Walking in October, November 2011

[crashwest2830]

I am on my first Camino. Walked from St JPdP to Granón. Did the last three days - about 80km - with very saw muscles in my shins - painful. Decided to have my bag carried for me for one stretch to see if walking without the bag would help. Got about 200m up the road and decided this was a no brainer. So, got the bus to Burgos. Very disappointed that I had to do this but that´s the way it is.

Arrived here yesterday and will start walking again tomorrow. So, have had 2 days without walking. Tomorrow, will walk slowly and hope that I get better.

My main problem was not so much the pain with every step, which was bad enough, but the concern that I was making things worse and that I would not be able to continue. Anyway, the legs are settling down.

Made me think that I was a tad arrogrant planning my trip with dates and distances thinking that it would just happen with no problems. Has brought me back to earth with a small thud.

Freezing in Burgos today and cloudy so hope it doesn´t start raining.

From Australia, getting to StJPdP, I flew to Paris, then to Biarritz, bus to Bayonne and train to StJPdP. Reasonably easy. A bit of French helped and my confidence with French has increased.

No advice for potential travellers but I would have found some Spanish very helpful. Most Spaniards, in my experience, speak only Spanish. Having said that, most that I have come across are very helpful.

Finally, I took too much stuff. Not that I wouldn´t have liked to hang onto it but the pack is too heavy. So, today I sent off about 2.5kg to Santiago. That is a fair bit of stuff. Yes, it might have come in handy but, with my sore legs, I need to make it as easy for them as possible.

Buon Camino

[Atlantic]

I am on my first Camino. Walked from St JPdP to Granón. Did the last three days - about 80km - with very saw muscles in my shins - painful. Decided to have my bag carried for me for one stretch to see if walking without the bag would help. Got about 200m up the road and decided this was a no brainer. So, got the bus to Burgos. Very disappointed that I had to do this but that´s the way it is.

Arrived here yesterday and will start walking again tomorrow. So, have had 2 days without walking. Tomorrow, will walk slowly and hope that I get better.

My main problem was not so much the pain with every step, which was bad enough, but the concern that I was making things worse and that I would not be able to continue. Anyway, the legs are settling down.

Made me think that I was a tad arrogrant planning my trip with dates and distances thinking that it would just happen with no problems. Has brought me back to earth with a small thud.

Freezing in Burgos today and cloudy so hope it doesn´t start raining.

From Australia, getting to StJPdP, I flew to Paris, then to Biarritz, bus to Bayonne and train to StJPdP. Reasonably easy. A bit of French helped and my confidence with French has increased.

No advice for potential travellers but I would have found some Spanish very helpful. Most Spaniards, in my experience, speak only Spanish. Having said that, most that I have come across are very helpful.

Finally, I took too much stuff. Not that I wouldn´t have liked to hang onto it but the pack is too heavy. So, today I sent off about 2.5kg to Santiago. That is a fair bit of stuff. Yes, it might have come in handy but, with my sore legs, I need to make it as easy for them as possible.

Buon Camino

I think you are wise to find ways to complete your camino. Sorry you got leg probs, but hang on in there and do what you can to finish your camino. If you have to bus a bit to allow you to get to Santiago then go for it. In the beginning and the end it's your walk and it's just OK if you have to make and mend. I congratulate you on doing what you have already. Well done, take it easy.

Not sure what you mean by a heavy pack - for many up to 8,9,10 kilos is plenty.

Buen camino and good luck!

[HuskyNerd]

Sorry also to hear about your sore legs, Crash. I'm sure you've been told 1000 times what I learned only through marathon training: that a lot of muscle cramping comes from a) too little water intake, and b) too few electrolytes. Also, if you're stretching your muscles in prep for walking, wait on that until they're warm. Cold stretches can bring on tendonitis. Sorry for all the likely-unwanted advice! Congrats on making it to Burgos and good luck on the remainder. You can do it!

[sean]

Hi Crashwest 2830

Your problem sounds familiar to me. I walked with sore legs and it did spread to my tendons doing serious damage. I would recommend using orthotics in your boots, if you are not doing so already. If the tendons lower down in your leg around the ankle area, bandage them but not too tightly. You can buy them in any sports shop and they are not too expensive. Take care and enjoy your Camino.

Regards,

Sean
Dublin

[Atlantic]

Made me think that I was a tad arrogrant planning my trip with dates and distances thinking that it would just happen with no problems. Has brought me back to earth with a small thud.

Buon Camino

I'd say you've done the right thing by slowing down and resting. As for arrogance, I ignored good advice that I shouldn't do the Via de la Plata in July/August. Once there, I couldn't take the heat despite beginning before first light each day. I had to bus north to where it was cooler and start again.I regard that as a great lesson ,and have applied that lesson since regarding other hot months. So we learn something from mistakes.

Take it easy, compromise, rest, go slow and you could well get back up to normal, and the sore legs could heal. But don't feel down.

Buen camino

[unadara]

We are just back and nearly everyone! had sore shins, we got patches in the farmacia "diclofenac sodium" ..they are white squares that stick on and really work as they are anti-inflamatory, also ice when you stop, and drink more fluids, get isotonics if you can, eroski have own brand.
Hope this advice is not too late, good luck, I also had to rest from food poisoning? heat..we must do our best and what we can.
Una