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If you have never managed that, I can see the reason for the concern, but you still have a fair amount of time and you seem to have a training schedule that will get you there. How are you doing with your schedule? Are you having challenges keeping up with it? I notice that you said that your training schedule gets you to 22 km - once. Many find that the big challenge isn't so much the distance but the day after day nature of it. I would see if your training schedule can manage 15+ km three days in a row. If you can manage that, it should give you more confidence.I will be 77 a few days in to my proposed CF from the end of September. I have allowed 43 days so an average of 18.5 Km per day. In my training I have yet to manage as much as that, but my training schedule should get me to 22Km(once) before I fly out. As I have never before been fit it's very daunting, but with occasional pack forwarding I should make it.
But am I being too ambitious?
I am 69 and training by walking each and every day I can. I began with 2 miles and now am up to 4 miles. My goal it to be able to walk for 10-15 km or 9-10 miles two days in a row. I have over 3 weeks before I leave. I know I will be fine as I am building confidence as well as stamina. Buen Camino and do follow the advice of begin slowly. My first two days are about 12 km per day. The first week I am going to keep it under 15-18 kms per day. We will both be in better shape than most pilgrims beginning their hike.I will be 77 a few days in to my proposed CF from the end of September. I have allowed 43 days so an average of 18.5 Km per day. In my training I have yet to manage as much as that, but my training schedule should get me to 22Km(once) before I fly out. As I have never before been fit it's very daunting, but with occasional pack forwarding I should make it.
But am I being too ambitious?
As those above have already said take it slow particularly at first.
The worst days are from SJPP to say Zubiri so you could skip them and start from Pamplona as it's easy get to, or if you want to see a bit of the Pyrenees, walk from SJPP to Valcarlos, taxi back and take a bus to Pamplona.
I asked myself the same question in April this year, started walking May 22nd. I arrived in Santiago, it was not always easy but I made it.But am I being too ambitious?
Judy, so glad that someone else stops for a cafe con leche at every village!!!!!I’m 71 and just finished my second Camino Frances this year. I carried my 18 pound pack all the way, but I stop for café con leche in almost every village. It’s my reward. I averaged about 20 km per day after the first week. Just take care of your feet and drink lots of water. Good for you for doing this. Buen Camino and buena suerte!
Wherever you start, you do not have to go over the Alto de Perdon on the day that you leave Pamplona. I walked from Pamplona to Zariquiegui on my first camino, staying in one of the albegues there near the top of the climb, to go over the Alto de Perdon and on to Puente la Reina the next day. That is what worked for me. I was 67 at the time and did most of my getting into shape during the early stages of the walk, by not pushing myself but just keeping going at my own pace.start in Pamplona - although your first day is over Alto de Perdon, a long climb and a challenging rocky descent.
I will be 77 a few days in to my proposed CF from the end of September. I have allowed 43 days so an average of 18.5 Km per day. In my training I have yet to manage as much as that, but my training schedule should get me to 22Km(once) before I fly out. As I have never before been fit it's very daunting, but with occasional pack forwarding I should make it.
But am I being too ambitious?
Thank you. I now plan to forward my pack more frequently.You'll never know until you try.
Start slowly, aim to begin with fewer kms and do use pack forwarding services if you feel the need, especially when there's a steep / tough day ahead.
Thank you. I have reconciled myself to be realistic about breaking off early if necessary.You have been given much good advice already, but I'll repeat...
Little by little... peu à peu...poco a poco....take it easy.
Many walk too far too early and get blisters, tendonitis, and sore knees. Walking day after day compounds the problem. Just let your Camino come to you in terms of a comfortable distance for each day.
Finally, since you live in the UK, if you fall short of walking the entire distance, just allow yourself the pleasure of coming back the next year and finishing up. Maybe to Finisterre. You're much closer to Spain than a lot of other forum members.
I'm 75 and I prefer around 20 kms per day. And I now transport my backpack.
Thanks to all of you. There is a wealth of good advice in your replies and I have taken heart.Thank you. I have reconciled myself to be realistic about breaking off early if necessary.
Best wishes to you, James. I, too, was a 'Senior' when I walked my Camino. I thought I would offer a piece of advice in an area not related to daily walking distances that may be helpful.Thanks to all of you. There is a wealth of good advice in your replies and I have taken heart.
