The health benefits of walking

[peregrina2000]

In case you're looking for an extra justification for your self-indulgent long walks on the Camino, researchers at my university have just finished a study that found that walking for 40 minutes three times a week "improved the connectivity of specific brain networks in older adults." And that in turn means improved cognitive functions in areas that otherwise decline with age.

http://news.illinois.edu/news/10/0826walk.html

So just imagine how well connected our brain networks are after walking 800 km in 5 weeks or so!

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Deleted member 3000]

One or two glasses of wine per day seem to be good for health. One or two bottles, though??

 

[Maya2]

Here's to being well connected. Funny, any other place this would have a completely different meaning. :wink: We can call it Camino Code.

 

[peregrina2000]

Ok, Falcon, you're just a party-pooper. Always the one with the scientific answer. I bet you even can draw a diagram of my brain connections.

Well, how about this rationale -- if I walk excessively and drink wine excessively, the bad effects of both will cancel each other out and I'll be left with a healthy heart and well connected brain.

Maya, love that camino code. Laurie

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Off to Vezelay on Monday. So much for taking my own advice on moderation! A half-bottle of wine with dinner seems appropriate. I am not sure what to do about moderating stage distances. I guess they are what they are.

I will see whoever is in Pamplona on October 28 if you are wearing your Forum badge. My older brother, both French and Spanish language impaired, will stay in Spain through November. Ah, retirement.

Of course, I have a new pain, this one in my right ankle, so I am making last minute adjustments to boots and insoles. Fortunately, they all are broken-in, so I know the friction spots. Compeed, here I come. Right knee. Left ankle. Right ankle. The left knee was "scoped" a few years back, and it seems healthiest.

Aarn pack. Pacer poles. Vasque trail running shoes (likely). New Balance insoles (likely). Tilley hat. Altus poncho. No sleeping bag or mat. Permethrin treatment. Olympus Stylus 1200. iPhone, unlocked. Orange cell service if I can make it through their screening. "Northern route" out of Vezelay.

Bon chemin

 

[Rebekah Scott]

walking, wine, and REST I think comprise the main ingredients in great brain connectivity. That is why Falcon and the rest of youse guys are welcome at The Peaceable when you find yourself out on the Meseta. You can walk here, we´ll split a bottle (or two), and everyone can rest. The last pilgrim who rested here slept 19 hours straight, even without the wine!

His brain worked much better after.

Reb.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

I'm a firm believer that the quality of the wine is no substitute for quantity

Buen Camino Falcon - when are you likely to reach Santiago?

 

[andy.d]

One advantage of being a solo pilgrim for several weeks last year was that I got given a whole bottle of wine with my menu. I felt much better for it.

Go well,

Andy

 

[Debinq]

Everything in moderation andy - a demi caraffe always managed for me the job of rounding off dinner (and ensuring a good night's sleep) And if not on the menu, then there was always the pleasure of finding someone pleasant and personable to share the bottle with me!

looking fwd to my next camino - hope to tackle the C Mozarabe in Mar/Apr

Peter

 

[jeff001]

Everything in moderation - including moderation.

 

[CaroleH]

Good luck Falcon . . . you've got the gear. . . . enjoy your camino.

I guess you have left all plastic bottles at home!! (Haha . . sorry, couldn't resist) :lol:
Buen camino.

 

[jl]

Enjoy the Vezelay path. The first few days you will amble through very isolated forest type paths. They were quite overgrown when I went through in July last year - will be interested to hear what they are like now. You will find some wonderful refuges along this way - enjoy. Buen Camino Janet

 

[AJ]

Enjoy the Vezelay path. The first few days you will amble through very isolated forest type paths... You will find some wonderful refuges along this way - enjoy. Buen Camino Janet

I second this; I walked this year, starting in early May. Make sure you have the excellent guidebook by Chassain sold by the Amis in Vezelay - the maps are very good. Be aware that many villages have no shop and that water is always available in cemetaries.

Bon courage!

 

[AJ]

I'm a firm believer that the quality of the wine is no substitute for quantity

Couldn't agree more (hic...)

 

[jl]

I forgot to mention Falcon, that a woman - Yvonne - from our lovely Adelaide Hills, and a good friend, begins her walk on the Vezelay path on Saturday 18th. She is only going as far as Periguex. Who knows, you may even bump into her. Bon Route, Janet