Portugues in March recovery walk

[RowenaH]

Hello! Recent lurker who is coming out to declare intent to make things happen. I'm considering the Portuguese from Porto to Santiago in March as I will be in Lisbon end February.

My reasons to take the camino will be to hopefully celebrate the management of an autoimmune disease. I used to be an enthusiastic weekend endurance athlete so the walk and mental journey of the Camino would have been something I would have easily taken in my stride. Now this will be a wonderful yet daunting challenge and celebration of getting some health back. It's great to use this forum to read other stories of people walking with an auto immune disease.

At the moment my challenges are maintaining health and energy levels across several and balancing work, so my Camino may take a long time or if my research reveals there's accommodation options, starting with the smaller Fatima as a test as it really calls me for spiritual reasons. This will also allow me to check out food options as this may also be a challenge. (Sigh)

While I'm a light packer (I only take a small carry on for 3 month trips) the 10% rule seems pretty tiny when you only weigh 50kgs! So maybe I need to work on weighing more

 

[dougfitz]

While I'm a light packer (I only take a small carry on for 3 month trips) the 10% rule seems pretty tiny when you only weigh 50kgs! So maybe I need to work on weighing more

Indeed, for lighter people it can be difficult. But there is no rule! It is at best a rule of thumb for summer packing, and if you are walking in early spring you might expect that you will need to be packing more than that. Perhaps from 25% to 50% more. While the basic pattern of what clothing and equipment you need is unlikely to change much, if at all, from a summer walk, the weight of individual items that you will need for early spring is likely to be a little heavier. That soon adds up.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Hello! Recent lurker who is coming out to declare intent to make things happen. I'm considering the Portuguese from Porto to Santiago in March as I will be in Lisbon end February.

My reasons to take the camino will be to hopefully celebrate the management of an autoimmune disease. I used to be an enthusiastic weekend endurance athlete so the walk and mental journey of the Camino would have been something I would have easily taken in my stride. Now this will be a wonderful yet daunting challenge and celebration of getting some health back. It's great to use this forum to read other stories of people walking with an auto immune disease.

At the moment my challenges are maintaining health and energy levels across several and balancing work, so my Camino may take a long time or if my research reveals there's accommodation options, starting with the smaller Fatima as a test as it really calls me for spiritual reasons. This will also allow me to check out food options as this may also be a challenge. (Sigh)

While I'm a light packer (I only take a small carry on for 3 month trips) the 10% rule seems pretty tiny when you only weigh 50kgs! So maybe I need to work on weighing more

From a personal standpoint I can’t emphasise how important the weight you can carry is assessed before you travel. I can walk forever but have very poor upper body strength. Not quite sure why it is so bad!!! I weigh 90kgs but no way I could carry 9kgs. Luckily I travel extremely light so I max out at I would guess just a few kilos. I also like ‘being light’ for psychological reasons. Shorts only (no trousers) and travel light. That’s my mantra!

 

[David Tallan]

While I'm a light packer (I only take a small carry on for 3 month trips) the 10% rule seems pretty tiny when you only weigh 50kgs! So maybe I need to work on weighing more

The simple solution is just double your weight. If you start your ice cream diet now, you might be ready for your Camino in time.

Seriously, as dougfitz says, it is just a guideline. My own guideline is somewhat different. Take only what you need. Give everything a second and third thought "do I really need this". Then stop worrying. (Almost everyone, myself included, may have one or two exceptions to this "only absolute necessities" rule. So long as they are sufficiently light exceptions, that is okay. Rice cookers are not recommended.)

 

[RowenaH]

Exactly an ice cream diet might be fun. I could even be ready for a Channel Swim after How did you know my weakness is a rice cooker?!
Luckily we live a lot on the road so I will be practising my weight carrying at the right time, while walking in Thailand.