Running the Northern Route!

[GCYOUNGRUN]

Hi there,

My name is George Young and I'm a new visitor to this site, as well as a first time traveller on the Compostela; I'm an aspiring journalist and writer but The Way of St. James became something I'm really interested in after reading a book by a guy called Paulo Coelho. Being a passionate runner, I've decided that in the second half of May I'm going to run approximately the equivalent of 1000 km in two weeks, whilst blogging my experiences; it's my intention to begin in Irun currently, though that's not cast iron. Yes, that is almost a marathon every day I know! This is a great site and some of the info on the forums has been really helpful, but if any of you guys have advice on the northern route, e.g. best places to see, please do get in touch. Furthermore, if you have any other advice or just want to discuss anything at all whatsoever, don't hesitate to get in touch!

Many thanks,

G

[geraldkelly]

So, George, what's in like to run a marathon a day?

Would you advise anybody else to do it?

Ger

[Covey]

45 miles a day verges on the certifiable, especially for 14 days on the trot (or gallop in your case)

You will see very little of Spain, or the countryside, or of any of your fellow Pilgrims as you try to achieve very little. You will see a lot of your feet because there are very few places where you can run without looking to see where your next step is going.

Those of us who have walked the Camino Ways many times consider ourselves fortunate to make it through each day without straining or spraining something.

You might have read Coelho's book, but did you understand what he was telling you? The Spirit of the Camino is not just "how many kilometers and how fast" but "why" At the speed you will be going there will not be time for the "why" except probably when you end up in a local Clinic.

[GCYOUNGRUN]

Hi all,

Apologies for the late reply! Well Ger, in the end I decided it was fruitless to complete a marathon a day and quite impossible, also, what with the often difficult terrain. I did run a portion of the 700 km, but only when I found the ground flat and the surroundings a bit tedious. (For instance, the stretch between Burgos and Leon where a lot of the route follows main roads.) Around these parts I averaged almost 50 km a day, whilst in the other areas that I really found beautiful, I walked slowly and soaked up the experience. Galicia, particularly just as you enter it, was a sight to see for me; so I took some time to savour everything near O Cebreiro etc. I met some great people in parts too, so often I'd slow my pace to walk with them and find out more about their lives. Sometimes it really helped to have a proper chat with people who had great stories to tell. With hindsight, I reckon I struck the right balance between really pushing my stamina and taking time, when I wanted, to ponder myself and the area around me; I covered Pamplona-Santiago in a little under three weeks in the end. Also Covey, it was 'The Zahir' by Coelho that inspired me to do the Camino, as he mentions it in passing so I investigated from there. However, I did read 'The Pilgrimage' on my travels, and found it a tad too sensationalised for my liking! Still though, an intriguing read. I was lucky with injuries, asides from the usual monstrous blisters. I think all of my prior training helped for sure.

Thanks,

George