- Time of past OR future Camino
- CdS 2012, CdN 2013, Shikoku 2015, CP 2016.
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While I jest, I agree that staying in good shape is an excellent idea and good preparation for the Camino. Unfortunately, my body no longer makes a jogging movement. Skipping and hopscotch are also past memories. I have had to settle for weight control and walking.
It never ceases to amaze me that "researchers" from some University or other come up with and give "official" credence to this information which was out there for a least ten years in the alternative health industry. I read about this in 2007 and downloaded a program called the PACE program which said pretty much the same thing. They claimed that the heart is like every other muscle in the body and therefore "suffers" from muscle memory so it is very important to change your exercise routine regularly otherwise the heart will get programmed to expect exertion and rest at the same places during your exercise routine. If you then change the routine the heart comes under unexpected stress and in the case of marathon runners etc can cause damage and even cardiac arrest. I still have this program on my computer if anyone wants to have a look PM me with an email address. Of course it does not have a "University Researchers" stamp of approval.... may be to start running, according to research described on this NYT blog
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/03/run-to-stay-young/?src=me&module=Ribbon&version=origin®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Most Emailed&pgtype=article
A tip.... try training with your backpack packed with only Coke bottles filled with water.
We made our packs weight 12-15% of our body weight. While walking, if it becomes too heavy, just empty out some water. (Emphasis added)
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5
Exertion Recovery Exert. Rec. Exert. Rec. Exert. Rec. Exert. Rec.
1 min 1 min 1 min 1 min 1 min 1 min 1 min 1 min 1 min 1 min
Thanks for that....making my yoga classes sound very worthwhile!Joe makes an important comment about strength training. Though maybe not ideal, I think a person can condition on the Camino whereas too much long distance training before the Camino can break things down and set you up for injury. In my expert opinion as an English teacher, it's equally or more important to strengthen back, core, and muscles that support joints (esp. ankles, knees, and hips) to prevent injury from overuse.
I have walked the Camino twice in 12 months, my prep was to walk here and there not much even less second time around I am 65 overweight but I found more so called prepared walkers and hikers breaking down in the first week. I suggest that people should get their heads right and not fall for the movie or the guide books but give them selves a lot of time not to rush and walk at a slow pace to start with. Understand that getting up every day load a pack on your back and walk for weeks on end is hard, throw in hills crowded rooms getting use to a new culture.... may be to start running, according to research described on this NYT blog
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/03/run-to-stay-young/?src=me&module=Ribbon&version=origin®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Most Emailed&pgtype=article
As with everything, it's different strokes for different folks.
Surprised that no-one has linked training the body with training the mind.
The Camino is tough, both mentally and physically. Some basic tai chi principles helped me conquer the days where physically I was struggling.
Simple things like breathing correctly are often overlooked.
I'd recommend anyone to read the book Chi Running and apply the basic principles in it to your walking, in your own way.
It is a function of one's reaction to stress and disappointment. Attitude is everything. If you begin by telling yourself that you are a failure if you do not walk 30km a day, then there can be two outcomes: success or failure. If you cast aside artificial criteria, then there is only one outcome: success. The mental training, then, is attitude control. When the physical part becomes tough, you remember your attitude. "I am here because I want to be, not because I have to be." Quit if you want; go if you want. That next step is the one and only thing you can control on the Camino. Take it, or not. It makes no difference. Life goes on regardless.what do you mean/intend to express when saying 'the camino is tough mentally'
It is clear in the computer age that our only truths come from blogs and Wikipedia.
While I jest, I agree that staying in good shape is an excellent idea and good preparation for the Camino. Unfortunately, my body no longer makes a jogging movement. Skipping and hopscotch are also past memories. I have had to settle for weight control and walking.
I agree with Falcon on the subject of running. My body is long past running any distance.
That said, there are three important things to address before walking a Camino, imo.
Your feet - Good shoes, well broken in. Walk at least 3 consecutive 20 km days so your feet get a sense of what is in store for them. Most of us will get great feedback from our feet after this type of activity and can start to sense the type of care our they will need during 5 weeks of 20+km days.
Back pack weight: Most of us do not carry 10 kg's or 22 lbs around daily on our back. Therefore, I would recommend exercising your core, back and shoulders. This walk is a journey which teaches you how to live minimally. Try to keep that thought in mind when developing that packing list.
Try not to plan too much: The Camino, imo, is an introspective journey that has something for each one of us. Let it be your guide. You do not have to keep up with someone else or walk a certain distance every day. These and other similar daily decisions often lead to injury or dissatisfaction. The Camino is mostly an individual activity (daily) with nightly (communal) options.
These are things I have learned in five Camino's. Others experiences, I suggest, will vary.
Just for the record on my first Camino, I did none of the above.
Ultreya,
Joe
I agree, I didn't train my core and upper body enough for the CF this year and had a lot of back pain. Ended up having to send my pack ahead most days. For the VDLP next year I will be training with yoga and pilates.I agree with Falcon on the subject of running. My body is long past running any distance.
That said, there are three important things to address before walking a Camino, imo.
