montyhiker
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- April/May 2024
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If you have been hiking regularly and are not experiencing any fatigue or discomfort it’s unlikely that your body has any recuperation or recovery needs. I stopped training for hiking somewhen in the 1970’s but I walk perhaps 5 miles a day everyday and between 10 and 15 miles once or twice a week. You might want to stop a week or so before you go to allow time to finalise your packing, any necessary socialising or take in a movie or two.First thing: this is not a health question. I would seek my doctor’s advice for that, not a forum. I’ve been hiking, stretching, etc. for almost a year in preparation for my Camino. I was wondering what the pilgrims with Camino experience thought about not hiking or walking right up to when I leave to allow
my body to do any recuperation and recovery. 1 week? 2 weeks? Just a few days? Your opinions are appreciated.
That was me in 2000 after my first Camino at age 50. Then after my second Camino in 2002, I had that same lightbulb moment – why not keep the level of fitness up? Now at age 73, I am so glad to have done that. I have many friends my age who tell me things like “act your age“ when I tell them I’m planning another camino with what would be for them impossible stages, but still hopefully comfortable for me. I know that I am not going to be able to do this forever, and I know my 40+ stages are behind me, but I am sure that the only reason I’m still walking caminos is because of that lightbulb moment twenty two years ago.I often wonder if people train for a Camino, walk their Camino and then go back to their mostly sedentary life style again once they have their Camino checked off the list.
Great answer, saved me the need to postWalking a Camino at a typical pace is not a major physical challenge for most people. Do you plan to walk exceptionally long stages? I have never done any systematic training before my Caminos. I simply start gently and after three or four days I find that I am back to my average of 30km or so per day with the odd longer day if the mood takes me and conditions are right. If you are enjoying your regular exercise then I can see no good reason why you should pause it before starting your Camino. But I also feel that there is no particular reason why someone in good health would need a definite training regime just to walk a Camino either.t
Yes I agree. Walking has always been a key part of my day in, day out. I have never owned a car. I have never needed to! I would alway walk anywhere within 3 miles, and for longer journeys I was 5 mins from a bus station, 15 mins from a station, and 30 mins from a major international airport.That was me in 2000 after my first Camino at age 50. Then after my second Camino in 2002, I had that same lightbulb moment – why not keep the level of fitness up? Now at age 73, I am so glad to have done that. I have many friends my age who tell me things like “act your age“ when I tell them I’m planning another camino with what would be for them impossible stages, but still hopefully comfortable for me. I know that I am not going to be able to do this forever, and I know my 40+ stages are behind me, but I am sure that the only reason I’m still walking caminos is because of that lightbulb moment twenty two years ago.
So I echo @Trekker One’s very good advice. Talk about a no-brainer, no regrets decision!
Yes, it is sad. Some parts of the US have more active populations. I know until I moved out the Pacific Northwest, we rarely walked anywhere and always took the car even for very short trips. Not the public transportation infrastructure that there is in other places/countries (although some US cities do have some options). When we lived in Spokane, WA, and Boise, ID, people always walked or rode their bike places. In Laramie, WY, where I live now, although I walk to and from work, there are not many others who do.I am currently in USA at an AIRBNB on a residential estate. I walk to a sports stadium every day. It’s about 3 miles round trip. In 10 days I have not seen one other person walking even though there are sidewalks, crossing and it is safe. There is no public transport either so each driveway is piled up with cars. The size of the people and the general look of their health is quite distressing.
It's my dream to live somewhere so walkable! There's a website called Walk Score that rates addresses based on how walkable they are - my house has a score of zero!. Walking has always been a key part of my day in, day out. I have never owned a car. I have never needed to! I would alway walk anywhere within 3 miles, and for longer journeys I was 5 mins from a bus station, 15 mins from a station, and 30 mins from a major international airport
This pilgrim hikes, bikes, stretches and does gym workout right up to the day I leave. Lord knows the 16 hours of driving to airport, sitting on that plane, waiting 4 hours in Madrid for plane to Pamplona and conniving a ride to SJPP is rest enough. Unless weather is very bad, I'll head up the hill from SJPP as soon as I get my credential stamped.First thing: this is not a health question. I would seek my doctor’s advice for that, not a forum. I’ve been hiking, stretching, etc. for almost a year in preparation for my Camino. I was wondering what the pilgrims with Camino experience thought about not hiking or walking right up to when I leave to allow
my body to do any recuperation and recovery. 1 week? 2 weeks? Just a few days? Your opinions are appreciated.
