- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances & Camino Portuguese
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Don't know what you eat, but if you are overweight completely change your diet. Then start walking everyday, gradually increasing distance until about 2-3 days before you leave so you can recover. Do a lot of stretching exercises.I have seven weeks to get my fifty-something, over weight and out-of-shape self together, for the Camino Frances. Does anyone have any experience of achieving a good healthy level of fitness in this time frame?
Thanks Mark, I will do all that you have suggested here and no more bread!Don't know what you eat, but if you are overweight completely change your diet. Then start walking everyday, gradually increasing distance until about 2-3 days before you leave so you can recover. Do a lot of stretching exercises.
ultreia
Thanks Dougfitz, Will start walking tomorrow.You could try one of the Aussiewalk programs: http://www.aussiewalk.com.au/training.htm. They are eight weeks, but you will get enough done in seven weeks to improve your basic walking fitness.
Thanks martyseville, there are many walks close to where I live (I'm ashamed to say) and hill climbing not too far off either. As for gear, boots, pack etc. I do believe I have that sorted - actually I think now that I was focusing on all the wrong things!ditto above comments.
What works (worked on prior Caminos) for me is to gradually walk more and more each week. After about a few weeks start with 3/4 loaded pack. Then build up to fully loaded pack. And increasing the walking distance each day. Taking one day off per week. I take Sunday off.
Inside the walks I try to get some hill walking done.
What really got me on each Camino was the hill climbing. For some reason "Bar Julia" hill (after Bar Julia on the Ingles) really got me.
But I keep trucking along. And in one or two weeks seems to be no problems.
of course light pack, good fitting shoes, etc
Cutting back on bread is good, but for sure if you drink sodas or similar, stop immediately and replace with water.Thanks Mark, I will do all that you have suggested here and no more bread!
Thanks Mark, I will do all that you have suggested here and no more bread!
Yeah, but a lot of factors come into play there. Age. Existing fitness level. Experience. etc...I saw many on the CF (starting at SJD) who did no training what so ever. They made it.
So you could train as you walk the Camino.
Kinda of hard to do; but, have seen it done.
Hi MauraO,I have seven weeks to get my fifty-something, over weight and out-of-shape self together, for the Camino Frances. Does anyone have any experience of achieving a good healthy level of fitness in this time frame?
Never have I started where I wanted to, but anything you do regarding regular hiking, climbing hills, reducing your personal weight and that of your pack, will be of benefit. Don't overdo at home or in Spain--make gradual changes so that you don't injure yourself.
Buen Camino
.... After about a few weeks start with 3/4 loaded pack. Then build up to fully loaded pack ....
...
That makes eminent good sense but it's advice I have never acted on. I make sure I do long walks - 2 to 4 hour duration - three or four times a week for at least two months before I go on the Camino but I never carry my pack. Why? For fear of looking like a total dork walking with it on the usual routes in my neighborhood! I think I would look very odd indeed strolling along with a big backpack in a non-wilderness environment. .
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I have seven weeks to get my fifty-something, over weight and out-of-shape self together, for the Camino Frances. Does anyone have any experience of achieving a good healthy level of fitness in this time frame?
Hi there...this is my 7th week of training { I'm 60 on may 2nd } and have been building up slowly from a couple of 4-5 milers a week , increasing to 3x 5 milers during the week plus 1 or 2 8, 10 or 12 milers at the weekends. This weekend I will do a 10 and a 15 miler as well as the couple of shorter ones in the week. I live on Exmoor so walk a lot of hills and quite honestly feel ready to go tomorrow even tho I'm not due to leave for another 8 weeks! I started training early to iron out any foot problems as well as strengthening my back as its a bit ' dodgy '- but having said that, wearing my rucksack really helps- it only feels dodgy when I take it off now ! Get your back pack on as soon as you can, even without much in it as it gives you better posture from the word go.I have seven weeks to get my fifty-something, over weight and out-of-shape self together, for the Camino Frances. Does anyone have any experience of achieving a good healthy level of fitness in this time frame?
Hello, I would suggest that you get used to the sort of food you are likely to be eating in Spain - i.e. Bread, pasta, cured pork, eggs etc - a week or so before you go. A sudden change in diet will screw with your digestive system. Walking with constipation is no fun (apparently).
Hi Suzie, thanks for this, I have started the training found in Doug's link: http://www.aussiewalk.com.au/training.htm. from the second week for the 20 - 30km distance, and I have to say that even after a couple of days, I can feel my ankles and back strengthening. My ankles had felt like the tendons were all like loose and when I started stretching my shoulders and back it was clicking away as though it had nearly seized up! I had my rucksack with 1 and a half kg of water on my back for a hill walk today and to be honest it was tougher than I expected. I had to stop often to catch my breath. But I did it. I'm delighted to hear that after 7 weeks of training that you feel you are ready to go - I can't wait until I feel like that.Hi there...this is my 7th week of training { I'm 60 on may 2nd } and have been building up slowly from a couple of 4-5 milers a week , increasing to 3x 5 milers during the week plus 1 or 2 8, 10 or 12 milers at the weekends. This weekend I will do a 10 and a 15 miler as well as the couple of shorter ones in the week. I live on Exmoor so walk a lot of hills and quite honestly feel ready to go tomorrow even tho I'm not due to leave for another 8 weeks! I started training early to iron out any foot problems as well as strengthening my back as its a bit ' dodgy '- but having said that, wearing my rucksack really helps- it only feels dodgy when I take it off now ! Get your back pack on as soon as you can, even without much in it as it gives you better posture from the word go.
Who knows, I may see you there......
good luck
Suzie
Eating bread in Spain is required!Wait to you get to Spain to eat bread.
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