Is it too ambitious?

[Kam14]

Hello,

I’m a woman in my 30s and a beginner to the Camino. I’m planning to walk the Portuguese Way from Porto in 12 days, from late September to mid-October. Do you think this plan is too ambitious? Also, I’d appreciate any advice on good training exercises.

 

[dougfitz]

I walked that Central Route from Porto a couple of years ago in 13 days. I was keeping my days under 20 km where I could. A 12 day pattern seems entirely reasonable to me if you think you can do a longer distance than that regularly, but you would have to do that from the outset.

Before my first Camino, I used a training program from AussieWalks. It has been updated over the years since, and I think still provides reasonable guidance, and can be shaped so it can be done even if you have a full time job. This program aims to prepare people to do a two day walk, typically 20 km or 30 km on successive days. I like to get to that point before I start any longer pilgrimage, but if you cannot, it is always an option to walk yourself fitter by walking (slightly) shorter days at the outset.

 

[LTfit]

In my 60's I did it in 8 days so I would guess 12 would be fine. Only caveat is that I walk everyday all year-round and so I never need to train for a Camino. And my preferred stage length is about 30 km.

 

[temiatwork]

Hello,

I’m a woman in my 30s and a beginner to the Camino. I’m planning to walk the Portuguese Way from Porto in 12 days, from late September to mid-October. Do you think this plan is too ambitious? Also, I’d appreciate any advice on good training exercises.

12 days is fine, I did it in 10 days this July. For training, just walk everyday and in some days do long distance walks.

Day 1: Sé Cathedral–Foz do Douro – Matosinhos (12 km)
Day 2: Matosinhos - Vila do Conde (24 km)
Day 3: Vila do Conde - Marinhas (30 km)
Day 4: Marinhas - Carreço (30 km)
Day 5: Carreço, Portugal - A Guarda, Spain (27 km)
Day 6: A Guarda - Baiona (32 km)
Day 7: Baiona - Vigo (28 km)
Day 8: Vigo - Pontevedra (38 km)
Day 9: Pontevedra - Padron (40 km)
Day 10: Padron - Santiago de Compostela (25 km)

 

[trecile]

Gronze divides Porto to Santiago into ten days.

Camino Portugués Central | Gronze.com

www.gronze.com

I did it in 11 days when I was twice your age.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Gronze divides Porto to Santiago into ten days.

Camino Portugués Central | Gronze.com

www.gronze.com

I did it in 11 days when I was twice your age.

View attachment 176552

And in sandals no doubt . . . (I'm mindful of the remark that "Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did but backwards, and in heels")

 

[AchimBerlin]

Hello,

I’m a woman in my 30s and a beginner to the Camino. I’m planning to walk the Portuguese Way from Porto in 12 days, from late September to mid-October. Do you think this plan is too ambitious? Also, I’d appreciate any advice on good training exercises.

Perfectly doable in 12 days.
As for training: Walk regularly, expand your distances and add some backpack-weight over time.
Choosing training ground with different surfaces and with some up and down might also help training your knees and ankles.
Even so, do expect some sore muscles and back pain in the first days on the Camino.
Besides - enjoy the Portugues!

 

[trecile]

And in sandals no doubt

Of course in sandals!

 

[Tincatinker]

do expect some sore muscles and back pain in the first days on the Camino.

Sore muscles, yes. Back pain is totally avoidable with a properly fitted backpack. I’ve seen it all: hip belts strapped around waists or set so low they’re restricting hip mobility. Shoulder straps so slack that the pack waggles from side to side with every stride. I’ve even seen a fully laden hiking pack worn in front “in case of pickpockets”!!

Never mind, it’s only a Camino

 

[Kam14]

Thank you all for your responses.
Each of your replies was warm, encouraging, and very helpful.
As you advised, I’ll start by reviewing my itinerary and focusing on training from now on.

If I may ask, I’d love to hear about the most challenging experience you had on the Camino from Porto. I’d like to mentally prepare myself! Haha.

 

[mattythedog]

Hello,

I’m a woman in my 30s and a beginner to the Camino. I’m planning to walk the Portuguese Way from Porto in 12 days, from late September to mid-October. Do you think this plan is too ambitious? Also, I’d appreciate any advice on good training exercises.

At 58, I did it in 7 days, in reverse from Santiago right after completing Camino Frances from SJPP with no rest days. You will be fine.

 

[Kiwi-family]

If I may ask, I’d love to hear about the most challenging experience you had on the Camino from Porto. I’d like to mentally prepare myself! Haha.

Dare I suggest the hardest thing for you might be giving up control? That is said in the same generous and encouraging spirit of other posts.

 

[ParisOslo]

Never forget to take the local taxi telephone number every morning before leaving your accommodation.

This way if you are exhausted or for any other reason you can contact them.

Enjoy your trip

 

[David Tallan]

I did it in 13 days, but a lot of people were walking it in less days than me. I'd rather walk two 16km days than one 32km day.

Is it too ambitious? Not for many people. For you? Only your body will know, and not until it tries it. That's why I usually advise people to give themselves a bit of a cushion for a first Camino. Because they don't really know what they are capable of until they put themselves to the test. But I'm certainly not going to tell you it is too ambitious. Not when a number of people have done it in 12 days - or less.