What do you mean "not walkable"? You've got a nice 8-10 mile training walk just to visit the library?It's my dream to live somewhere so walkable! There's a website called Walk Score that rates addresses based on how walkable they are - my house has a score of zero!
And our public transportation is practically non-existent. One day I checked the public transportation option on Google Maps to get to the public library, which is 4.7 miles from my house. The first step was "walk 4 miles to the bus stop"!
True. Walkable for me is very different from walkable for most people!What do you mean "not walkable"? You've got a nice 8-10 mile training walk just to visit the library?
One thing I've learned on Camino is that everywhere is walking distance if you have enough time.True. Walkable for me is very different from walkable for most people!
Yes, it is sad. Some parts of the US have more active populations. I know until I moved out the Pacific Northwest, we rarely walked anywhere and always took the car even for very short trips. Not the public transportation infrastructure that there is in other places/countries (although some US cities do have some options). When we lived in Spokane, WA, and Boise, ID, people always walked or rode their bike places. In Laramie, WY, where I live now, although I walk to and from work, there are not many others who do.
It just isn't very nice in some areas to walk depending on where you live.
It’s seems like a few UK addresses are there but many not -it does say ‘unsupported country’ - but my last address is coming out at 95% walkable. Scored down for parks but there is one pretty close though it may not officially regarded as a park.It's my dream to live somewhere so walkable! There's a website called Walk Score that rates addresses based on how walkable they are - my house has a score of zero!
And our public transportation is practically non-existent. One day I checked the public transportation option on Google Maps to get to the public library, which is 4.7 miles from my house. The first step was "walk 4 miles to the bus stop"!
You could rely on public transit in coastal California or the Boston/NYC corridor, but elsewhere would be a stretch. My Mission Walk (California Camino) was aided heavily by public transit so I could stay in reasonably priced (or free) housing. UK is definitely lacking for cheap transit, unless you can plan WAY in advance.It’s seems like a few UK addresses are there but many not -it does say ‘unsupported country’ - but my last address is coming out at 95% walkable. Scored down for parks but there is one pretty close though it may not officially regarded as a park.
Yes I am trying to arrange a trip to USA in a few months where we would be reliant on public transport from a major city to a major town on a daily basis and it has proved pretty much impossible. Two buses a day, last one at 5pm and a 65 min walk to get to the stop!
I guess we take the public transport in Europe for granted!!
Do not over think the Camino it is not a race or an Olympic event ENJOY the walk and what is happening open your heart and eyes. All will be okay 4 walks never trained.First thing: this is not a health question. I would seek my doctor’s advice for that, not a forum. I’ve been hiking, stretching, etc. for almost a year in preparation for my Camino. I was wondering what the pilgrims with Camino experience thought about not hiking or walking right up to when I leave to allow
my body to do any recuperation and recovery. 1 week? 2 weeks? Just a few days? Your opinions are appreciated.
I will be doing my second Camino in 3 weeks. I have reached a level of fitness that I am happy with and don't plan any long hikes but only shorter 5 to 8 km walks till the last week as I don't want to pick up a strain or injury to start the Camino withFirst thing: this is not a health question. I would seek my doctor’s advice for that, not a forum. I’ve been hiking, stretching, etc. for almost a year in preparation for my Camino. I was wondering what the pilgrims with Camino experience thought about not hiking or walking right up to when I leave to allow
my body to do any recuperation and recovery. 1 week? 2 weeks? Just a few days? Your opinions are appreciated.
Given your ambitious training schedule, I would suggest resting from 7 to 10 days before starting the Camino. I would however recommend you stretch up to the time of your hike.First thing: this is not a health question. I would seek my doctor’s advice for that, not a forum. I’ve been hiking, stretching, etc. for almost a year in preparation for my Camino. I was wondering what the pilgrims with Camino experience thought about not hiking or walking right up to when I leave to allow
my body to do any recuperation and recovery. 1 week? 2 weeks? Just a few days? Your opinions are appreciated.
If your body needs to recuperate and recover, you have been training too hard. Walking is an activity for which humans have evolved very precisely and exactly. If you get tired, rest. Never exert yourself to the point where you exhaust your reserves.First thing: this is not a health question. I would seek my doctor’s advice for that, not a forum. I’ve been hiking, stretching, etc. for almost a year in preparation for my Camino. I was wondering what the pilgrims with Camino experience thought about not hiking or walking right up to when I leave to allow
my body to do any recuperation and recovery. 1 week? 2 weeks? Just a few days? Your opinions are appreciated.
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