Cooperplus
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- September 2015
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Is it good idea to have waterproof shoes, ie Gortex lined, for the rainy part of the trail? My hiking boots are waterproof, but my trail runners are not. I am contemplating which pair to bring. I will be walking Camino Frances for the first time, and should be arriving the vicinity of Galicia about late October. With the almost certain heavy rain, I worry about not having waterproof shoes. Thank you in advance.
Quite a few overweight couch potatoes have found themselves over matched by the pilgrimage.
I want to walk the Camino Frances. I am a 55 year old woman. I am healthy, with no particular injuries, but I am not in amazing shape. In my 20s and 30s, I did a lot of hiking, climbing, running, but kids came along and I put myself on the back burner. Now I am ready to rediscover myself - mentally and physically - and I think a physical and spiritual journey like the Camino sounds wonderful.
My question - do I need to do a lot of training before I go? I am relatively "tough" mentally, so I know I can handle it from that perspective. I went out and walked 16 km the other day with a friend, without any difficulty, but I am not sure what it is like day after day after day. Any thoughts? Advice? Thank you!
Is it good idea to have waterproof shoes, ie Gortex lined, for the rainy part of the trail? My hiking boots are waterproof, but my trail runners are not. I am contemplating which pair to bring. I will be walking Camino Frances for the first time, and should be arriving the vicinity of Galicia about late October. With the almost certain heavy rain, I worry about not having waterproof shoes. Thank you in advance.
I am leaving for the Camino on Aug. 27. I work full time shift work and just simply do not have time to walk back to back days for kilometres on end as I also have to attend to my daily life. I am on my feet for 12 hours at a time, my fitbit tells me I walk over 9 miles in a shift !! No, I don't count that as training (well I sorta do). I try to walk a good 15 - 20 km walk once a week in the mountains .. up and down and up and down. I try to walk a few 5 - 8 km walks during the week, sometimes I can, sometimes I can't. I have done a couple of walks with my pack. I do what I can. I am over 50 and in decentish shape ... oh, and overweight .. but I have no doubt that I can do my Camino if I take my time for the first 2 weeks. You can do it too. I kept telling myself today on my mountain hike ... if I can do this then I can do the Camino.
Really enjoyed your blog Robo ....You'll do great. I was a couch potato sitting behind a desk all day
Our training involved walking with a pack, gradually increasing its weight until we knew we could carry what we needed happily. The emphasis is on 'needed'
The correct footwear is part of the training. Personally we favour lightweight walking boots which keep the water out, and in October it will not be over hot. We wear ours in May-June in Spain. Check that they are a good fit and not sweaty at home - we ditched one make for that reason. We still love our Hi-tec lightweight leather boots which come just over the ankle and are OK 'staright out of the box', although we do wear them in a little. Never had any problems with them, but did with the Grisport brand. If you have other shoes/boots that suit you then stick with them IMO.
Boots edited inTerry's left, mine right.
Really enjoyed your blog Robo ....
Laura I have very good friends who will be walking with my wife and me in late April -May They live in Dallas and would like to get some first hand info Any wsy to pm then
Boots are made by Hi-tec - the website has links to different countries and USA is included. Ours were Altitude IV waterproof lightweight leather. Later model now made.Tia Valeria: What brand boots do you use that are "lightweight walking boots". I wear Lowa boots with gortex - they feel lighter than some of the more structured boots I tried. Are yours lighter than these?
My question - do I need to do a lot of training before I go? I am relatively "tough" mentally, so I know I can handle it from that perspective. I went out and walked 16 km the other day with a friend, without any difficulty, but I am not sure what it is like day after day after day. Any thoughts? Advice? Thank you!
I want to walk the Camino Frances. I am a 55 year old woman. I am healthy, with no particular injuries, but I am not in amazing shape. In my 20s and 30s, I did a lot of hiking, climbing, running, but kids came along and I put myself on the back burner. Now I am ready to rediscover myself - mentally and physically - and I think a physical and spiritual journey like the Camino sounds wonderful.
My question - do I need to do a lot of training before I go? I am relatively "tough" mentally, so I know I can handle it from that perspective. I went out and walked 16 km the other day with a friend, without any difficulty, but I am not sure what it is like day after day after day. Any thoughts? Advice? Thank you!
