Preparing / training

[digitalgerry]

Happy New Year fellow walkers.

I’ve booked my flights to Porto for 2 weeks the second week of April. So I’m committed. I’ve never done a major walk before as I prefer cycling and had considered it but feel to get the beefier at least walk it first time.

I’m a will be-60 year old next autumn with T2 diabetes, also atrial-fib and slightly overweight so I’ve got approx 90-days to prepare and train. The plan is to loose 10kg with the whole experience and possibly not be T2 if possible.

Any resources or advice other than the closer I get walk 2 days back to back with my kit;

What should I be doing NOW?

Much appreciated!

Gerry

 

[trecile]

I've added the tag "training/fitness/health" to the top of the thread. Click on it to find more threads on the topic, including this recent one:

D

Thread 'Physical training for Camino Frances'

Thursday at 5:20 PM

Hello and Happy New Year!

Please advise about books/websites/podcasts with suggestions for training for the Camino Frances. We are interested in advice about walking/hiking as well as strength training/cross training.

Thank you so much!

• DandT
• training/fitness/health
• Replies: 31
• Camino de Santiago Forum: 🩺 Health & Medical Topics

• 
• 

 

[Roland49]

Bonne Année, Gerry!

Try to limit your carbs (I know, pretty impossible on french diet ).

Try to walk comfortable 2-5km daily without "kit" (but with your shoes and socks that you planned for the CP) for the first 4-6 weeks.
After that, try to walk up to 10km in one go 1-2 times per week for the next 4 weeks. If you feel comfortable doing, fit your filled kit and do the same: voilà: training done!

Have fun on the CP, try not to rush, turn around from time to time, it's really a nice and easy hike, especially the coastal.

I've done the CF almost untrained and had no problems (only a very annoying blister down to Molinaseca) at all.

 

[digitalgerry]

Bonne Année, Gerry!

Try to limit your carbs (I know, pretty impossible on french diet ).

Try to walk comfortable 2-5km daily without "kit" (but with your shoes and socks that you planned for the CP) for the first 4-6 weeks.
After that, try to walk up to 10km in one go 1-2 times per week for the next 4 weeks. If you feel comfortable doing, fit your filled kit and do the same: voilà: training done!

Have fun on the CP, try not to rush, turn around from time to time, it's really a nice and easy hike, especially the coastal.

I've done the CF almost untrained and had no problems (only a very annoying blister down to Molinaseca) at all.

Thanks Roland
Yes the diet-français isn’t good as a diabetic and I run a b&b so always carbs; but it’s about the right carbs.

Thanks that’s great advice! I’ve just bought some new boots and Decathlon double lined socks. I’m off to UK in a couple of weeks so will get some Vaseline as well!

Beun camino

 

[J Willhaus]

Yes, and double check with a health professional. If you have A-fib, make sure it is well controlled and know what other effects your medications may have. Some classes of medication slow the heart and others may make you more vulnerable to the sun, etc.

 

[digitalgerry]

Thank you. I am booming a cardiologist review also and I’m a nurse and all covered in health insurance.

 

[Mallowman]

Happy New Year fellow walkers.

I’ve booked my flights to Porto for 2 weeks the second week of April. So I’m committed. I’ve never done a major walk before as I prefer cycling and had considered it but feel to get the beefier at least walk it first time.

I’m a will be-60 year old next autumn with T2 diabetes, also atrial-fib and slightly overweight so I’ve got approx 90-days to prepare and train. The plan is to loose 10kg with the whole experience and possibly not be T2 if possible.

Any resources or advice other than the closer I get walk 2 days back to back with my kit;

What should I be doing NOW?

Much appreciated!

Gerry

I was 69 when I did the CF, T2 diabetes, overweight and way too much stuff in my backpack. My simple recommendation is to "train as you fight". I didn't worry about food; I just ate what looked good. When i returned and had my normal checkup my A1C was 5.9. Currently preparing for the Via de la Plata in March by walking with and without my backpack. Enjoy your Camino and remember your six P's and you will have a blast. Buen Camino

 

[digitalgerry]

I was 69 when I did the CF, T2 diabetes, overweight and way too much stuff in my backpack. My simple recommendation is to "train as you fight". I didn't worry about food; I just ate what looked good. When i returned and had my normal checkup my A1C was 5.9. Currently preparing for the Via de la Plata in March by walking with and without my backpack. Enjoy your Camino and remember your six P's and you will have a blast. Buen Camino

Thanks Mallowman you’ll have to enlighten me to the 6 P’s I’ve no idea what you mean?

Buen Camino also

 

[Mallowman]

Thanks Mallowman you’ll have to enlighten me to the 6 P’s I’ve no idea what you mean?

Buen Camino also

The 6 P's. Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance. An old saying from my ARMY days.

 

[Caomhin O Fearghaill]

Happy New Year fellow walkers.

I’ve booked my flights to Porto for 2 weeks the second week of April. So I’m committed. I’ve never done a major walk before as I prefer cycling and had considered it but feel to get the beefier at least walk it first time.

