Hello all! I'm starting my first camino (Norte) July 15th! I'm just wondering if I should try to plan out my walls each day. As in should I plan out the walk and where I want to be at the end of every day or should I wing it once I'm there.
I don't generally plan things out because I like being spontaneous, but I don't want to screw myself over by not being prepared.
Thoughts?
The only way to know how far you can walk each day, are to do walks at home while wearing the same weight of backpack and wearing the same clothing and shoes. At a comfortable pace, walk the number of hours you envision walking on the Camino. Do it several days in a row. Assess how you feel, make any adjustments to weight, shoes, and pace, and then do it all again. Can you do more, or do you need to do less? Keep a walking journal to note things that might help you, the progress you are making, and adjustments that must be made.
Yeah.... like most potential pilgrims are going to do be able to do that prior to their Camino, or even WANT to do that.
So, you CAN do what is necessary to have a high degree of confidence on walking distances so that you can plan ahead and know where you will likely be able to end your day. I am probably one of the minority of "pre-pilgrims" who pretty much knows what distances I am capable of hiking and walking per day for many consecutive days on end. I know because I am an experienced backpacker and long-distance thru-hiker who keeps in shape walking 15 to 20 miles at least every other day, and on most weeks hiking on several consecutive days with a backpack load heavier than what I will actually be carrying on Camino.
But, even with my background and experience, I am mostly going to "wing it". Even though I like to walk long hours and see each step I walk as part of my spiritual introspection, I still have no idea what might side-track me; what chapel or church might catch my eye, what conversations I might wish to relax with for a time, or what Pilgrim Masses I will be able to attend (even though I am a Baptist). There are too many unknowns for me to say, with practical definitive authority, that when I start my early-morning walk I will be certain I will end up at a specific village, town , or city.
People plan and God smiles. Being spontaneous does not mean being unprepared. Make sure you have enough Euros on hand. Accept that if you decide to end your day someplace other than where you thought you would be at the end of your day, that you will still be able to find shelter, food, and rest. That may entail either stopping earlier than you planned or requiring that you continue on for a bit: just be flexible to your unique situation.
I have never done a Camino. So, when I take my first steps on
Camino Frances on September 15th from St. Jean Pied de Port, I know I am capable of making it to Zubiri, but I have no idea IF I will make it that far. I may decide to enjoy the aspect of a pilgrim tradition by stopping at the Roncesvalle alburgue.... or stop at one of the intermediary villages between Roncesvalle and Zubiri. Heck, I might get bowled over and crippled by a rogue cow (or a bicyclist) while going over the Pyrenees and need to be rescued. Or I might sleep outside between villages.
Free yourself to experience, in fullness, something that you are really looking forward to. Don't let the worry of over-planning spoil things for you. :--)