There appear to be lots of opinions on this, so I will just share my experience. I trained by walking lots of miles in my boots and felt great. Added a fully loaded backpack and the wheels came off. Sesamoiditis and a rotated pelvis - both very painful. Fortunately, both were correctible and I had the time to take care of it before leaving for Spain. If you have the time and opportunity to train, I feel it is highly advisable to do so and consider adding that pack - it might make a huge difference.I want to walk the Camino Frances. I am a 55 year old woman. I am healthy, with no particular injuries, but I am not in amazing shape. In my 20s and 30s, I did a lot of hiking, climbing, running, but kids came along and I put myself on the back burner. Now I am ready to rediscover myself - mentally and physically - and I think a physical and spiritual journey like the Camino sounds wonderful.
My question - do I need to do a lot of training before I go? I am relatively "tough" mentally, so I know I can handle it from that perspective. I went out and walked 16 km the other day with a friend, without any difficulty, but I am not sure what it is like day after day after day. Any thoughts? Advice? Thank you!
I pretty much agree as i found the first two weeks great but got over sure of my self and pushed a bit further and faster than i should have and ended up with shin splints which slowed me back down . but got there and if you pace yourself you will too, enjoy the journey cos its oddly wonderful and also sad to get to the end of an amazing journey,.Training is over rated
As long as you are fairly fit and have done some regular walking to wear in your footwear you'll be fine.
As I was very unfit and overweight I started to ramp up my training 4 months out...........and as a result at 2 months out developed Achilles Tendonitis. Then wrecked my back 4 weeks out. Another story.
I was only able to actually walk (with a limp) a week before I departed for my Camino. So I had not trained for 2 months. I hadn't even walked more than 200 metres for 2 months...... Let alone carry a back pack. Throwing on my pack leaving Sydney was a shock and my tendons sure let me know!
I arrived in St Jean.........unfit and over weight. But I made it. in 40 days. A bit fitter by the end, but not much lighter (wine and food). And still with a limp.
All my great 'virtual friends' here told me not to worry, but use the first few days on the Camino for training. Which I did. Only 8 kms day 1. It was day 4 before I got up to 20 kms. A couple of weeks later I was doing 30 kms. (But that proved too far for my screwed up legs/feet) 20-22 / day was my sweet spot.
My point?
Don't stress over training. I met people who were probably 20 KG overweight. And they made it. (I was 10 over).
I met people aged 75 that I could not keep up with.
I met people with hip problems.
I met people with disabilities.
I met a guy with a wooden leg!
Guess what..........they all made it...........
To me the Camino is all about attitude and mental strength..... If you really want to get there, you will.
OK, OK..... being fitter and not so overweight will make it a bit easier
Just make sure your footwear is good, worn in and take all the advice about avoiding and treating blisters. Anything else, you can easily deal with.
After thought..... What type of training can you realistically do for the Camino? What will prepare you for the day after day pounding that your lower body and back takes?
I would suggest general fitness/cardio training. Leg and joint strengthening. What do others think?
I was surprised how my body deteriorated the further I walked. I managed 14 days before my first day off. (Burgos) Then only about 7 days apart after that.
I think what caused my overall decline, in the sense that I had to shorten my daily distances, was over doing it midway.
Once I was comfortable with 20-22 kms I should have stayed with that. But accommodation options and over optimism pushed me to do 31 kms the day before arriving in Burgos. That caused some damage that I probably never really recovered from.
A couple of other long days really started shin pain on top of the Achilles pain. By the end I was down to 15 km days. Pushing 20 on the final 2 days.
My point? Monitor how your body is coping very closely......... Pushing too far too early can jeopardise your whole journey....
But there again........I'm a 58 YO overweight couch potatoOthers seem to find it a breeze
This argument is flawed. What about the numbers who had these limitations who didn't make it. It's great that some did, but not an indication that not preparing physically is in any way a reasonable approach to making it.My point?
Don't stress over training. I met people who were probably 20 KG overweight. And they made it. (I was 10 over).
I met people aged 75 that I could not keep up with.
I met people with hip problems.
I met people with disabilities.
I met a guy with a wooden leg!
Guess what..........they all made it...........
Can I suggest it will make it a LOT easier.OK, OK..... being fitter and not so overweight will make it a bit easier
Quite a lot. Good walk preparation does not require doing long walks, but can be done by doing a little bit most days with a gradually increasing longer walk on one day a week. I would recommend something like the program here. If you take an approach like this, and put in a couple of back to back longer walks on the the two weekends before you leave, I think that would be realistic physical preparation.What type of training can you realistically do for the Camino?
Can I suggest it will make it a LOT easier.
I support you here, but there is a world of difference between not putting someone off and, on the face of it, suggesting that it unnecessary to make reasonable preparations of any kind.No argument Doug
Though I think people should not be put off walking if for some reason their training was inadequate or curtailed in some way....
