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Expect to be worn out. I usually hit the wall about two weeks into a camino. You can choose to rest, or push through it. Regardless, stay well below the exhaustion point. If that means 10 to 15 km per day, then that is your limit, at least for a little while. Your muscles will recover, but your joint connective tissue, including shin splints, won't. Stay below your limit, and use ice (hielo) and anti-inflammatory medicine.These have left me absolutely exhausted and my body needs a day or so rest to recover. Knowing that I need to do these distances every day for 30+ days has me now a little worried. My dilemma is whether continuing these training walks will completely wear me out before I start or should I be increasing the frequency to improve walking fitness?
Hi all,
I'm 6 weeks away from starting the Camino Frances from SJPP. I'm in my 50"s and would have a reasonably good level of fitness. As long distance walking is a different discipline, over the past two months I've been walking three times per week, distances between 20KM and 30KM in each walk. These have left me absolutely exhausted and my body needs a day or so rest to recover. Knowing that I need to do these distances every day for 30+ days has me now a little worried. My dilemma is whether continuing these training walks will completely wear me out before I start or should I be increasing the frequency to improve walking fitness? I would be grateful for any advice from experienced Camino travellers.
Regards,
Gerard.
Hi all,
I'm 6 weeks away from starting the Camino Frances from SJPP. I'm in my 50"s and would have a reasonably good level of fitness. As long distance walking is a different discipline, over the past two months I've been walking three times per week, distances between 20KM and 30KM in each walk. These have left me absolutely exhausted and my body needs a day or so rest to recover. Knowing that I need to do these distances every day for 30+ days has me now a little worried. My dilemma is whether continuing these training walks will completely wear me out before I start or should I be increasing the frequency to improve walking fitness? I would be grateful for any advice from experienced Camino travellers.
Regards,
Gerard.
Gerard, I find that 5 km per day, brisk walk, and a 12-15 km full hike on the weekend is good for me (I'm 66). Keeps me fit and in shape without exhaustion. We're some 70 days away from our next Camino. As we get closer, I'll up the distance. Of course, I'm dealing with Summer in Central Florida now.Hi all,
I'm 6 weeks away from starting the Camino Frances from SJPP. I'm in my 50"s and would have a reasonably good level of fitness. As long distance walking is a different discipline, over the past two months I've been walking three times per week, distances between 20KM and 30KM in each walk. These have left me absolutely exhausted and my body needs a day or so rest to recover. Knowing that I need to do these distances every day for 30+ days has me now a little worried. My dilemma is whether continuing these training walks will completely wear me out before I start or should I be increasing the frequency to improve walking fitness? I would be grateful for any advice from experienced Camino travellers.
Regards,
Gerard.
That is always good advice, but the Camino is not a good place to overdo it for the first time! One reason boxers spar is so that the ring is not the first time they get hit in the nose...Right now my body is telling me not to overdo it...
You've cropped out the numbers, spoilsport!
Totally agree. When all you have to do all day is walk, it's less exhaustingI found the walking the Camino to be generally easier than my training walks
Hi GerardHi all,
I'm 6 weeks away from starting the Camino Frances from SJPP. I'm in my 50"s and would have a reasonably good level of fitness. As long distance walking is a different discipline, over the past two months I've been walking three times per week, distances between 20KM and 30KM in each walk. These have left me absolutely exhausted and my body needs a day or so rest to recover. Knowing that I need to do these distances every day for 30+ days has me now a little worried. My dilemma is whether continuing these training walks will completely wear me out before I start or should I be increasing the frequency to improve walking fitness? I would be grateful for any advice from experienced Camino travellers.
Regards,
Gerard.
It is easier than training at home it think because you are not worrying about the day to day life and having to fit work in etc. Just walk. So much nicer I think.I just want to reiterate what november_moon said. I found walking on the Camino much easier than my training walks, even though few of my training walks were as long as my average Camino day. On the Camino I had beautiful scenery to look at, new friends to talk to, and was always a short distance from the next cup of coffee, meal stop, or day's destination. Also, the dirt paths are much easier on the feet and legs! Although I worried before my Camino that my longish weekend hikes and occasional weekday walks were not enough training, i did not have any trouble walking 20-25 k.per day on the Camino.
definitely "Squadra Lumaca" Team Snail. [B said:Took it really slow ... on purpose. and with relish![/B]
11km first day
16 km second day
and then my body claimed a 'rest day'.
PrintScr allows moving the frame around, but then copies the screen as selected. Scale relative is not good enough?You've cropped out the numbers, spoilsport!
Hello,Hi all,
I'm 6 weeks away from starting the Camino Frances from SJPP. I'm in my 50"s and would have a reasonably good level of fitness. As long distance walking is a different discipline, over the past two months I've been walking three times per week, distances between 20KM and 30KM in each walk. These have left me absolutely exhausted and my body needs a day or so rest to recover. Knowing that I need to do these distances every day for 30+ days has me now a little worried. My dilemma is whether continuing these training walks will completely wear me out before I start or should I be increasing the frequency to improve walking fitness? I would be grateful for any advice from experienced Camino travellers.
Regards,
Gerard.