I will now abandon the hair shirt and make life as easy as possible! I want to complete my Camino in the time I have, but enjoy it too. So I will start in Pamplona and forward my pack frequently. It may be that if I can't finish in time I can return next Spring. In any case, I still have a few weeks to see how far I can walk in a day which will guide me in planning stages.
Thank you all very much.
Thank you too!Best wishes to you, James. I, too, was a 'Senior' when I walked my Camino. I thought I would offer a piece of advice in an area not related to daily walking distances that may be helpful.
Several weeks prior to your trip, pack your backpack exactly and in detail as if you were on your walk. Then, for a week or so, live out of your pack (not actually wear the clothes, etc., just simulate the packing and unpacking). Practice finding your toiletries and sundries, unroll and repack your sleeping bag---those sorts of things that seem so elementary to everyday life on your walk.
At my somewhat advanced age, I found it difficult to get into any type of repeatable and comfortable routine in albegues without that pre-trip practice.
This is excellent advice!Best wishes to you, James. I, too, was a 'Senior' when I walked my Camino. I thought I would offer a piece of advice in an area not related to daily walking distances that may be helpful.
Several weeks prior to your trip, pack your backpack exactly and in detail as if you were on your walk. Then, for a week or so, live out of your pack (not actually wear the clothes, etc., just simulate the packing and unpacking). Practice finding your toiletries and sundries, unroll and repack your sleeping bag---those sorts of things that seem so elementary to everyday life on your walk.
At my somewhat advanced age, I found it difficult to get into any type of repeatable and comfortable routine in albegues without that pre-trip practice.
I walked the same as Albertagirl, Pamplona to Zariquiegui day one then onto Puente la Reina the next day that worked well for me also. Taking it easy in the beginning then an amazing thing starts to happen, after a couple weeks the kms fly by and I found myself walking much further than I thought I was capable of. I wish you a very Buen Camino!!Wherever you start, you do not have to go over the Alto de Perdon on the day that you leave Pamplona. I walked from Pamplona to Zariquiegui on my first camino, staying in one of the albegues there near the top of the climb, to go over the Alto de Perdon and on to Puente la Reina the next day. That is what worked for me. I was 67 at the time and did most of my getting into shape during the early stages of the walk, by not pushing myself but just keeping going at my own pace.
Several weeks prior to your trip, pack your backpack exactly and in detail as if you were on your walk. Then, for a week or so, live out of your pack (not actually wear the clothes, etc., just simulate the packing and unpacking). Practice finding your toiletries and sundries, unroll and repack your sleeping bag---those sorts of things that seem so elementary to everyday life on your walk.
At my somewhat advanced age, I found it difficult to get into any type of repeatable and comfortable routine in albegues without that pre-trip practice.
I also stayed at Zariquiegui on my last Camino Frances. We had done no training so were looking to do a few shorter days near the beginning. As well, we were passing through Pamplona during the San Fermin fistival and didn't want to count on getting beds there. So we walked from Zubiri to Trinidad de Arres (about 15 km), then from Trinidad de Arres to Zariquiegui (15 km), and then from Zariquiegui to Puente la Reina with a side trip through Eunate (15 km with the side trip). After that we started walking longer days.Wherever you start, you do not have to go over the Alto de Perdon on the day that you leave Pamplona. I walked from Pamplona to Zariquiegui on my first camino, staying in one of the albegues there near the top of the climb, to go over the Alto de Perdon and on to Puente la Reina the next day. That is what worked for me. I was 67 at the time and did most of my getting into shape during the early stages of the walk, by not pushing myself but just keeping going at my own pace.
I am 69 also and leave for my Camino in 16 days. I have been walking every day I can and usually walk 3-5 miles. Once I did 6 miles. My first two days are like your as is the first week. The body is made for walking and I am going slow. Buen Camino to you.I am 69 and training by walking each and every day I can. I began with 2 miles and now am up to 4 miles. My goal it to be able to walk for 10-15 km or 9-10 miles two days in a row. I have over 3 weeks before I leave. I know I will be fine as I am building confidence as well as stamina. Buen Camino and do follow the advice of begin slowly. My first two days are about 12 km per day. The first week I am going to keep it under 15-18 kms per day. We will both be in better shape than most pilgrims beginning their hike.
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