Tim and Paula
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino de Santiago (2019)
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What kind are you wearing, and have you considered alternative shoes?our boots are well broken-in.
I found walking in and out of cities terrible for my feet and legs, all that concrete and hard surface(plus the noise and bustle of the city but that is another thing). I found the ubiquitous limestone chip just fine, my feet and knees much prefer that to concrete, cobble stones and pavers. Its not so bad if you are staying overnight in the city as you only go half way each day, but right through in one go can be a trial.Hola--a question for those with more information than we: approximately how much of the Camino Frances consists of concrete so hard it makes knees cry and feet shriek in agony? The reason I ask is that miles 3 and 4 of our 6 mile training loop are on reinforced concrete that is smooth and enormously pleasing to the eye but really hard on the hips, knees and feet, even though our boots are well broken-in. We changed the route today to include more off piste surfaces and experienced immediate relief but are now curious how much of the hard stuff we have to look forward to. The Brierley and Dintamen/Landis guides very thoughtfully give the paved/unpaved percentages but any additional information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and Buen Camino!
Tim and Paula
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
There is a softer way along the river into Burgos. See this thread:I found walking in and out of cities terrible for my feet and legs, all that concrete and hard surface(plus the noise and bustle of the city but that is another thing).
Hola--a question for those with more information than we: approximately how much of the Camino Frances consists of concrete so hard it makes knees cry and feet shriek in agony? The reason I ask is that miles 3 and 4 of our 6 mile training loop are on reinforced concrete that is smooth and enormously pleasing to the eye but really hard on the hips, knees and feet, even though our boots are well broken-in. We changed the route today to include more off piste surfaces and experienced immediate relief but are now curious how much of the hard stuff we have to look forward to. The Brierley and Dintamen/Landis guides very thoughtfully give the paved/unpaved percentages but any additional information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and Buen Camino!
Tim and Paula
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
There is a softer way along the river into Burgos. See this thread:
We did a variant. We walked to Villafria and spent two nights at the Hotel Buenos Aires at the start of a bus route into town (there are other hotels nearby too). We bussed back and forth. Resuming the camino we backtracked 45 minutes to the start of the river route. We saw the normal route from the bus and that told us to avoid it.This is a nice route for entering Burgos. It will take you right to the area of entry to the Cathedral, too.
I intend to take this path in mid November. I have the link bookmarked to follow it. The airport walk may be the low point of the Camino. Thanks for the post.There is a softer way along the river into Burgos. See this thread:
I'd like to hear more about Sorbothane insoles. Why choose those over others?Sorbothane or similar insoles help a bit - but you may then need slightly larger boots / shoes.
Hi Tim and Paula. I live in Bucerias. I see this is your first Camino. I will be doing my 5th in October. It is the responsibility of those of us who have walked before to help in any way new Pilgrims. I would love to meet you guys for a coffee, taco or an explanation of the differences between a Spanish and Mexican tortilla. It would be nice to offer any assistance if you would like some, that is. Don't want to be presumptuous! If not than just to meet and make some new friends. If you would like to meet let me know and we chat on IM privately. Also have you thought of wearing a good pair of trail runners instead of boots?Hola--a question for those with more information than we: approximately how much of the Camino Frances consists of concrete so hard it makes knees cry and feet shriek in agony? The reason I ask is that miles 3 and 4 of our 6 mile training loop are on reinforced concrete that is smooth and enormously pleasing to the eye but really hard on the hips, knees and feet, even though our boots are well broken-in. We changed the route today to include more off piste surfaces and experienced immediate relief but are now curious how much of the hard stuff we have to look forward to. The Brierley and Dintamen/Landis guides very thoughtfully give the paved/unpaved percentages but any additional information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and Buen Camino!
Tim and Paula
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Haha. Everyone on the Camino has heard of the “softer” river route into Burgos. And almost no one I talked to during my Camino was able to find it. Of course, if you miss the river route, you are condemned to walk into Burgos along the highway, industrial, and commercial routing into the city, which must be the very worst stretch of the CF, especially in the heat.There is a softer way along the river into Burgos. See this thread:
Hola--would love to meet a fellow pilgrim. When and where? We have a car and are in Nuevo Vallarta.Hi Tim and Paula. I live in Bucerias. I see this is your first Camino. I will be doing my 5th in October. It is the responsibility of those of us who have walked before to help in any way new Pilgrims. I would love to meet you guys for a coffee, taco or an explanation of the differences between a Spanish and Mexican tortilla. It would be nice to offer any assistance if you would like some, that is. Don't want to be presumptuous! If not than just to meet and make some new friends. If you would like to meet let me know and we chat on IM privately. Also have you thought of wearing a good pair of trail runners instead of boots?