I agree with your idea of minimizing external factors, but the Camino is not the right place to discover for the first time the stresses on neck, shoulder, back, hip, and thighs from a pack. Walk with your pack fully loaded for enough times to know what to expect, and to strengthen the actual muscles that will carry/balance the backpack load. Even fifteen pounds is not a trivial amount to carry for six to eight hours a day for a month!Do not carry your backpack or any weights when training.
You want to strengthen your body in its natural posture and not whilst its hunched up and struggling under weight.
Diane,
I agree with your attitude! We have been doing training walks with our packs and we are taking Spanish classes. We will give each other support while we are on The Way. We are planning to leave SJPP on August 28th.
Why do you think you have to start at SJPP? It is dangerous and not very enjoyable to push yourself beyond the point of exhaustion in order to complete the "full" camino. (Really? Traditionally, pilgrims walked out their front door and started walking, who says the camino starts there?) Why don't you start at Burgos and take your time, 15 to 20 km a day instead. The one thing that you should really practice for are the very steep descents as this is something that few talk about but it can be the breaking point. This is the test of how well your boots really fit, and how well you knees and shins are going to hold up. Keep up the consistant training, but shorter distances, and take lots of breaks. Also hydration can be key, drinking a minimum half litre an hour will keep your muscles happy. Good luck!Hi all,
I'm 6 weeks away from starting the Camino Frances from SJPP. I'm in my 50"s and would have a reasonably good level of fitness. As long distance walking is a different discipline, over the past two months I've been walking three times per week, distances between 20KM and 30KM in each walk. These have left me absolutely exhausted and my body needs a day or so rest to recover. Knowing that I need to do these distances every day for 30+ days has me now a little worried. My dilemma is whether continuing these training walks will completely wear me out before I start or should I be increasing the frequency to improve walking fitness? I would be grateful for any advice from experienced Camino travellers.
Regards,
Gerard.
Hi Gerard,Hi all,
I'm 6 weeks away from starting the Camino Frances from SJPP. I'm in my 50"s and would have a reasonably good level of fitness. As long distance walking is a different discipline, over the past two months I've been walking three times per week, distances between 20KM and 30KM in each walk. These have left me absolutely exhausted and my body needs a day or so rest to recover. Knowing that I need to do these distances every day for 30+ days has me now a little worried. My dilemma is whether continuing these training walks will completely wear me out before I start or should I be increasing the frequency to improve walking fitness? I would be grateful for any advice from experienced Camino travellers.
Regards,
Gerard.
Hi all,
I'm 6 weeks away from starting the Camino Frances from SJPP. I'm in my 50"s and would have a reasonably good level of fitness. As long distance walking is a different discipline, over the past two months I've been walking three times per week, distances between 20KM and 30KM in each walk. These have left me absolutely exhausted and my body needs a day or so rest to recover. Knowing that I need to do these distances every day for 30+ days has me now a little worried. My dilemma is whether continuing these training walks will completely wear me out before I start or should I be increasing the frequency to improve walking fitness? I would be grateful for any advice from experienced Camino travellers.
Regards,
Gerard.
Hi Gerard,Expect to be worn out. I usually hit the wall about two weeks into a camino. You can choose to rest, or push through it. Regardless, stay well below the exhaustion point. If that means 10 to 15 km per day, then that is your limit, at least for a little while. Your muscles will recover, but your joint connective tissue, including shin splints, won't. Stay below your limit, and use ice (hielo) and anti-inflammatory medicine.
Guess when I walked caminos from this weight chart from my wifi scale:
View attachment 11451
There are a few very important things you are all missing. To fully enjoy the Camino you must get your body into shape and prepared for what can be some very gruelling challenges:
(1) cafe con leche - train by visiting a coffee shop every few mornings for a month before you leave. Ask for a latte but ensure that the milk is heated to scalding point. You should be able to increase your consumption until at least two a day.
(2) gradually replace bacon and eggs or cereal for breakfast with refined flour, sugar and fat. Get to the point where you can at least tolerate a media luna or madrileña. Real athletes can face chocolate with churros. During the first days of the Camino you should take it slowly, so an occasional tortilla español is advisable.
(3) push the envelope by delaying lunch a little more each day until 2 or 3pm feels comfortable. When you are in the swing of that time zone, practice assiduously by having 3 courses, accompanied by a glass of red wine. Take a nap afterwards.
(4) your body needs plenty of sleep on Camino and you need to be inured to a sound level roughly equivalent to a jackhammer, interspersed with cannon shot. It is hard to duplicate this off Camino, but I suggest camping out in the house of a friend with twin babies suffering colic and nightmares.
Buen Camino!
Diane! We will be departing SJPDP on August 28 also! Stephanie Winslow and Dan Moore. Probably not until about 11 am or so as we want to relax in the am, enjoy the town a bit, get stamped and buy walking sticks and hopefully a scallop shell! We stop in Orisson our first night. Going over the mountain slowly and carefully. Hope to meet you!Diane,
I agree with your attitude! We have been doing training walks with our packs and we are taking Spanish classes. We will give each other support while we are on The Way. We are planning to leave SJPP on August 28th.
Hi all,
I'm 6 weeks away from starting the Camino Frances from SJPP. I'm in my 50"s and would have a reasonably good level of fitness. As long distance walking is a different discipline, over the past two months I've been walking three times per week, distances between 20KM and 30KM in each walk. These have left me absolutely exhausted and my body needs a day or so rest to recover. Knowing that I need to do these distances every day for 30+ days has me now a little worried. My dilemma is whether continuing these training walks will completely wear me out before I start or should I be increasing the frequency to improve walking fitness? I would be grateful for any advice from experienced Camino travellers.
