reality of this trip has just hit me hard (leaving at the end of May), and I want to make sure that I am prepared. Freak out mode...can't you tell?!?! Ha ha ha!
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?