I have a car too so no problem meeting anywhere. I will send you a pm now.Hola--would love to meet a fellow pilgrim. When and where? We have a car and are in Nuevo Vallarta.
Tim
When will you be doing the Camino? Except perhaps in winter, many experienced pilgrims including resident shoe guru @davebugg recommend against waterproof shoes/boots in favor of very cushioned lightweight trail running shoes like Altra Lone Peaks or Hokas. I've made the switch to wearing sandals exclusively on the Camino, so you can see that a variety of footwear can be worn on the Camino. I haven't seen any trails on which hiking boots were necessary. I know that you've spent time breaking in the boots, but perhaps you should consider different footwear.Wow, thanks for all the input. We're using Merrell Moab 2 waterproof boots, decided on after a marathon session with the folks at REI. Paula's are high, mine are low. We've been training for more than a year and are up to a 6 mile loop. The boots are nicely broken in(3 months, 4 times per week) , no hot spots or blisters, and our loop is 100% paved. Only when we changed to include a two mile stretch of gorgeous concrete bike path did the surface prove a problem. The rest of the bike path is also rougher concrete but doesn't have the same effect. Yesterday, we changed the route to walk on pavers and the dirt next to them and had no problems. Probably we just need to adjust our pace when we're on pavement.
Anyway, thanks for all the helpful suggestions.
Buen Camino!
Tim
We didn't have difficulty finding it in 2016. Maybe we were just really lucky.Haha. Everyone on the Camino has heard of the “softer” river route into Burgos. And almost no one I talked to during my Camino was able to find it. Of course, if you miss the river route, you are condemned to walk into Burgos along the highway, industrial, and commercial routing into the city, which must be the very worst stretch of the CF, especially in the heat.
I am by no means the expert here, having walked for 17 years in hiking boots or hiking shoes, until last year @davebugg gently showed me the error of my ways. IMO, and you may be different, but for the vast majority of people boots and hiking shoes are overkill for the camino. Trail runners are so much more cushioned, and so much more gentle on your feet.Wow, thanks for all the input. We're using Merrell Moab 2 waterproof boots, decided on after a marathon session with the folks at REI. Paula's are high, mine are low. We've been training for more than a year and are up to a 6 mile loop. The boots are nicely broken in(3 months, 4 times per week) , no hot spots or blisters, and our loop is 100% paved. Only when we changed to include a two mile stretch of gorgeous concrete bike path did the surface prove a problem. The rest of the bike path is also rougher concrete but doesn't have the same effect. Yesterday, we changed the route to walk on pavers and the dirt next to them and had no problems. Probably we just need to adjust our pace when we're on pavement.
Anyway, thanks for all the helpful suggestions.
Buen Camino!
Tim
This is a nice route for entering Burgos. It will take you right to the area of entry to the Cathedral, too.
Hi Dave. I was most interested in the attachment to your post a couple of days ago about exercise an heart rates. Unfortunately I inadvertently deleted it and wonder if you would be able to send it again although I am not sure how I would be able to identify post amongst the numerous others.
Thanks, Rob.
Hola--a question for those with more information than we: approximately how much of the Camino Frances consists of concrete so hard it makes knees cry and feet shriek in agony? The reason I ask is that miles 3 and 4 of our 6 mile training loop are on reinforced concrete that is smooth and enormously pleasing to the eye but really hard on the hips, knees and feet, even though our boots are well broken-in. We changed the route today to include more off piste surfaces and experienced immediate relief but are now curious how much of the hard stuff we have to look forward to. The Brierley and Dintamen/Landis guides very thoughtfully give the paved/unpaved percentages but any additional information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and Buen Camino!
Tim and Paula
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
I walked the Camino with no training whatsoever in my 50s. I won't say that I didn't have any pains along the way, but nothing that threatened my Camino (once I acquired walking poles). My training consisted of shorter (15 km) days on the second, third, and fourth days.Six miles is only about 10km. You'll need to walk 20-30Km on the Camino.
Keep walking the 6 mile route until you feel comfortable. This may take several weeks with lots of aching muscles. Eventually you will get stronger. Slowly increase the distance.
I would not feel comfortable doing the Camino unless I walked at least 30km in training.
-Paul
I walked the Camino with no training whatsoever in my 50s. I won't say that I didn't have any pains along the way, but nothing that threatened my Camino (once I acquired walking poles). My training consisted of shorter (15 km) days on the second, third, and fourth days.
That said, I did more training for my next Camino.I didn't do any 30 km days, though. I felt confident when I could walk 20 km three days in a row and not have any aches or pains.
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