Regards,
Gerard.
I LOVE this reply! Made me laugh. My cousin and I (both late 50's) arrive in SJPP August 30, setting out September 1st. I've been doing lots of training, just now adding weight to the pack. I train in wilderness, with intermittent stretches along a local golf course. I pretend the 10th hole snack shack is a cafe. I pretend the trail maps are yellow arrows. I should be good to go with (3)... we have a wine cellar to prove it . I should be also be ready to go re (4); my husband and dog have given me lots of practice with that one! Have a wonderful day! It seems many of the replies to this post are setting out roughly the same time we are. Look out for two Canadian cousins who laugh a lot.There are a few very important things you are all missing. To fully enjoy the Camino you must get your body into shape and prepared for what can be some very gruelling challenges:
(1) cafe con leche - train by visiting a coffee shop every few mornings for a month before you leave. Ask for a latte but ensure that the milk is heated to scalding point. You should be able to increase your consumption until at least two a day.
(2) gradually replace bacon and eggs or cereal for breakfast with refined flour, sugar and fat. Get to the point where you can at least tolerate a media luna or madrileña. Real athletes can face chocolate with churros. During the first days of the Camino you should take it slowly, so an occasional tortilla español is advisable.
(3) push the envelope by delaying lunch a little more each day until 2 or 3pm feels comfortable. When you are in the swing of that time zone, practice assiduously by having 3 courses, accompanied by a glass of red wine. Take a nap afterwards.
(4) your body needs plenty of sleep on Camino and you need to be inured to a sound level roughly equivalent to a jackhammer, interspersed with cannon shot. It is hard to duplicate this off Camino, but I suggest camping out in the house of a friend with twin babies suffering colic and nightmares.
Buen Camino!
There are a few very important things you are all missing. To fully enjoy the Camino you must get your body into shape and prepared for what can be some very gruelling challenges:
(1) cafe con leche - train by visiting a coffee shop every few mornings for a month before you leave. Ask for a latte but ensure that the milk is heated to scalding point. You should be able to increase your consumption until at least two a day.
(2) gradually replace bacon and eggs or cereal for breakfast with refined flour, sugar and fat. Get to the point where you can at least tolerate a media luna or madrileña. Real athletes can face chocolate with churros. During the first days of the Camino you should take it slowly, so an occasional tortilla español is advisable.
(3) push the envelope by delaying lunch a little more each day until 2 or 3pm feels comfortable. When you are in the swing of that time zone, practice assiduously by having 3 courses, accompanied by a glass of red wine. Take a nap afterwards.
(4) your body needs plenty of sleep on Camino and you need to be inured to a sound level roughly equivalent to a jackhammer, interspersed with cannon shot. It is hard to duplicate this off Camino, but I suggest camping out in the house of a friend with twin babies suffering colic and nightmares.
Buen Camino!
Sometimes on the Camino in the middle of the night I would wake up and think there was no way I would be able to walk in the morning. I could feel my feet throbbing, and I would feel exhausted. But remarkably, each morning I felt better, and once I got moving, I felt better yet!
Way to go Don!!! BTW, we are in Dryden just on the other side of Ithaca. Have a Buen Camino!GerFol What a wonderful seminar on Preparing for el Camino. It lays out before you, the essentials. Positive Attitude, Mental conditioning, adding distances in increments, listen to your body, consistency and discipline, being reasonable while adventurous.
I would add Minimize the references to age. I see people saying: "getting old- 55, advanced age-60, maybe my body is not up to it-45, not as young as I used to be- pushing 48 now". How much of that is a set-up for not doing well, or even for failure. I really do not know what age is "old" or what "elderly" us. My wife and I walk 2 + miles every day and many days I stretch that out to 5. We often bike together some 6 to 20 miles. We play Pickleball and Tennis. I have been riding a bike regularly for many years, so it is not out of ordinary to do 30-60 miles a couple of times a week, and I am not special nor Superman. It is priority setting, and focusing.....plus having a partner to do it with from time to time.
A few weeks after we finish this Camino, Donna and I will be 77yrs, and THAT is not old nor elderly. The point is...possibilities are enormous , and what you can or can't do is not set by the calendar. Expect to do more than you think.
Give attention to all these good words of counsel, and be hopeful.
I love the can-do attitude, but there are effects from aging.I would add Minimize the references to age. I see people saying: "getting old- 55, advanced age-60, maybe my body is not up to it-45, not as young as I used to be- pushing 48 now". How much of that is a set-up for not doing well, or even for failure. I really do not know what age is "old" or what "elderly" us.
Expect to do more than you think.
I love the can-do attitude, but there are effects from aging.If you minimize them, you also can set-up for not doing well. More is not better. Do not expect to do more than you think. Some can do more than others at any age, but that does not make anyone young again. Accept some slowing and some limits, and success is nearly assured.
