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Dear all, I am currently doing my 3rd Camino (actually part of it, for 3 weeks), I planned it for months ahead, and was really looking forward to be on the Camino again. Yet I am struggling sooo much more than other times. After a week of walking I still feel exhausted every day, almost to the point of looking forward to going back home. I am not even sure if it is more mental or physical exhaustion. Everything just feels … off. Maybe pandemic had worse effects on my fitness than I estimated. Maybe I am expecting too much, life has been a bit dark lately (as many of our lives, I suppose) and I was hoping the Camino will help to bring some colors back to it. Has anyone experienced something similar?
Dear Totu: I can totally relate to the struggle and feelings you expressed in your recent post. I'm a veteran of several caminos over the past decade, but haven't been back to Spain since 2019. I believe the pandemic really threw the world a curve ball; from the health standpoint to just being forced into a more sedentary routine, it's really been hard for me to get going again where trekking is concerned. Regardless, I leave for Pamplona in a week, and come hell or high water, I am going to walk! Do I feel as "ready" (whatever that means) as in the past? Not at all. But sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith. We've got to do this! Blessings long your Way.Dear all, I am currently doing my 3rd Camino (actually part of it, for 3 weeks), I planned it for months ahead, and was really looking forward to be on the Camino again. Yet I am struggling sooo much more than other times. After a week of walking I still feel exhausted every day, almost to the point of looking forward to going back home. I am not even sure if it is more mental or physical exhaustion. Everything just feels … off. Maybe pandemic had worse effects on my fitness than I estimated. Maybe I am expecting too much, life has been a bit dark lately (as many of our lives, I suppose) and I was hoping the Camino will help to bring some colors back to it. Has anyone experienced something similar?
I would also advise that you take a couple days off to relax and regroup. Maybe decrease your daily mileage. Also you may have a medical condition that needs to be evaluated. If this is atypical for you and your not taking any meds that could cause lethargy then I STRONGLY advised you have a medical check up with blood/lab panels. There are many things that can contribute to exhaustion hopefully it is something simple to alleviate. Best wishesDear all, I am currently doing my 3rd Camino (actually part of it, for 3 weeks), I planned it for months ahead, and was really looking forward to be on the Camino again. Yet I am struggling sooo much more than other times. After a week of walking I still feel exhausted every day, almost to the point of looking forward to going back home. I am not even sure if it is more mental or physical exhaustion. Everything just feels … off. Maybe pandemic had worse effects on my fitness than I estimated. Maybe I am expecting too much, life has been a bit dark lately (as many of our lives, I suppose) and I was hoping the Camino will help to bring some colors back to it. Has anyone experienced something similar?
Yes. This is familiar to me. Just a comment, this is your third Camino and despite absence due to pandemic etc, you are nonetheless aware of the camino routine, even subconsciously. I've never walked the same route twice, but still experience this. Maybe I ask too much of myself or the Camino, expecting something new or engaging. I have given it time, go easy on myself and walk through this. Buen CaminoDear all, I am currently doing my 3rd Camino (actually part of it, for 3 weeks), I planned it for months ahead, and was really looking forward to be on the Camino again. Yet I am struggling sooo much more than other times. After a week of walking I still feel exhausted every day, almost to the point of looking forward to going back home. I am not even sure if it is more mental or physical exhaustion. Everything just feels … off. Maybe pandemic had worse effects on my fitness than I estimated. Maybe I am expecting too much, life has been a bit dark lately (as many of our lives, I suppose) and I was hoping the Camino will help to bring some colors back to it. Has anyone experienced something similar?
Good morning totu: yes I had a few moments when doing the Norte when the route was really challenging me physically and my feet were hurting. Even though I was walking through spain and I had planned for so long I was suffering. If your like me I enjoy getting advice and suggestions but I usually end up taking my own advice. So for what it's worth. Take a rest day or 2. If your near a city, take in the sites even go to a museum or church, contemplate all those that had come before and even the vast #s who could not finish their camino. Enjoy a few relaxing days and dial back your daily walking mileage. This isn't a race and you should go only so far as feels fun and doable. Then find an albergue and stop for the day. If your not to shy chat with others you meet and see how they are overcoming their challanges. Hopefully you will finish your 3 weeks with a new appreciation of yourself, your journey and just life in general. Send us a daily post of how you are doing. Remember the saying " the camino always provides just what you need when you need it" buen caminoDear all, I am currently doing my 3rd Camino (actually part of it, for 3 weeks), I planned it for months ahead, and was really looking forward to be on the Camino again. Yet I am struggling sooo much more than other times. After a week of walking I still feel exhausted every day, almost to the point of looking forward to going back home. I am not even sure if it is more mental or physical exhaustion. Everything just feels … off. Maybe pandemic had worse effects on my fitness than I estimated. Maybe I am expecting too much, life has been a bit dark lately (as many of our lives, I suppose) and I was hoping the Camino will help to bring some colors back to it. Has anyone experienced something similar?
