@Rev Anthony , kia ora (greetings, good health)
Given your insights came from some time in France, you could do two things that connect well with the coincidences you experienced there.
Firstly, start from Le Puy-en-Velay (about 2 hours west of Lyon by local train). You would be following in the footsteps of Bishop Godesalco of that place who started around 1,100 years ago and is credited with the first publication of a pilgrimage.
Secondly, take relatively short hops. For example, I met many French and Swiss nationals walking for 1 or 2 weeks from their annual leave.These might be for or five days walking. This way there is no obvious pressure to make a big achievement of reaching Compostela on your attempt.
I was 74 when I started and nearly 76 on reaching Compostela 18 months later [my blog (below) explains]
And I had 4 years training before starting.
To build up my stamina (both body and head) I worked up to:
a) achieving 15 km before stopping for breakfast
b) achieving 400 m of elevation gain before ...
I strongly suggest you start from Le Puy cathedral after the 7 am sending out Eucharist.
And I equally strongly suggest you don't have to walk every metre if your internal supports might be compromised. I understand the British way of doing long distance walks is for a team of at least two, you and a driver. The driver's task would include taking you past sections challenging for conditions. A first suggestion is you walk to the outskirts of Le Puy and then get driven to Sauges. From there to Nasbinal is relatively plain sailing. Of interest to me on that way was a chapel at a cross roads that was open with the book of readings open at those for the day. Again, from Nasbinal be driven to Sainte-Come-d'Olt. After Livinhac-le-Haut the route is probably easier for walking with a condition.
So,
@Rev Anthony , kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)