Hi all,
I'm 6 weeks away from starting the Camino Frances from SJPP. I'm in my 50"s and would have a reasonably good level of fitness. As long distance walking is a different discipline, over the past two months I've been walking three times per week, distances between 20KM and 30KM in each walk. These have left me absolutely exhausted and my body needs a day or so rest to recover. Knowing that I need to do these distances every day for 30+ days has me now a little worried. My dilemma is whether continuing these training walks will completely wear me out before I start or should I be increasing the frequency to improve walking fitness? I would be grateful for any advice from experienced Camino travellers.
Regards,
Gerard.
I went to Cortland State Teachers College, NYS, and there was a good reputation forI was of the opinion while half way through the Camino that you can't really train for this sort of thing. Stretching and foot care were the most important things that worked for me and taking it slow. I also would completely stop training a week before the trip to make sure your muscles are completely healed and not over worked from exercise. I think the advice above is excellent just make sure you stretch your legs and walking poles help take the stress of your joints - at least I found they did. Honestly I don't know how much you can improve your condition in 6 weeks. Might be better to stick to your training and make sure you are well rested before you start.
Buen Camino!
I'm starting on the Le Puy route in France, can't wait to find out if I've "practiced" enough. Looking forward to the yummi foodThere are a few very important things you are all missing. To fully enjoy the Camino you must get your body into shape and prepared for what can be some very gruelling challenges:
(1) cafe con leche - train by visiting a coffee shop every few mornings for a month before you leave. Ask for a latte but ensure that the milk is heated to scalding point. You should be able to increase your consumption until at least two a day.
(2) gradually replace bacon and eggs or cereal for breakfast with refined flour, sugar and fat. Get to the point where you can at least tolerate a media luna or madrileña. Real athletes can face chocolate with churros. During the first days of the Camino you should take it slowly, so an occasional tortilla español is advisable.
(3) push the envelope by delaying lunch a little more each day until 2 or 3pm feels comfortable. When you are in the swing of that time zone, practice assiduously by having 3 courses, accompanied by a glass of red wine. Take a nap afterwards.
(4) your body needs plenty of sleep on Camino and you need to be inured to a sound level roughly equivalent to a jackhammer, interspersed with cannon shot. It is hard to duplicate this off Camino, but I suggest camping out in the house of a friend with twin babies suffering colic and nightmares.
Buen Camino!
Kanga, I love this - put a smile on my face.There are a few very important things you are all missing. To fully enjoy the Camino you must get your body into shape and prepared for what can be some very gruelling challenges:
(1) cafe con leche - train by visiting a coffee shop every few mornings for a month before you leave. Ask for a latte but ensure that the milk is heated to scalding point. You should be able to increase your consumption until at least two a day.
(2) gradually replace bacon and eggs or cereal for breakfast with refined flour, sugar and fat. Get to the point where you can at least tolerate a media luna or madrileña. Real athletes can face chocolate with churros. During the first days of the Camino you should take it slowly, so an occasional tortilla español is advisable.
(3) push the envelope by delaying lunch a little more each day until 2 or 3pm feels comfortable. When you are in the swing of that time zone, practice assiduously by having 3 courses, accompanied by a glass of red wine. Take a nap afterwards.
(4) your body needs plenty of sleep on Camino and you need to be inured to a sound level roughly equivalent to a jackhammer, interspersed with cannon shot. It is hard to duplicate this off Camino, but I suggest camping out in the house of a friend with twin babies suffering colic and nightmares.
Buen Camino!
This seems like an old post, so I am sure most of this has been rehashed multiple times, and this is not a training advise per se, but I wish someone has given me this advise before my Camino:
"Walk in the boot/shoe you intended to wear for at least 40km within a week, and if you feel any hot spots on your foot change/modify your foot wear before you head out to Camino!"
Hey CaptGerard, I find that 5 km per day, brisk walk, and a 12-15 km full hike on the weekend is good for me (I'm 66). Keeps me fit and in shape without exhaustion. We're some 70 days away from our next Camino. As we get closer, I'll up the distance. Of course, I'm dealing with Summer in Central Florida now.
Don't over train. Buena Suerte.
Our first day walking will be 23 Sept. Keep in touch.Hey Capt
Sounds like a solid training regimen. I'm leaving from Boston on 9/23 and plan to begin the Camino on 9/26 when will you be starting?
JnLee, there is something in your advice...about the 40k which attracts my attention and appeals to me....maybe the formula, perhaps the design or reasonable approach. It is methodical in a Sea of Try This and That, and maybe a little of that could help.
Based in your advice, I can see my trying to do the 40k this week, which comes out in miles to be a 6, and 8 and a 10 miler.....rounding it out to 40k. Note that after some 30 years in the past as a runner in 5k and 10k events...... Right now as a Road Biker, I find it easier to think in terms of miles...since there are fixed points of miles. My boots will know the difference betwixt mile and K.
Let see if there be any hot spots on my feet in my boots.
My advice is take the first 4 - 5 days easy. Everyone I have seen with bad blisters or other injuries is because they did to much to soon. You're quite right, walking those distances with weight on your back is tiring and without proper rest we are more likely to injure ourselves. I can't stress enough how important it is to find your own pace and stop for a break regularly ( I generally went for 2 hours or 10kms whichever came first!)
I've just finished my second Camino today! I'm 56 average fitness - if I can do it anyone can!!