I have no clue at all but will surmise that it is emotional/mental, which will make the physical aspect much worse. If this is the case, what to do? Again, I have no clue because observing from a distance ensures erroneous conclusions. The one thing that comes to mind is to 'accept this darkness.' Fully accept it. It does not happen/surface without a reason and purpose. Fully embrace it, accept it as a gift, and see where it takes you. It might be your subconscious is at work and one's subconscious does not work in a happenstance and silly manner.Dear all, I am currently doing my 3rd Camino (actually part of it, for 3 weeks), I planned it for months ahead, and was really looking forward to be on the Camino again. Yet I am struggling sooo much more than other times. After a week of walking I still feel exhausted every day, almost to the point of looking forward to going back home. I am not even sure if it is more mental or physical exhaustion. Everything just feels … off. Maybe pandemic had worse effects on my fitness than I estimated. Maybe I am expecting too much, life has been a bit dark lately (as many of our lives, I suppose) and I was hoping the Camino will help to bring some colors back to it. Has anyone experienced something similar?
Hi. I can empathise with you to a certain degree. Just completed the Portuguese in May and the first 5 days were exhausting. I do believe, for myself, that a certain element of this was mental fatigue, with high expectations for the Camino that just weren't being met. Basically I feel I was relying too much on worldly things and people. An expectation that I would have the same experience as on previous Caminos. However I must add that the remaining 8 days were amazing. My attitude changed and the people I needed to meet were suddenly there. Another thing I changed was I began shopping in supermarkets etc and having my lunch on the road. This led to wonderful off Camino experiences that will stay with me. I do hope that your journey changes and becomes a positive one. Please stick with it and maybe just shorten a few days, if needed. From reading your post The Way needs you and their are souls on the same road just waiting to cross paths with you.Dear all, I am currently doing my 3rd Camino (actually part of it, for 3 weeks), I planned it for months ahead, and was really looking forward to be on the Camino again. Yet I am struggling sooo much more than other times. After a week of walking I still feel exhausted every day, almost to the point of looking forward to going back home. I am not even sure if it is more mental or physical exhaustion. Everything just feels … off. Maybe pandemic had worse effects on my fitness than I estimated. Maybe I am expecting too much, life has been a bit dark lately (as many of our lives, I suppose) and I was hoping the Camino will help to bring some colors back to it. Has anyone experienced something similar?
Yes ! I’m actually on my 3rd Camino at the moment too. Nothing is sparking joy, as they say. Nothing. Costs have gone up, accomodation hit and miss - the walking has been ok, just, but I feel as though I could be home reading a book or seeing some Arthouse films and having as much fun. My current room is a casa rural (70 euros - long story). It’s rather simple. Feels like a waste of moneyDear all, I am currently doing my 3rd Camino (actually part of it, for 3 weeks), I planned it for months ahead, and was really looking forward to be on the Camino again. Yet I am struggling sooo much more than other times. After a week of walking I still feel exhausted every day, almost to the point of looking forward to going back home. I am not even sure if it is more mental or physical exhaustion. Everything just feels … off. Maybe pandemic had worse effects on my fitness than I estimated. Maybe I am expecting too much, life has been a bit dark lately (as many of our lives, I suppose) and I was hoping the Camino will help to bring some colors back to it. Has anyone experienced something similar?
Thank you for your honesty, sometimes life is like this. Buen Camino!Dear all, I am currently doing my 3rd Camino (actually part of it, for 3 weeks), I planned it for months ahead, and was really looking forward to be on the Camino again. Yet I am struggling sooo much more than other times. After a week of walking I still feel exhausted every day, almost to the point of looking forward to going back home. I am not even sure if it is more mental or physical exhaustion. Everything just feels … off. Maybe pandemic had worse effects on my fitness than I estimated. Maybe I am expecting too much, life has been a bit dark lately (as many of our lives, I suppose) and I was hoping the Camino will help to bring some colors back to it. Has anyone experienced something similar?