Your feet - Good shoes, well broken in. Walk at least 3 consecutive 20 km days so your feet get a sense of what is in store for them. Most of us will get great feedback from our feet after this type of activity and can start to sense the type of care our they will need during 5 weeks of 20+km days.
Back pack weight: Most of us do not carry 10 kg's or 22 lbs around daily on our back. Therefore, I would recommend exercising your core, back and shoulders. This walk is a journey which teaches you how to live minimally. Try to keep that thought in mind when developing that packing list.
Try not to plan too much: The Camino, imo, is an introspective journey that has something for each one of us. Let it be your guide. You do not have to keep up with someone else or walk a certain distance every day. These and other similar daily decisions often lead to injury or dissatisfaction. The Camino is mostly an individual activity (daily) with nightly (communal) options.
These are things I have learned in five Camino's. Others experiences, I suggest, will vary.
Just for the record on my first Camino, I did none of the above.
Ultreya,
Joe
I was once told that to clear your mind of anticipation and then walk with a clear and open mind, well after 50 years of working and afew more we are all taught to expect, want and challenge ourselves to compete in both the world and business. To change those patterns of a life time to truly expect nothing, is mentally challenging then to over come the day daily climbs and the heavy work load is hard both physically but mentaly as when the body grows weary and it is the mind that shows the true strength to go on to be patient and smile when you hurt. The second time I walked the Camino the mental exhaution I felt go over the trails where I was ill (that put me within 24 hours of death at the hospital in Santiago) and to meet and greet those that helped me was not physical but pure mental strain on my whole being, maybe thats what people mean as it was it was to me to deal with myself internally. hope this helps.Question/pregunta (and it might be worth another tread?!) - but your sentence brought something up I always wondered about:
'Training the mind for the camino.'
- what is this about? i am not feigning cluelessness, i simply do not comprehend. why is the camino tough mentally? what do you (and others) mean/intend to express when saying 'the camino is tough mentally' (i get the challenging physical part - spoken like the true lounge-potato that i am) but always wondered about the 'training the mind for the camino'. what - if at all - am i missing ? - thanks for your time - saluti -
I agree, I didn't train my core and upper body enough for the CF this year and had a lot of back pain. Ended up having to send my pack ahead most days. For the VDLP next year I will be training with yoga and pilates.
Richo.
Tks Laurie, yes part of the problem was the cheap backpack I bought right before leaving for the camino. Next time I'm getting a better brand which will be fitted properly! (still doing the pilatesHi, Richo, you might want to have someone look at your pack. If it's working right, it should be transferring the weight of your pack to your hips, and it shouldn't put any weight on your back or cause you any back pain. I have chronic lower back pain and the most pain free time of my year is on my Camino, when I'm carrying 20 pounds in my ancient and dearly beloved mountainsmith Ghost pack. Buen camino, Laurie
I have not walked the Camino yet, but several years ago I set a goal to try and walk everyday during times when I had the opportunity (i.e. Summer) in anticipation that as soon as I started walking the Camino, getting up everyday to walk would feel strange and I would probably have one or two bad days (not referring to injuries, though they would make it harder) just telling myself that this everyday walking was actually okay ... I call it, "my psychological training."why is the camino tough mentally?
thank you for taking the time to respond to my question - helped me to understand a bit why people call it mentally challenging. for e.g. i realized that i have quite a different approach.I was once told that to clear your mind of anticipation and then walk with a clear and open mind, well after 50 years of working and afew more we are all taught to expect, want and challenge ourselves to compete in both the world and business. To change those patterns of a life time to truly expect nothing, is mentally challenging then to over come the day daily climbs and the heavy work load is hard both physically but mentaly as when the body grows weary and it is the mind that shows the true strength to go on to be patient and smile when you hurt. The second time I walked the Camino the mental exhaution I felt go over the trails where I was ill (that put me within 24 hours of death at the hospital in Santiago) and to meet and greet those that helped me was not physical but pure mental strain on my whole being, maybe thats what people mean as it was it was to me to deal with myself internally. hope this helps.
quite agree*** - thank you for your response. seems indeed the the 'expectation' bug is as pesky as those 'bed bugs'.It is a function of one's reaction to stress and disappointment. Attitude is everything. If you begin by telling yourself that you are a failure if you do not walk 30km a day, then there can be two outcomes: success or failure. If you cast aside artificial criteria, then there is only one outcome: success. The mental training, then, is attitude control. When the physical part becomes tough, you remember your attitude. "I am here because I want to be, not because I have to be." Quit if you want; go if you want. That next step is the one and only thing you can control on the Camino. Take it, or not. It makes no difference. Life goes on regardless.
In a more extreme example, death does not cause grief. The knowledge of that death causes the grief. If you never knew that someone died, it is unlikely that you would grieve. The only cause of grief is mental; there is no objective cause. It is the same way with fear on the camino. Since bandits have been relegated to the past, as have been bears and wolves, the only fear is what the pilgrim brings with himself. Simply refuse to bring it. That is what I mean by the camino being tough mentally, attitude control.
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