Fitness for the walk?

[Katherine]

Hi, I am 19 and planning to do the Camino next year some time - the big one, I think and was wondering what the fitness requirement are like? I am fine walking long distances but was wondering whether there was anything I should particularly do in preparation? My mum and I, my pilgrimage buddy, are planning to walk but are avid cyclists and train regularly. We are of average fitness but I was just cautious in case there was anything I should really prepare for?

Any other tips would be welcome

[Atlantic]

Hi Katherine

People might be able to help more if you said what you mean by 'the big one'. That could be a number of caminos, but if you mean the Francés then it could start in France or at your own front door, as many Dutch people do.

Average fitness is fine IMO, and the only factor you won't have experienced is the length of the walk. For example my first camino was from Le Puy - Santiago (about 1600kms). After a month I had to stop for a weekend to recharge my physical batteries. I did nothing but rest for 2 days. Then I was off again.

Don't worry, just go! You'll be fine. Nothing is difficult on the Francés except weeks of distance - it's a footpath all the way.

[Katherine]

We're probably going to walk the 800km one from the French starting point. Thanks for your help.

[Atlantic]

I assume you mean St Jean Pied de Port, then over the Pyrenées foothills to Roncesvalles, or Ronceveaux, in Spain.

It's a great starting point. There are several places you can stay in St Jean - pilgrim/walker places I mean. And in Roncesvalles, there is the ancient and large pilgrim refuge there.

People generally say the Brierley guidebooks are good, tho' I've not read one.

I wish you a very good camino.

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Katherine ~
Atlantic is right -- a person with average fitness can make this walk. The reason is that this is not a race and a person can walk at his/her pace and take as long or as little during the day as they choose even if their cardio fitness level is not up to athletic standards. The biggest difficulties come when a person's lack of self-care leads to blisters and/or tendonitis. There's some benefit from training to alleviate or prevent both.

Blisters are a huge deal for many pilgrims. This year my sister, who is significantly overweight, managed the walking distances fine until her blisters sidelined her. As a result she completed about 1/2 of the walk from SJPP. The best way to prevent blisters is to have boots that fit your feet very well, then to prepare your feet each day (there are a variety of strategies described on this Forum) and stop to care for them when/if you feel a blister coming on. In my opinion, in advance of the camino it is very, very helpful to break in your boots with at least a couple of weeks of long walks over varied terrain while carrying a pack so that you can be assured your boots and feet get along very well.

Tendonitis has a variety of causes, but the biggest one is lack of proper hydration. As a marathon runner I learned that training is not just getting your muscles in shape, but is creating a pattern of self-care that includes eating and drinking at proper intervals to maintain your body's internal balance.

So, you are unlikely to be hurt by training in advance, and there are several reasons why it can help. Buen camino!

[Atlantic]

H offers sound advice on blisters, which is a wide subject. I will only add that for me, my main (or only) technique is to wear two pairs of socks. One is thin and closefitting,(not tight) the other is just normal.

The reasoning is that as many blisters are caused by friction on the skin, this can be much reduced or eliminated by this sock system - the thin sock acts as the skin, taking the friction.

There are manufactured double socks but I've never used them; ordinary socks suit me. It's a good idea when walking in summer to take your boots off when resting, and let the air dry your feet, even of negligible amounts of moisture. Feels good too! If you stick your feet in water, make sure they are totally dry before restarting.

You may get no blisters at all. But nothing is guaranteed in walking!

[Gazza]

Katherine, Husky's advice (as normal) is very sound.
For socks, there has been a lot said around a product called 1000 mile socks, which a dual liner sock. I used these last year(got them off a UK website). They work fantastic & keep the moisture away from the foot.

As for fitness my biggest tip (per Husky's reply) is to not only do some walking, but do it with pack on. So your upper body can get use to something it wouldn't normally have to deal with.

[unadara]

I read all the advice before I started the Camino in Sept this year. My boots were a little loose and I had experimented with socks and brought 4 pairs with me. I wore 1000 miles for first few days, important to state, 1000 miles make lots of different types of sock. The weather was very hot, the walking and heat made my feet swell up! after that I wore the thinner pair of 1000 miles, advertised as a tennis shoe/trainer sock, this was only way I could get my feet into my boots!. I then got blisters...baah, on day 14 now. I was not able to take off the boots to air my feet as I could not get started again without "pain". Other "irish" women on the Camino suffered same fate. Towards end I was wearing sock liners only or maybe 2 on one foot..my feet healed and were fine for last 14 days (31 in all). Smartwool were not possible for me, my husband also wore his 1000 mile (his were trekking kind). I didn't know tendonitis can be caused by lack of hydration but do now, when I got sick I took on board isotonic drinks and everything improved.
This is long winded I know and as you are walking 16 days none of this may apply to you BUT others may also read this thread as it relates to Fitness. Light weight trekking shoes seem to be most popular, get them as soon as you can. AND DO include Finisterre and Muxia.
Buen Camino