I have. On the numerous attempts at something resembling a Camino in the two plus years of COVID I have found something blocking the wonder I achieve when I am on the Way. Last time out I didn't, however, so I think perseverance is the key?Dear all, I am currently doing my 3rd Camino (actually part of it, for 3 weeks), I planned it for months ahead, and was really looking forward to be on the Camino again. Yet I am struggling sooo much more than other times. After a week of walking I still feel exhausted every day, almost to the point of looking forward to going back home. I am not even sure if it is more mental or physical exhaustion. Everything just feels … off. Maybe pandemic had worse effects on my fitness than I estimated. Maybe I am expecting too much, life has been a bit dark lately (as many of our lives, I suppose) and I was hoping the Camino will help to bring some colors back to it. Has anyone experienced something similar?
The bed race... It's awful. It's why I won't ever set foot on the Camino Frances again! I go everywhere, and at any cost, not to be involved in that insane race. Where is the joy in crowds of 'pilgrims' running everywhere just to find somewhere to sleep at the end?As I have alluded in some of my previous posts I'm on my first Camino, being Camino Frances.
I completely understand your feelings because it became very frustrating for me as well in terms of developing blisters and also dealing with the bed race that truly took a life of its own, probably because of covid-19 as other people mentioned
I am currently in Burgos taking a day off and it was nice and refreshing to get up at 9:30 in the morning in my own room and I definitely feel a little better
so listen to other advices that were given before: take shorter days walking, get couple of rest days and hopefully it will help
Buen Camino Peregrina
Perhaps your mind is releasing all of those pandemic toxins that have built up. Give it time.Dear all, I am currently doing my 3rd Camino (actually part of it, for 3 weeks), I planned it for months ahead, and was really looking forward to be on the Camino again. Yet I am struggling sooo much more than other times. After a week of walking I still feel exhausted every day, almost to the point of looking forward to going back home. I am not even sure if it is more mental or physical exhaustion. Everything just feels … off. Maybe pandemic had worse effects on my fitness than I estimated. Maybe I am expecting too much, life has been a bit dark lately (as many of our lives, I suppose) and I was hoping the Camino will help to bring some colors back to it. Has anyone experienced something similar?
You are experiencing what I had feared I would experience. I had booked a flight (it was to be today) but had to cancel due to ongoing challenges... but everything you initially explained was looming in the back of my mind. I'm so sorry that your experiences are not what you want them to be. I understand feeling off right now. You are definitely not alone.Maybe walking with a partner is indeed not “my” Camino, and having walked alone before, I expected “our” Camino to be all that too. We are now walking parts of the days separately, meeting up later.
I will try my best to take one step at a time, one day at a time, and hopefully it will all get lighter soon
I was going to give up in Logroño to the point of almost buying a return ticket to home - I felt sore , tired and alone - I then thought about why I was here and spoke to my family - their support got me back on track - I then lapsed again in Granon - it seemed a very lonely Camino (number 4) - while I sat crying alone in the church- watching as people I had helped walk past without seeing to care - I determined I would finish as far as Santiago and then go home - I changed my plans - decided not to care about anything but my Camino and enjoy my own timeDear all, I am currently doing my 3rd Camino (actually part of it, for 3 weeks), I planned it for months ahead, and was really looking forward to be on the Camino again. Yet I am struggling sooo much more than other times. After a week of walking I still feel exhausted every day, almost to the point of looking forward to going back home. I am not even sure if it is more mental or physical exhaustion. Everything just feels … off. Maybe pandemic had worse effects on my fitness than I estimated. Maybe I am expecting too much, life has been a bit dark lately (as many of our lives, I suppose) and I was hoping the Camino will help to bring some colors back to it. Has anyone experienced something similar?
Dear all, you are amazing group of people, thank you so much for all the responses and encouragement! It really just helps to know that I’m not alone
At least by now I feel better physically, I did couple of shorter days and just gave myself time to rest and be whenever my body needed it. I did a health checkup a few months ago, it shouldn’t be a medical issue or vitamin deficiency (one never fully knows of course), I’ve also been extremely careful with Covid and so far have escaped it (again, to my knowledge at least).
Mentally, I still feel like something is blocking me to fully experience the wonder and joy around this beautiful place. Acceptance helps - maybe now it needs to be like this then, for whatever reason.
Maybe walking with a partner is indeed not “my” Camino, and having walked alone before, I expected “our” Camino to be all that too. We are now walking parts of the days separately, meeting up later.
I will try my best to take one step at a time, one day at a time, and hopefully it will all get lighter soon
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