Tips

[biloute]

Went back to the local backpacking store today and drug both my parents with me. My dad still won't admit I'm know what I'm talking about, just that I've done some reading. The expert we were talking about was very impressed with what I knew about the Osprey Ariel, and was SUPER impressed when I said I was looking at a Tarptent. Apparently most people who go in there are completely clueless.

He also recommended looking at MSR, which I'll do here in a bit, and gave me some tips for training. Basically, vary the type of activity between walking, cycling and swimming, and make sure to stretch a lot, for at least 30 seconds each stretch. He said the stretching will really help for preventing and taking care of tendinitis. Also, I already read in the forums about putting your heavier items on top, but you should also pack them closer to your shoulders rather than the front of your pack.

Anything else general that you'd like to add?

 

[dougfitz]

Fathers can be like that. In our heads, we know our children are capable young men and women, but in our hearts ...

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Went back to the local backpacking store today and drug both my parents with me. My dad still won't admit I'm know what I'm talking about. Anything else general that you'd like to add?

I think drugging your parents is a wee bit extreme ..... don't worry about your Dad - he'll come round, and be fascinated by your stories when you get back.
Welcome to the life-changing Camino!

 

[NicoZ]

He also recommended looking at MSR, which I'll do here in a bit, and gave me some tips for training. Basically, vary the type of activity between walking, cycling and swimming, and make sure to stretch a lot, for at least 30 seconds each stretch. He said the stretching will really help for preventing and taking care of tendinitis.

Are you walking? Riding? Or doing a triathlon? I'm a big believer in functional training. You only get better at walking by walking. There are reasons to combine other things but walking isn't going to create huge imbalances. Even if it did I can't see how combining walking,riding and swimming would help.


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1250267/

In summary, the results of this review do not support the role of pre-exercise or postexercise stretching as an intervention addressing postexercise muscle soreness. In addition, the evidence presented in this review does not support the role of pre-exercise stretching in the reduction of lower extremity injury risk.

 

[Jonas]

Went back to the local backpacking store today and drug both my parents with me. My dad still won't admit I'm know what I'm talking about, just that I've done some reading. The expert we were talking about was very impressed with what I knew about the Osprey Ariel, and was SUPER impressed when I said I was looking at a Tarptent. Apparently most people who go in there are completely clueless.

He also recommended looking at MSR, which I'll do here in a bit, and gave me some tips for training. Basically, vary the type of activity between walking, cycling and swimming, and make sure to stretch a lot, for at least 30 seconds each stretch. He said the stretching will really help for preventing and taking care of tendinitis. Also, I already read in the forums about putting your heavier items on top, but you should also pack them closer to your shoulders rather than the front of your pack.

Anything else general that you'd like to add?

Remember that it is the parents job to worry As your job is to free yourself !
(I´m dad to three)

I believe in varied training. Variation makes it funnier to train, as well.
Swimming will be very good training for your upper body, strengthening both back and shoulders, preparing you to carry backpack.

 

[MichaelB10398]

This is good topic; I am sure that many who hike/walk a lot have many small tips to facilitate the hike or make it more enjoyable. The Camino is something where many tips don't apply. There is not a lot of camping per se. What we do is walk and then we continue walking. Depending upon your physical condition you may only need shoes without ankle support i.e. a boot is too much. However, if you are concerned about twisting an ankle, etc. get a light weight boot. I suspect you know the value of an excellent fit when it comes to shoes; taking breaks to remove the shoes and rest the feet; going as light as possible; repeat that last phrase one hundred times and strip your pack down to the bare essentials. There are several packing lists on the Forum that should be reviewed.

As many of the fathers that have already written; be gentle with us. Being a father means being willing to sacrifice all that we have for our children; we fear for them; we worry for them; we pray over them; and we are desperate for them to be happy. So much of our behavior can be misinterpreted because expressing our feelings can be difficult. Continue to talk to him about your research of the Camino and the different decisions your are considering. Share the history of the Camino, your reasons for going, what trail you will take and why. These are things that will help him to understand your choice to walk and allay his concerns.

God bless you and your father; your Camino has already begun.