Good luck and Buen Camino
We have a guest staying with us and I am suffering from training walk withdrawal !! By the time we walk the dog it has been a long enough walk for our guest....but.....I am not getting my daily Camino fix !! It is amazing just how much I am missing my walking clothes, backpack, boots and staff. I hope that feeling lasts for two months in Spain! Buen Camino
Thank you Don, this is lovely. I will print it and put it in my journal. I have found the walking to be a gift that makes me feel good. All of the things I was going to leave behind on the Camino I have actually already left behind while training. The Camino will be whatever now as I have a lovely head space in readiness. I was wondering about getting up early (in the dark) and heading off as our guest doesn't wake until late.....hhmmm tomorrow morning I think I will be very quiet and get back out there again. It is amazing how the road calls one. Buen CaminoThat is such a good way to feel
And you express the joy of it.
Some see walking as a necessary evil
Some see walking as punishment in life
There are so many in the world who are
Fleeing war, hunger, political oppression,Survival.
Our walking us at another level, beyond
just endorphins
and feeling good.
There is an offering of our whole body,
And when I see the people I meet, and engage
It is a gift.
Walki the dog, walk the guest
Get a flashlight and walk the night
Rise before the sun and walk and be sure
you'll be the only one...well maybe?
Had a dinner party tonight in honour of our guest and I cooked Spanish food - well recipes labelled as Spanish from the internet. The big hit was Asado de Cordero! As part of our training we had Rioja!!! Really getting ready for the Camino now! Buen CaminoThank you Don, this is lovely. I will print it and put it in my journal. I have found the walking to be a gift that makes me feel good. All of the things I was going to leave behind on the Camino I have actually already left behind while training. The Camino will be whatever now as I have a lovely head space in readiness. I was wondering about getting up early (in the dark) and heading off as our guest doesn't wake until late.....hhmmm tomorrow morning I think I will be very quiet and get back out there again. It is amazing how the road calls one. Buen Camino
Hi! well every experience is different. Last year I did el Camino Frances fron SJPP to Finisterre, I was 58 and never once did a single walking training. My training consisted in doing Insanity twice before going. But you can't avoid the pain and the exhaustion at the end of the day. But it's a good tiredness. Buen Camino!Hi all,
I'm 6 weeks away from starting the Camino Frances from SJPP. I'm in my 50"s and would have a reasonably good level of fitness. As long distance walking is a different discipline, over the past two months I've been walking three times per week, distances between 20KM and 30KM in each walk. These have left me absolutely exhausted and my body needs a day or so rest to recover. Knowing that I need to do these distances every day for 30+ days has me now a little worried. My dilemma is whether continuing these training walks will completely wear me out before I start or should I be increasing the frequency to improve walking fitness? I would be grateful for any advice from experienced Camino travellers.
Regards,
Gerard.
how do you take the magnesium?I might be a strange bird regarding the training bit - but here's my tale - as told by an experienced porch-potato who is not known as the most active person (aside from flamenco dancing and some internal martial art bits) -
Of course I aimed to train - have a li'l lake near by, 1 mile round-about; trail and asphalt surface mixed. So I've done a few of those when I had time. The larger lake was 3 miles round-about, all on asphalt. Did a few of those.
But whenever I aimed to increase those, I either got mega sick or sailed down some library stairs and had to take it slow again.
Kind of a predicament - here were all those post with the diligent training-for-the-camino folks, while I was wondering why my training wasn't taking off and i was often in the horizontal or at the chiro.
Departure date arrived and off I went with some trepidation. What was i thinking? Took 3 days in Lisbon ... and then the walking started.
ARIAT boots, double-socks, body-glide, hiking poles, backpack approx 8kg, who knows exactly. Was fluctuating all the time anyway due to water/food packing.
Overall I was definitely "Squadra Lumaca" Team Snail. Took it really slow ... on purpose. and with relish!
11km first day (all asphalt)
16 km second day (mostly field tracks, some asphalt)
and then my body claimed a 'rest day'. and i happily obliged. My gait was strictly wobble-walk; probably looked like a daughter of a SumoWrestler who had John Wayne as a Godfather. Well...you get the picture ... But was so glad that I listened to my body and rested.
The third walking day was about 16km again...and all was well.
Eventually my body gained strength and endurance and confidence and I walked up to 27km on one day (inspired by my "teutonic turbo team", a father and son who i befriended somewhere between Ansiaio and Rabacal who were truly long distance walking champs, in my book for sure!!)
But mostly it was around 21km , sometimes more.
It suited me fine ... I had nothing to proof, no agenda, no 'dragon's to slay' - so what if i was the last one out off the albergue?
Also followed my ancient alpine hiking rule: walk about 50-60 min, then REST. Walk another 50-60 min, then REST. Have longer breaks for lunch etc.
I was soo astounded to learn and to experience that I trained ON the caminho - in my case it worked.
Not one blister, no shin-thingys (forgot what they are called) Never used a single band-aid. But gave myself plenty of foot and calf massages, legs up the walls, good rest.... powdered magnesium and such goodies.
It was walking, resting, walking, resting in this 50min 10 min rhythm. It worked. But everyone is different .... just be gentle with yourself.
While walking on the caminho i sometimes thought that the only way you "properly" could train for this walking every day WITH the backpack ...is by walking everyday at home with the backpack for several hours as well. Only then would one really feel exactly like walking the caminho, everything else is 'ersatz' - not quite the same. An approximation. Like hugging a pillow and hugging a lover can never quite feel the same, nevermind how fancy that pillow might be.