I support you here, but there is a world of difference between not putting someone off and, on the face of it, suggesting that it unnecessary to make reasonable preparations of any kind.
. Get yourself a pair of walking poles. Your knees will thank you!I want to walk the Camino Frances. I am a 55 year old woman. I am healthy, with no particular injuries, but I am not in amazing shape. In my 20s and 30s, I did a lot of hiking, climbing, running, but kids came along and I put myself on the back burner. Now I am ready to rediscover myself - mentally and physically - and I think a physical and spiritual journey like the Camino sounds wonderful.
My question - do I need to do a lot of training before I go? I am relatively "tough" mentally, so I know I can handle it from that perspective. I went out and walked 16 km the other day with a friend, without any difficulty, but I am not sure what it is like day after day after day. Any thoughts? Advice? Thank you!
I just staggered back from a 3.5 hr walk copiously blistered and aching from the knees down. I set out cheerily, fully confident after coping fine with 2 hr walks. The thought of having to do twice today's marathon is beyond challenging. The thought of finding this out after starting a camino is frankly horrifying. My advice to all sexagenarians out there debating the necessity of training is - DO IT. You won't be striding confidently through those inspiring vistas, enjoying spiritual epiphanies. You'll be hobbling along in a world of pain.
. Get yourself a pair of walking poles. Your knees will thank you!
Excellent advice. Thank you for sharing your approach.To me there are two different types of training. I started by just walking on the flat and building up the distance to 15 miles over a period of 5 weeks or so, I have to say I found this quite boring. Then I proceed to tackle the hills that surround where I live, again doing about 15 miles, I must add that my walking pace is approximately 2.5 mph, this I find a nice stay pace.
After a couple of months I introduced my backpack into the equation, what a difference that made. I started off with the weight I'll be carrying on the camino. My first walk up and down the hills was 5 miles and I have to say it took a few miles to get the pack set right. That was a few weeks ago, I've added a couple of extra Kg's to my pack for training purposes and today completed my first 10 mile hike, again over the hills. With breaks I covered this in 4 ½ hours, so it would appear that I'm still keeping up my mph.
I have 5 weeks to go before stepping out from SJPdP so hopefully I'll be ready for the unknown.
For me I think it would be daunting to start with no training what so ever, although I know a lot of pilgrims have indicated that they did it this way.
If in doubt work out, it can't do you any harm and at least it will iron out all the bugs in your equipment and body.
Buen Camino
Regular walks with your shoes,socks jacket and a pack does help.Factor in the days spent travelling to Spain/France-it takes a day or two to get over the air travel.Also it's well worth having your pack transported for the really steep bits eg to the Iron Cross and to O Cebreiro particularly if it's been wet.Gradient,smooth granite and mud-particularly if horses have been through can make for a difficult walk-Hiking poles also make a real difference.Buen CaminoTraining is over rated
As long as you are fairly fit and have done some regular walking to wear in your footwear you'll be fine.
As I was very unfit and overweight I started to ramp up my training 4 months out...........and as a result at 2 months out developed Achilles Tendonitis. Then wrecked my back 4 weeks out. Another story.
I was only able to actually walk (with a limp) a week before I departed for my Camino. So I had not trained for 2 months. I hadn't even walked more than 200 metres for 2 months...... Let alone carry a back pack. Throwing on my pack leaving Sydney was a shock and my tendons sure let me know!
I arrived in St Jean.........unfit and over weight. But I made it. in 40 days. A bit fitter by the end, but not much lighter (wine and food). And still with a limp.
All my great 'virtual friends' here told me not to worry, but use the first few days on the Camino for training. Which I did. Only 8 kms day 1. It was day 4 before I got up to 20 kms. A couple of weeks later I was doing 30 kms. (But that proved too far for my screwed up legs/feet) 20-22 / day was my sweet spot.
My point?
Don't stress over training. I met people who were probably 20 KG overweight. And they made it. (I was 10 over).
I met people aged 75 that I could not keep up with.
I met people with hip problems.
I met people with disabilities.
I met a guy with a wooden leg!
Guess what..........they all made it...........
To me the Camino is all about attitude and mental strength..... If you really want to get there, you will.
OK, OK..... being fitter and not so overweight will make it a bit easier
Just make sure your footwear is good, worn in and take all the advice about avoiding and treating blisters. Anything else, you can easily deal with.
After thought..... What type of training can you realistically do for the Camino? What will prepare you for the day after day pounding that your lower body and back takes?
