Should I extend my trip by a week?

[joe]

I've planned my Camino for 6 weeks 42 days. But I'll be spending 2 days in Paris, and a further day in St. Jean. Leaves me with 39 days, but I want to travel to Finisterre and Muxia, which will take about 4-5 days. So 35 days to get from St. Jean to Santiago.

I was thinking of extending my time limit by an extra 5-7 days because I am not in the best physical condition, and my lack of motivation is preventing me from training. I don't walk very often, but each weekend my parents drive me to a park which forces me to walk 7 miles, with a lot of uphill walking. But apart from that I can't seem to walk around my own area much. It's not the friendliest place to walk around in my area, and especially with walking boots and a big backpack it makes me an easy target for criminals or gangs. I get anxious walking around my area as it is, so dressed as a hiker/walker/pilgrim, I wouldn't be able to handle it, I would sweat too much and I'd be kind of scared/tense.

So, because of the lack of training my mum said have I thought about extending my trip, which might be a good idea because that would allow me to walk gracefully and also to see more along the way, without having to worry about making it Santiago in time for my flight. I don't have a problem with walking long distances as I have walked 7 miles uphill and downhill within 3.5 hours, with just 500ml of water and the only thing I ate was a sandwich, I didn't eat breakfast either. At first, walking up hill really caught me off guard and I was out of breath for 10 minutes feeling like I was going to faint, but once the adrenaline kicked in I was fine, and even started walking ahead of my parents. I can push myself when necessary and when forced, but when I'm in the comfort of my own home I just can't seem to do it.

This problem is something I want to change about myself during my Camino, I need to change my life around for the better, and not just for myself, but for the people who love me too.

Anyway, enough of my personal life, I tend to blabber on quite a bit, not just on forums, but in real life too believe it or not. I just wanted to get other peoples opinions on whether I should extend it or not, I know it's entirely up to me how I choose to do my Camino, but a few opinions couldn't hurt. What would be the negative impact if i do? Like would it make me feel less determined because I don't have to worry about getting there on time, like there would be no target for me? Or would it just make me feel less worried about time and focus my attention on other, more important, things.

Thanks, Joe.

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Joe ~
I for one am enjoying your posts and am glad you write with questions like this. I think you'll discover that the first week of the Camino is actually your best training -- even better than training at home. Most people learn that after the first week they can walk 25 kms/day without much difficulty and with that average can make the Camino in 33 +/- days.

If you're not eating and drinking you're setting yourself up for trouble. 500 ml of water, one sandwich, and no breakfast are a recipe for exhaustion. Even if you're hoping to lose weight you'll likely need 2500 calories/day to walk this far, plus lots of water. If you starve yourself of food and water you'll be slow and in misery. Trust me, I just finished a marathon last Saturday which required consuming huge quantities of food in prep, followed by eating and drinking lots even while running. Hiking is the same -- your body needs fuel to burn.

You'll likely want to aim at a pace of about 3 mph (5 kms/hr) for your walking. Five hours at that pace per day is about all you'll need for the 500 miles (800 kms). I walk something shy of 3 mph, take frequent rests, have luxurious lunches, and then afternoon naps, so generally am out walking about 8 hours/day. I'm planning about 32 +/- days for my upcoming Camino.

Wishing you the best ~
Sandy

[BHinSanDiego]

Joe, in regards to changing your return flight wait till you get a little time on the Camino if you can. See how it's going, once you realize how much more time you may or may not need will keep you from having to change your flight again.

[joe]

Hi Sandy, I enjoy reading your posts and information posts too, very informative and interesting always!

I'm not planning on losing any weight as I weigh just under 11 stone (around 70kg), it's ideal for my height at 5"10, but i'm extremely unfit in my mind. Mainly because I smoke and don't do much exercise, if any at all. I know that eating and drinking is very important, but my theory is that I will only when I'm hungry and drink when thirsty. But doing no exercise every single day means my body doesn't really need much food for energy purposes, on average each day I only eat 1 proper meal, I usually don't have breakfast until a few hours after I've woken up, which is around noon (and it usually consists of half a bowl of cereal), so that means I'm not hungry for any lunch, then I'll have a couple of snacks such as sausage rolls or a pot noodle for dinner at around 6-7pm, then that lasts me until the next day. I know that this will have to change on the Camino, and I plan to eat more than usual while walking, at least 3 full meals a day, even if I have to force myself to eat (obviously not until the point of throwing up, but until I'm reasonably full).

My main reason for the Camino is to find out who I am as a person, and spiritually. My initial reason was to try to help my depression and anxiety, but the more I read into the Camino, I feel as though there are other ways I can help myself in other areas... such as religion, spirituality, fitness, health, and to gain a life experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Basically it will be something that will, hopefully, drastically change my life... for the better.