 

[biloute]

I believe in varied training. Variation makes it funnier to train, as well.
Swimming will be very good training for your upper body, strengthening both back and shoulders, preparing you to carry backpack.

This is exactly why he said to vary the type of training, because carrying a pack requires a stronger torso, and just walking won't do that. Plus, if you think about it, the different conditions of hiking (or any activity you're not used to) makes you realize all the muscles you didn't know you had. Hence the biking.

And to clarify, he didn't say stretch beforehand, and it wasn't about muscles. I asked about tendinitis, which is different. I've had plantar fasciitis and whenever I feel it starting to bother me again, I stretch it out, which prevents it from really flaring up. Luckily, the stretches I use for that will stretch the calves, reducing the likelihood of getting shin splints.

As for my dad, worrying is one thing. But he's just so negative and even criticizing! Maybe he won't be eventually, but that won't be until after I'm back. So I have to make sure I finish, or almost finish, from Le Puy all the way to Santiago, else I just know he'll say something like "told you so."

 

[karenfromcali]

As for my dad, worrying is one thing. But he's just so negative and even criticizing! Maybe he won't be eventually, but that won't be until after I'm back. So I have to make sure I finish, or almost finish, from Le Puy all the way to Santiago, else I just know he'll say something like "told you so."

Many pilgrims begin their camino with the lack of support of family and friends. Sometimes with downright criticism and hostility. But ultimately the camino is a very personal decision that those not undertaking it sometimes find hard to understand. Try to let this wash over you. This is your journey in life and no one can make it for you. I hope your camino will be all you hope it to be. I'm sure you will have many inspiring stories to share with your father afterward.
Ultreya!
Karen

 

[Deleted member 3000]

he's just so negative

You cannot control that, but you can control your reaction to it. So what if he says "I told you so"? Schoolyard taunts don't bother you anymore. Why should his?

 

[Tammi Murray]

I would be interested in knowing what types of stretches aided with plantar fasciitis. I have developed this over the past year and it remains painful to walk in normal life, some days more than others. I currently walk about 3 miles a day with a packpack weighing more than I plan to walk the Camino with (aka "book addiction". Hiking boots seem to help a lot, but I was hoping not to bring them on the Camino and opt for a lighter shoe if possible.

 

[biloute]

You of do a lunge, the foot with the problem in the back. Make sure your feet are facing straight forward. They should be a couple feet apart. When you've stretched it out a little, bend your back knee to deepen the stretch.

You can also stretch it by hanging the heel off of a step.

 

[nellpilgrim]

I already read in the forums about putting your heavier items on top, but you should also pack them closer to your shoulders rather than the front of your pack.
Anything else general that you'd like to add?

Hi,
For some reason I find it more comfortable to pack the heavier stuff lower in my backpack so the weight sort of sits on my hips rather than my shoulders/upper back-and I always use my waist strap to really transfer the load. I'm not sure if this is a personal idiosyncrasy or a more generic female preference? But I've found the same approach works for both my Lowe and Deuter packs-each of which have different frames and padding.
And yes heavier items closer to 'back' rather than 'front' of pack whether you go for upper or lower approach.
Also maybe try packing up you backpack options and then jump down a stair or two/three and try out destabilising movements such sways, spins, jerks and staggers etc wearing the pack to see just what the dynamics are like (ok the down side of this strategy is the shop staff may think that they've got a drunken pilgrim on their hands!)

 

[newfydog]

Stretching is sacred to many people, but there is little to no science supporting any of the claimed benefits. Your time would be better spent walking more.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Hi,
For some reason I find it more comfortable to pack the heavier stuff lower in my backpack so the weight sort of sits on my hips rather than my shoulders/upper back-and I always use my waist strap to really transfer the load. ..........

We always pack ours this way too, so it isn't gender specific. It might be because our packs Berghaus Men's and Women's Freeflow have the 'air gap' rather than sitting tight against our backs. The weight at the bottom keeps the pack comfortably on our hips and the straps are adjusted to keep the pack in place without strain on our shoulders.

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

I would say that I have a mild case of plantarflacitis. What works for me is to just keep walking thru it. Pain goes away in 5/10 minutes or so. What works for me may not work for you. I do have a pronation so that may be my cause.....