Keep your common sense, be flexible with some endurance ... and start slow. and with a backpack that does not burden. Easy does it and less is more.
Enjoy the preparation -- very best wishes, Claudia
Hi, my partner has lost 35kgs in 2 months by cutting out 90 percent carbs. That is no bread, no potatos, no rice, no pasta. We also stopped all butter, cheese and sauces. Basically we ate meat or fish & 6 or more vegetables. Lots of eggs. Baby tomatoes were our lollies & snacks. We've been eating this way for a year now and love the food without being on a diet. A white wine or 3 a day included now. You sound as if you are doing all the right things. Walk as much as you can and build up. You must carry your pack to get used to it.I fly out to start my very first Camino (SJPD) on 1 May and 10 days ago thought I would start walking with a semi full Backpack (7 kilos) - felt great on my back but boy did I start to feel pressure on my knees and feet. So adopted a radical plan to NOT carry my back pack for now and just walk for 2 hours every week day with a longer walk 12/15km on Saturday. At same time I have stopped drinking my beloved red wine, improved my diet and stopped eating cheese (which I love!) and lost 5 kilos in 2 weeks. I want to lose a further 2 stone in weight from 90kilos and have told myself I will only carry my full back pack once I lose another 8 kilos (back pack weight) so my knees don't suffer and I don't get depressed.
Thanks for your comments. Have certainly boosted vegetables and fruit intake. I might need to progress onto carb reduction but will see how it goes.Hi, my partner has lost 35kgs in 2 months by cutting out 90 percent carbs. That is no bread, no potatos, no rice, no pasta. We also stopped all butter, cheese and sauces. Basically we ate meat or fish & 6 or more vegetables. Lots of eggs. Baby tomatoes were our lollies & snacks. We've been eating this way for a year now and love the food without being on a diet. A white wine or 3 a day included now. You sound as if you are doing all the right things. Walk as much as you can and build up. You must carry your pack to get used to it.
... 10 days ago thought I would start walking with a semi full Backpack (7 kilos) - felt great on my back but boy did I start to feel pressure on my knees and feet. ...
Semi full and still 7kg??? Post your packing list here and we all help you to trim it down, you will be a much happier pilgrim with a lighter backpack! Buen Camino! SY
My Revised Backpack, so far, contains the following and weighs 7.837 kg. (data copied & pasted from excel spreadsheet)
BP Backpack Backpack Osprey Kestrel 48L - (S/M) brown 1 1580
BP Backpack Day pack Sea to Summit 20L Ultra Sil - Day pack red 1 70
BP Clothes Fleece North Face M Hadoken Full Zip J (L) blue 1 330
BP Clothes Gloves Rab VR Tour Glove (L) slate 1 94
BP Clothes Shirt - L/Sleeve Ayacucho Altay shirt LSL AM (XL) sand 1 206
BP Clothes Shirt - S/Sleeve Jack Wolfskin El Dorado (L) red 1 186
BP Clothes Socks Bridgedale Comfort Trekker 166 2 332
BP Clothes Towel PackTowl Ultralight Backpackers (XL) blue 1 118
BP Clothes Trousers - long Montane Terra Pants – short leg (XL) grey 1 320
BP Clothes T-shirt – merino Icebreaker Mens Tech T Lite SS Stripe navy 1 150
BP Clothes Underwear Ex-officio Give-N-Go Boxer brief 92 2 184
BP Clothes Waterproof Trousers Berghaus Deluge over trousers XL short black 1 414
BP Electrical Camera case Sony LCJ-RXF Jacket for RX100 III black 1
BP Electrical Camera compact Sony RX100 MIII (20.1MP) black 1 287
BP Electrical Headphones, earhook Philips SHS8100 black 14
BP Electrical Mobile Phone Nokia 106 black 1 74
BP Electrical Torch - headlight Black Diamond Storm 160 Lumen - (AAA x 4) green 1 116
BP Electrical Walkman Sony NWZ-E585/BM black 1 48
BP Equipment Penknife Swiss army Victorinox Camper multi-tool red 1 76
BP Equipment Trowel GSI Cathole (82g) Caribinier 14g black 1 96
BP Equipment Water bottle Berghaus 1/2 litre (free gift) red 1 94
BP Equipment Whistle Lifesystems Mountain whistle 100dB silver 1 8
BP First Aid Anti-inflammatory Voltarol Pain-eze (Emulgel) - 12 hour - 1 38
BP First Aid Antiseptic Savlon Antiseptic cream (15g) 1 20
BP First Aid Antiseptic wipes Savlon Wound wipes (sachets) gm 5.3 6 32
BP First Aid Asthma Ventolin Inhalers (50g) x 4 (?) 40 3 120
BP First Aid Footcare - Blisters Compeed Stick + 5 plasters (8g) - 5 28
BP First Aid Imodium McNeil Diarrhoea - tablets - 8 8
BP First Aid Lip balm Nivea Lip Soothe & protect UVA - 1 16