As for the walking, I'd like to stay in a couple of major places, and major cities to look around, so I might take a days rest here and there in a few cities/towns. And then I want to go to Finisterre and Muxia (maybe stay 2-3 nights in Finisterre to try and catch a really nice sunset), and also going by John Brierleys guide book there a few detour routes which take you past some attractions which seem really interesting to me, so I'd like to do some of that as well. Taking all of these things into consideration, I thought it might be best to extend the trip just so I can relax when I need to, and so that I don't strain myself out trying to rush near the end. Obviously, this means an extra weeks worth of money, but because my mum brought it up, she offered to borrow me a few hundred pound and pay her back when I can... she said you can't put a price on an experience like this and she wants me to do it without having any worries or doubts. And at this moment in my life, it's seemed so relevant.

But I dont like the idea of taking money from my mum, we aren't a rich family, not even well off, both parents are average working class people, and with 7 children and 2 grandchildren, it seems unfair that she would offer to pay this much just for me... it seems selfish on my part. My dad thinks she is stupid, but he also said he wouldn't mind borrowing me the money (as long as I paid him back as quickly as possible lol). But... I really don't know, I think too deeply all the time about everything. Like I planned a full Camino, and 2 days touring 15 attractions in Paris, all my flights, trains, equipment and everything else... in under 2 weeks. Some would say that's a good thing, but to me it's just stupid planning everything in such a short amount of time, I always tell myself to take things as they come... and I do try to follow that method, but once my mind takes over theres no stopping it! Hopefully, again, this will change along the Camino.

Maybe I should just cancel my flight, and just book it at the airport when I feel ready, when I've done everything I wanted to do. But again, just now, thinking into it... my parents would need to know a date so that they can drive down to London to pick me up, they said they wanted to spend a night or 2 in London before I arrive at the airport. Hmm... confused!

[HuskyNerd]

Joe, you're a great guy and you'll be fine whichever way you choose. The best thing is -- it's your choice. That's a good thing, and in truth you can't go wrong. You're taking the trip of a lifetime. You'll succeed brilliantly and it'll be an accomplishment you'll prize for the rest of your life.

Just remember -- eat food. It helps you walk. You'll have an appetite from all the walking, so satisfy it. I know your mum will want to see you thickened and ruddy from your adventure, so eat hearty,mate!

[BHinSanDiego]

Joe, I just wanted to say you're doing great now and going to do great in Spain, you've done your research, got your plans all in order, and I've read some posts where you've past along some valuable advise to Cloud! Now all that's left is the easy part (somewhat), walk, eat, wash (yourself & laundry), sleep, do it all over again the next day for a month or so. You better keep us updated when your on your Camino, amigo!
Ultreya,
Barry

[joe]

I extended it by a week today, if I don't take that long I can spend more time in Finisterre and Muxia which would be pretty nice, and then spend a few more days in Santiago. Basically its just so I can take my time and experience the Camino to the fullest.

Thanks for the support and encouragement guys, it really does mean a lot to me, and I will most definitely come on here and keep everyone posted on how I'm doing whilst I'm on the Camino. I'll also write a blog about it all when I return with all my notes.

[grayland]

Ok....you got it all planned and under control.
Now...just lay back and chill. It is impossible to not be excited and anxious to be on the way, but there is absolutely no reason to worry. It will go differently than you are now thinking...but it a good way. There is nothing on the Camino to be worried about as there is always someone in exactly the same situation as you.
Relax...Relax... We envy your upcoming Camino.

[joe]

Thanks grayland, I will try to relax, it's only 3 weeks away now! Getting all the little things sorted out now, sun cream, deodorant, razors etc. But after that I will just relax and prepare for the Camino a little bit.

[grayland]

You don't need the razors and shaving creme. Just more to carry. Most men just let as much beard as grows do its thing.
You can pick up a disposable razor toward the end if you like.
Don't overdo the toiletries. It is not needed. Just bring travel sizes of the things you have to have.

[Covey]

Ahh.........the joys of walking the Camino for a man. Being able to skip shaving for a couple of days without Senior Management (aka She Who Must Be Obeyed) expressing her absolute disapproval on the subject!! Being able to wear comfortable clothing and not having to worry about the rumpled look. Not having to worry about eating healthily and being able to have that extra glass of wine knowing that She will never know!!

[HuskyNerd]

Personally, I prefer to shave while on the Camino, but not because of SWMBO. I just don't want my post-Camino tan to be only on the upper part of my face.