Camino de Santiago and Interior Decorating

habanerocat · May 10, 2022, 11:41am

Fagan_ODowd:

habanerocat:

A couple of pointers here for you and you can tell me to feck off at any stage if I’m annoying you as the Camino is a very personal journey.

Based on your posts in another thread you seem to be training too hard too soon. Now there’s no harm keeping yourself fit and in shape but the distances you’re quoting in my opinion are too much. It’s as if you’ve started your Camino now in Germany and intend finishing it in September in Santiago. You’ll be burned out. You’re a fit man but you’re not a young man. I’ve seen people on the Camino Frances who started in German. Their knees and especially feet were in tatters and they had to give up. There’s probably more qualified athletes on here than me. I don’t go on the running threads. You need to build up to your departure date with a six to eight week training schedule, hitting the 20KM lengths only two or three times a week before departure.

The Camino isn’t all about walking. You need to start thinking about your gear. Start walking with a rucksack and walking pole or poles. I trained here on the banks of the Shannon. Nice and flat. Thought I was doing great. It wasn’t until I hit Cratloe woods and a few miserable hills and rough surface that I found out how unfit I really was. After a fallen arch, torn calf muscle and a dodgy hamstring I knew I was better prepared and ready for the challenge.

You also need to incorporate strengthening and stretching exercises into your weekly programme. These are absolutely vital for stamina and overall fitness to help you recover from any injuries. You will fall, it’s just a matter of how many times and how your body recovers.

I have a six week exercise and stretching plan that I can send on to you, but you may be better advised to go to somebody local, have yourself physically assessed and let them draw up a pre-Camino plan that suits you. It won’t cost a packet and will be money well spent.

Very good advice by the sounds of it. Keep it coming. I decided yesterday that I’m going to do St Declans Way this summer. If I can manage that id think of doing a bit of the Camino and if I can’t sure then I’ll know the Camino is just a pipe dream and I’ll get on with life. I have two metal knees so they’ll be grand but my ankles are in rag order and the hands are giving in (relevant to the poles). Most of St Declans way is flattish but there is a big climb (for me) up over the Knockmealdowns at Mt Melleray.
First thing to do id say is to purchase the footwear and have it well worn in before I start.

The sister from KIlmacthomas wants me to do that with her over the Summer sometime. I think you can skip that hard climb if you want. But I posted there about widening a footpath a couple of weeks ago and I’m laid up since with my right foot after that small bit of digging. It felt like a blood clot first, them it seemed to develop into a fallen arch. Now the pain has travelled up into the back of my knee and hamstring. I’m rightly fucked after a small bit of digging… Old age… Felt gran when I was doing it but…

Good footwear is vital.

Fagan_ODowd · May 10, 2022, 11:47am

Any recommendations on the footwear? I’ve had flat feet since I was a kid so I know all about arch supports.

habanerocat · May 10, 2022, 11:55am

I swear by the Scarpa myself with the Vibram soles. They have served me well. No need for the ankle supports unless you’re going up mountains. My current jobs, that aren’t getting much use.

Fagan_ODowd · May 10, 2022, 11:59am

I have a few North Face with the Vibram soles. I might see how I go in them first.

Corksfinedtboy · May 10, 2022, 12:24pm

Ahh no any advice is gratefully accepted
Ref training I’m doing this since a nipper
But I’ve upped it not for the Camino but to stay fit in my old age

Corksfinedtboy · May 10, 2022, 2:02pm

I do a bit of S and c on the gym machines in the park
Joining the mardyke next week e300 per year under my sons UCC membership- handy

Fagan_ODowd · May 10, 2022, 2:04pm

Have they twigged you’re not a student yet?

Corksfinedtboy · May 10, 2022, 2:46pm

student of life compadre honours

habanerocat · May 10, 2022, 3:26pm

The S&C is vital. And make sure your EHIC is up to date.

backinatracksuit · May 10, 2022, 3:38pm

If you’re walking on good trails or paths you don’t need boots or ankle support, you’d be better off choosing a lightweight trail running shoe,

The ON shoes have great reviews, I wear these new balance shoes for trail running and they are lovely and comfortable

Corksfinedtboy · May 10, 2022, 4:47pm

European medical card?

Corksfinedtboy · May 10, 2022, 4:50pm

I’ve a 6 year old pair of Berghaus hiking shoes - unreal
Can’t bloody find a replacement pair
I’ve them up a ladder with me 6 months
Waterproof/ Uber comfortable

Corksfinedtboy · May 10, 2022, 4:51pm

replacement

habanerocat · May 11, 2022, 11:16am

Yea, she’s vital for a walk like that in Europe.

Fagan_ODowd · May 11, 2022, 11:33am

Those Berghaus don’t owe you anything anyway.

Fagan_ODowd · May 11, 2022, 11:33am

Vital for any travel in Europe now with the risk of Covid.

Corksfinedtboy · May 11, 2022, 12:40pm

Thanks boy

Corksfinedtboy · May 11, 2022, 12:41pm

Agreed fantastic shoes

MountLeinster · May 11, 2022, 2:34pm

Have done from Sarria to Santiago. Start anytime from 8.00am and walk along at your ease. Stop whenever you want, ice cream, grub, or admire the scenery. You should probably roll into wherever your next stop is by 4.00 latest. If you can take in the pilgrim mass when you arrive in santiago, hopefully you might get to witness the ceremony of the Butofumerio. It’s class

backinatracksuit · May 11, 2022, 2:47pm

Am I missing the point here? Is it supposed to be a pilgrimage with an element of suffering? Or just a walking holiday, thought it was a Lough Derg style thing with a bit of praying and very basic food!