BP First Aid Needle/thread Paradores Blister care - 1 2
BP First Aid Pain killers Panadol - (asthma) - 1 4
BP First Aid Plasters Savlon Advanced Plasters 10 8
BP First Aid Safety pins 6
BP First Aid Sun protection Sunscreen - 1
BP First Aid Vaseline 100ml 1 108
BP Footwear Evening - after days walk Keen Clearwater CNX Sandals green 1 562
BP Important Cash - Euros 5
BP Important Cash - Sterling 5
BP Important Credit Card x 2 2 12
BP Important CSJ Pilgrimage Pilgrims passport 1 18
BP Important CSJ wallet Pilgrimage wallet 1 8
BP Important Debit Card 1 6
BP Important Paradores card Amigos membership card 1 6
BP Important Passport 1 32
BP Other BackPack liner Exped Ultralight waterproof (50L) orange 1 62
BP Other Clothes - Line Sea to Summit The Clothesline (with pegs) black 1 22
BP Other Dry sack - clothes Sea to summit Ultra-Sil Nano (8L) lime 1 24
BP Other Dry sack - clothes Sea to summit Ultra-Sil Nano (1L) lime 1 14
BP Other Dry sack - clothes Sea to summit Ultra-Sil Nano (2L) blue 1 18
BP Other Dry sack - clothes Sea to summit Ultra-Sil Nano (4L) orange 1 20
BP Other Fork/spoon/knife Sea to Summit Delta Spork - 2 10
BP Other Glasses - Case Vktech Hard Zipper brown 1 41
BP Other Glasses - Normal Evening wear - 1 26
BP Other Journal Rhodia Note pad (96 pages) orange 1 138
BP Other Map Michelin Camino de Santiago green 1 88
BP Other Pen Optiflow - 1 12
BP Other Pilgrimage Shell 1 44
BP Other Stone
BP Sleeping Bag - 2 seasons Rab Rab Neutrino 200 orange 1 650
BP Sleeping Bag liner Rab Silk 100% Traveller size blue 1 154
BP Sleeping Bed bug sheet Lifesystems Single sheet grey 1 160
BP Toiletries Deodorant Sure Roll on (50ml) - 1 78
BP Toiletries Earplugs - sleep Lifeventure Travel ear plugs yellow 6 6
BP Toiletries Glasses - care kit Boots Spray & cloth 1 24
BP Toiletries Nail clippers Boots black 1 36
BP Toiletries Razor Gillete - 1 10
BP Toiletries Soap all purpose Lifeventure Skin, hair, clothing (100ml) - 1 116
BP Toiletries Toieltries - Dry Wash Lifeventure Hand sanitiser (100ml) - 1 106
BP Toiletries Toilet paper!! Coglans Bio Toilet Tissue (150 sheets x 2) white 2 82
BP Toiletries Toothbrush Oral B Pro-Expert Pulsar - 1 29
BP Toiletries Toothpaste Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief (22ml) - 1 32
My thoughts to some of your items are in italics ;-)
Backpack Day pack Sea to Summit 20L Ultra Sil - Day pack red 70 - too heavy and too big, replace with something lighter like a fabric shopping bag ~10g
Clothes Gloves Rab VR Tour Glove (L) slate 94 - Yes, May can be occasionally cold on the CF, but in emergency case you still could wear a pair of socks as gloves
Electrical Headphones, earhook Philips SHS8100 black 14 - leave it
Electrical Torch - headlight Black Diamond Storm 160 Lumen - (AAA x 4) green 116 - no need for a bed race in May, enjoy the sunrise
Electrical Walkman Sony NWZ-E585/BM black 48 - why? Afraid of the silence ;-) ?
Equipment Trowel GSI Cathole (82g) Caribinier 14g black 96 - for what?
Equipment Water bottle Berghaus 1/2 litre (free gift) red 94 - use a normal PET bottle instead
Equipment Whistle Lifesystems Mountain whistle 100dB silver 1 8 - it is little weight, but still leave it at home, I don't think a lot of people on the Camino would react to it anyway
First Aid Antiseptic Savlon Antiseptic cream (15g) 20 - buy when and if needed
First Aid Lip balm Nivea Lip Soothe & protect UVA - 16 - your normal sun cream works also on lips
First Aid Needle/thread Paradores Blister care - 2 - Do.Not.Put.Threads.in.Blisters = Major Infection risk!
First Aid Vaseline 100ml 108 - for what would you use it?
Other BackPack liner & Dry sacks - just use ordinary rubbish bags = lighter and cheaper
Sleeping Bag liner Rab Silk 100% Traveller size blue 154 - For a relatively short Camino not really necessary.
Sleeping Bed bug sheet Lifesystems Single sheet grey 160 - not worth the extra weight in my opinion
Toiletries Deodorant Sure Roll on (50ml) - 78 - not really necessary
Toiletries Toieltries - Dry Wash Lifeventure Hand sanitiser (100ml) - 106 - Really not necessary, just get used to the germs, they are not so different from UK ones ;-)
Toiletries Toilet paper!! Coglans Bio Toilet Tissue (150 sheets x 2) 82 - Just take half a roll of ordinary one and remove the inner cardboard roll
I am missing 'upper body rain protection' in your list ;-)
Buen Camino with around a kilo less ;-) SY
Thanks for your helpful review which I will seriously consider.