I would suggest general fitness/cardio training. Leg and joint strengthening. What do others think?
I was surprised how my body deteriorated the further I walked. I managed 14 days before my first day off. (Burgos) Then only about 7 days apart after that.
I think what caused my overall decline, in the sense that I had to shorten my daily distances, was over doing it midway.
Once I was comfortable with 20-22 kms I should have stayed with that. But accommodation options and over optimism pushed me to do 31 kms the day before arriving in Burgos. That caused some damage that I probably never really recovered from.
A couple of other long days really started shin pain on top of the Achilles pain. By the end I was down to 15 km days. Pushing 20 on the final 2 days.
My point? Monitor how your body is coping very closely......... Pushing too far too early can jeopardise your whole journey....
But there again........I'm a 58 YO overweight couch potatoOthers seem to find it a breeze
Thanks Falcon269 and Wayfarer! It is reasonable to think I could do the whole journey in 5 weeks or is that a bit overambitious?
Dear Cooperplus. No one can tell you how much to train for this walk but yourself but it is all about how your body is responding to long walks. I started my training for next years Camino in April this year and I still feel it is somewhat of a struggle. I am 64 and in good shape, but age does have an effect and so does your spiritual condition. My best advice to you is to listen to your body and your heart and prepare yourself in good time. Buen Camino!I want to walk the Camino Frances. I am a 55 year old woman. I am healthy, with no particular injuries, but I am not in amazing shape. In my 20s and 30s, I did a lot of hiking, climbing, running, but kids came along and I put myself on the back burner. Now I am ready to rediscover myself - mentally and physically - and I think a physical and spiritual journey like the Camino sounds wonderful.
My question - do I need to do a lot of training before I go? I am relatively "tough" mentally, so I know I can handle it from that perspective. I went out and walked 16 km the other day with a friend, without any difficulty, but I am not sure what it is like day after day after day. Any thoughts? Advice? Thank you!
For me I think it would be daunting to start with no training what so ever, although I know a lot of pilgrims have indicated that they did it this way.
I have done a Camino Frances with Gore-tex and without Gore-tex.Is it good idea to have waterproof shoes, ie Gortex lined, for the rainy part of the trail? My hiking boots are waterproof, but my trail runners are not. I am contemplating which pair to bring. I will be walking Camino Frances for the first time, and should be arriving the vicinity of Galicia about late October. With the almost certain heavy rain, I worry about not having waterproof shoes. Thank you in advance.
Thank you Paul and other members' inputs regarding my question of Gore-Tex/waterproof footwear. So Paul, sounds like you'd rather wear non Gore-Tex boots if you're to do another CF, correct? I've been doing some long walks testing out my Gore-tex boots, and you are right that the feet do feel hotter than wearing normal shoes. I thought Gore-Tex is a special membrane that supposedly "breath", but still it does feel hotter inside.I have done a Camino Frances with Gore-tex and without Gore-tex.
With Gore-tex your feet will be hotter and more prone to blisters on 90% of the days which are dry and get wet eventually anyway on wet days.
Non Gore-tex boots get wetter faster - but also dry faster.
I thought Gore-Tex is a special membrane that supposedly "breath", but still it does feel hotter inside.
Thank you Paul and other members' inputs regarding my question of Gore-Tex/waterproof footwear. So Paul, sounds like you'd rather wear non Gore-Tex boots if you're to do another CF, correct? I've been doing some long walks testing out my Gore-tex boots, and you are right that the feet do feel hotter than wearing normal shoes. I thought Gore-Tex is a special membrane that supposedly "breath", but still it does feel hotter inside.
I want to walk the Camino Frances. I am a 55 year old woman. I am healthy, with no particular injuries, but I am not in amazing shape. In my 20s and 30s, I did a lot of hiking, climbing, running, but kids came along and I put myself on the back burner. Now I am ready to rediscover myself - mentally and physically - and I think a physical and spiritual journey like the Camino sounds wonderful.
My question - do I need to do a lot of training before I go? I am relatively "tough" mentally, so I know I can handle it from that perspective. I went out and walked 16 km the other day with a friend, without any difficulty, but I am not sure what it is like day after day after day. Any thoughts? Advice? Thank you!
Actually the plan was 2.5 hrs but the added segment proved longer than expected. I don't know the distances which is a source of continual frustration. On the Canberra site you've recommended in previous posts, the training programme switches between times and distance walked. Not a simple matter to work out distances on a circuitous suburban walk.@Lachance, I don't think I would have recommended stepping up from 2 hrs to 3.5 hrs in one hit. What distances were involved? I ask because I normally only try to increase my walking time for my long walk by 30 min or so a week. For me, what you have done would have taken at least three weeks.
Footpaths, walking on the grass verge when there was one. I was walking at a brisk pace for me, but was mortified to be effortlessly overtaken by a couple of gossiping teenagers and a down at heel looking middle-aged man. I'm fairly confident none of them were trying.Was it on roads/hard surfaces? Were you carrying a pack? Too much walking on roads during training gave me tendonitis.... And I found walking the Camino that hard surfaces were much harder on feet/joints/legs than gravel, earth, grass... Anything was better than asphalt / concrete.
Were you walking fast? Walking at a comfortable pace is essential and don't overstride...
Double socks? Blisters after 3 1/2 hours indicates something is wrong. Footwear or socks.
Training is important to iron these things out. Just no need to go mad. You're not training for the Olympics.
The single socks were probably much of the cause of the blisters IMO. We actually favour triple socks and have walked several times now with no blisters. Ultra thin wicking liners, lightweight mohair middle and cushion sole mohair outer layers. Boots bought to fit that combination. In extreme heat (for us) swapping the middle pair for a second pair of the wicking liners worked.Footpaths, walking on the grass verge when there was one. I was walking at a brisk pace for me, but was mortified to be effortlessly overtaken by a couple of gossiping teenagers and a down at heel looking middle-aged man. I'm fairly confident none of them were trying.
And no, I usually wear double socks but they were in the wash, so only 1 pair of med merinos. Wondered if that might explain the blisters. Thanks for the feedback.
Footpaths, walking on the grass verge when there was one. I was walking at a brisk pace for me, but was mortified to be effortlessly overtaken by a couple of gossiping teenagers and a down at heel looking middle-aged man. I'm fairly confident none of them were trying.
And no, I usually wear double socks but they were in the wash, so only 1 pair of med merinos. Wondered if that might explain the blisters. Thanks for the feedback.
Actually the plan was 2.5 hrs but the added segment proved longer than expected. I don't know the distances which is a source of continual frustration. On the Canberra site you've recommended in previous posts, the training programme switches between times and distance walked. Not a simple matter to work out distances on a circuitous suburban walk.
Anyway, it's good to hear 30 min increase pw is a realistic goal, thanks.
The single socks were probably much of the cause of the blisters IMO. We actually favour triple socks and have walked several times now with no blisters. Ultra thin wicking liners, lightweight mohair middle and cushion sole mohair outer layers. Boots bought to fit that combination.
Central Spain is dry. The fine dust that stirs as you walk plugs the mesh of the fine Gore-tex membrane and it continues to become even less effective.Thank you Paul and other members' inputs regarding my question of Gore-Tex/waterproof footwear. So Paul, sounds like you'd rather wear non Gore-Tex boots if you're to do another CF, correct? I've been doing some long walks testing out my Gore-tex boots, and you are right that the feet do feel hotter than wearing normal shoes. I thought Gore-Tex is a special membrane that supposedly "breath", but still it does feel hotter inside.
I want to walk the Camino Frances. I am a 55 year old woman. I am healthy, with no particular injuries, but I am not in amazing shape. In my 20s and 30s, I did a lot of hiking, climbing, running, but kids came along and I put myself on the back burner. Now I am ready to rediscover myself - mentally and physically - and I think a physical and spiritual journey like the Camino sounds wonderful.
My question - do I need to do a lot of training before I go? I am relatively "tough" mentally, so I know I can handle it from that perspective. I went out and walked 16 km the other day with a friend, without any difficulty, but I am not sure what it is like day after day after day. Any thoughts? Advice? Thank you!
I have used a simple pedometer (step counter) both on "training" walks and on the Camino. Once you have set it up to your step length etc. stick it in your pocket and it does give a good indication of distance etc. Cheap and cheerful to buy on Amazon etc!
Blessings on your "training"
Tio Tel
While I agree that it is important to build up to the longer distances, just doing long walks is not necessarily the best preparation. There is a training program from Aussie Walks here to prepare for the walking marathon at the International Two Day Walk held in Canberra each year. Most of the weekday activities can be conducted on a local sports ground with a 400m track, and don't take more than an hour. Longer walks are limited to one day on the weekend. This is a reasonable pattern for someone who is working to follow.For the Camino you need to take long distance walks.
What happened to your z-poles?My friend Robyn and I did some serious training today. We walked around a few hiking shops and bought some new trekking sticks.
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