I am also dithering between
(1) Waterproof Jacket Mountain equip. LHOTSE jacket XL 560g
and/or
(2) Jacket - soft-shell Rab Vapour-Rise Lite Alpine (XL) 346g
jostony,
I have a Rab Vapour-Rise. Although it is ok in light rain/ showers I wouldn't rely on it in prolonged heavy rain.
Edited to clarify..............
Sorry! Just noticed you said Lite-Alpine. Mine isn't. So, I can't speak about the Lit-Alpine.
That's a pound a day. Healthy weight loss is 2 pounds a week. Not only does the number seem staggering, it all seems dangerous. Perhaps he is blessed with a rare metobolism. It should take a person, who is highly successful in their weightloss a solid year to lose that.Hi, my partner has lost 35kgs in 2 months by cutting out 90 percent carbs. .
Equipment Trowel GSI Cathole (82g) Caribinier 14g black 96 - for what?
First Aid Antiseptic Savlon Antiseptic cream (15g) 20 - buy when and if needed
First Aid Lip balm Nivea Lip Soothe & protect UVA - 16 - your normal sun cream works also on lips
First Aid Vaseline 100ml 108 - for what would you use it?
Sleeping Bag liner Rab Silk 100% Traveller size blue 154 - For a relatively short Camino not really necessary.
Sleeping Bed bug sheet Lifesystems Single sheet grey 160 - not worth the extra weight in my opinion
Toiletries Deodorant Sure Roll on (50ml) - 78 - not really necessary
SY
I so disagree. If you currently shave your armpits, let your armpit hair grow for a change so it can do its job of wicking away your sweat. Otherwise the sweat ferments on the skin, the cause of most underarm odour. Also find a non-alkaline 'soap' - the alkaline soaps strip away the acids that form a protective barrier for your skin, which makes it easier for the bacteria that cause fermentation to colonise your armpits.Deodorant: A MUST!!!!! Please have pity on the rest of us having to smell you when you ask if you can join us for lunch. Just get a smaller size. Mitchum has them, and it is one of the strongest ones on the market.
Dougfitz, even if I had never shaved my armpits, I would never have been able to grown more than 12 hairs, and I doubt that will do much ;0) Call me lucky or unlucky ;0) So while I don't worry much about how I look, I can tell you that I clearly "ferment" as you put it. As for soap: too hash on the rest of my body, including shampoo, so might as well carry antiperspirent (in North Am. we hardly see deodorant, but still refer to antiperpirents as deodorants - must be the lady-like attitude).I so disagree. If you currently shave your armpits, let your armpit hair grow for a change so it can do its job of wicking away your sweat. Otherwise the sweat ferments on the skin, the cause of most underarm odour. Also find a non-alkaline 'soap' - the alkaline soaps strip away the acids that form a protective barrier for your skin, which makes it easier for the bacteria that cause fermentation to colonise your armpits.
Mitchum products seem to be both deodorants and antiperspirants. This is even worse if you are walking, when you want to produce enough sweat to cool your body naturally. Artificially stopping the sweat production process might be a great idea in an office environment where there is more environmental control, but not when you need to let your body use its natural processes to keep you cool.
I will continue to be deodorant and antiperspirant free, and would recommend that for anyone walking the camino just on the basis of not interfering with your body's natural mechanisms for keeping you cool. But then I have never had to face pressure to have hairless armpitsDougfitz, even if I had never shaved my armpits, I would never have been able to grown more than 12 hairs, and I doubt that will do much ;0) Call me lucky or unlucky ;0) So while I don't worry much about how I look, I can tell you that I clearly "ferment" as you put it. As for soap: too hash on the rest of my body, including shampoo, so might as well carry antiperspirent (in North Am. we hardly see deodorant, but still refer to antiperpirents as deodorants - must be the lady-like attitude).
As long as you don't come and sit next to me stinking, I don't care what your technique is ;0)I will continue to be deodorant and antiperspirant free, and would recommend that for anyone walking the camino just on the basis of not interfering with your body's natural mechanisms for keeping you cool. But then I have never had to face pressure to have hairless armpits.
Doug, since you are online, how does one start a new tread? Keep looking not seeing it. Appologies to others watching the tread.
The only people I recall having any noticeable odour were those applying scents to their bodies, and most of those where in the stretch from Sarria to Santiago.As long as you don't come and sit next to me stinking, I don't care what your technique is ;0)
From the forum home page select a specific forum topic (such as the Camino Frances topic) and there should be a button on the right side of the screen for starting a new thread.Doug, since you are online, how does one start a new tread? Keep looking not seeing it. Appologies to others watching the tread.
Thank you! And don't remind me about teenage boys doused in cheep cologne. ;0)From the forum home page select a specific forum topic (such as the Camino Frances topic) and there should be a button on the right side of the screen for starting a new thread.
im starting on the 1st as well....I LOVE this reply! Made me laugh. My cousin and I (both late 50's) arrive in SJPP August 30, setting out September 1st. I've been doing lots of training, just now adding weight to the pack. I train in wilderness, with intermittent stretches along a local golf course. I pretend the 10th hole snack shack is a cafe. I pretend the trail maps are yellow arrows. I should be good to go with (3)... we have a wine cellar to prove it . I should be also be ready to go re (4); my husband and dog have given me lots of practice with that one! Have a wonderful day! It seems many of the replies to this post are setting out roughly the same time we are. Look out for two Canadian cousins who laugh a lot.
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