I’m a will be-60 year old next autumn with T2 diabetes, also atrial-fib and slightly overweight so I’ve got approx 90-days to prepare and train. The plan is to loose 10kg with the whole experience and possibly not be T2 if possible.

Any resources or advice other than the closer I get walk 2 days back to back with my kit;

What should I be doing NOW?

Much appreciated!

Gerry

I have chronic health issues too, so the first thing I do is to check things out with my doc before I decide to put my boots on again.

 

[henrythedog]

I think you’ve got to separate your two objectives - and take advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

But until one comes along:

There has been mounting evidence that significant calorie restriction leading to weight loss can be enough to reverse T2 diabetes. My brother has T2 - through lifestyle choice - and when I tell my doctor that she’s determined to then test me sufficiently to class me as pre-diabetic; which I’m not. If it were a parent I could understand it.

Anyway, my brother will not take my (very) strongly worded advice to forget everything else and get some weight off, and I don’t expect anyone else will.

As for training: reduce carbs, increase protein, start walking then add a small pack. If you’re overweight and unaccustomed, do not start running.

Camino fitness is endurance not speed; but every rest stop doesn’t necessarily need a pincho de tortilla and a beer.

Weight-loss through exercise is very very difficult. Bite the bullet (which is thankfully calorie free) and cut down your food intake.

 

[trecile]

Weight-loss through exercise is very very difficult.

So true, except for "push aways" - pushing yourself away from the table.

 

[John Sikora]

I find that the distances are not as big a problem for me as the inclines. So, before I walk a Camino I try to make sure that I can walk at least 600m in inclines without adverse effects (or should that be affects). Treadmills work pretty good at that. If you can do that 2-3 days in a row without too much discomfort the next day, you'll be in a much better place. (BTW, I'm 75 and walking the last half of the VDLP next May).

 

[Nelle]

I can’t speak to weight loss or your other health concerns, but if possible, try to do long walks several days in a row (preferably with your pack) to get a sense of how your feet will hold up over the long haul. I didn’t have any blisters for the first 100k of the CF, and then my left foot started rebelling mightily, particulalry the left little toe. Through trial and error (mostly error), I figured out how to tape blisters, file my nails, tie my shoes, etc. in ways that helped avoid similar problems on my right foot. Knowledge is power. Good luck and Bon Chemin.

 

[Itsnever2late]

Thanks that’s great advice! I’ve just bought some new boots and Decathlon double lined socks. I’m off to UK in a couple of weeks so will get some Vaseline as well!

Spend time reviewing suggestions on the forum regarding footwear. Try a few boot/shoe/sock combinations over the next few weeks to see what works .

 

[digitalgerry]

I think you’ve got to separate your two objectives - and take advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

But until one comes along:

There has been mounting evidence that significant calorie restriction leading to weight loss can be enough to reverse T2 diabetes. My brother has T2 - through lifestyle choice - and when I tell my doctor that she’s determined to then test me sufficiently to class me as pre-diabetic; which I’m not. If it were a parent I could understand it.

Anyway, my brother will not take my (very) strongly worded advice to forget everything else and get some weight off, and I don’t expect anyone else will.

As for training: reduce carbs, increase protein, start walking then add a small pack. If you’re overweight and unaccustomed, do not start running.

Camino fitness is endurance not speed; but every rest stop doesn’t necessarily need a pincho de tortilla and a beer.

Weight-loss through exercise is very very difficult. Bite the bullet (which is thankfully calorie free) and cut down your food intake.

Trust me I am!!! Strugged though walking through the sugar aisle aka cake, biscuits and sweets today in LIDL.

 

[digitalgerry]

I can’t speak to weight loss or your other health concerns, but if possible, try to do long walks several days in a row (preferably with your pack) to get a sense of how your feet will hold up over the long haul. I didn’t have any blisters for the first 100k of the CF, and then my left foot started rebelling mightily, particulalry the left little toe. Through trial and error (mostly error), I figured out how to tape blisters, file my nails, tie my shoes, etc. in ways that helped avoid similar problems on my right foot. Knowledge is power. Good luck and Bon Chemin.

Thanks Natalie, and that's the plan about early March so I've a month before I go.

 

[AllisonMarie]

Thanks Roland
Yes the diet-français isn’t good as a diabetic and I run a b&b so always carbs; but it’s about the right carbs.

Thanks that’s great advice! I’ve just bought some new boots and Decathlon double lined socks. I’m off to UK in a couple of weeks so will get some Vaseline as well!

Beun camino

And you might love boots, but many people find them to be heavier and warmer than they need or want on the Camino. You may want to consider trail shoes?

 

[AchimBerlin]

The 6 P's. Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance. An old saying from my ARMY days.

Have to remember this. Made my day.

 

[CTLawGal]

I found it helpful to walk two long walks (say, 20k) back-to-back, every 5-6 days, to know my body could do it, then drop it down to 5-10K walks to let my body recover, then repeat. I was able to go to a local land conservation area about 30 minutes from my home to get maybe 1000-1500 feet (300-500 meters) in a long walk, so that helped. When I didn't walk there, I had smaller local hills where I would work at walking them faster each week. I also recommend trekking poles, learn how to use them if you don't know how (there are tons of youtube videos), this can help take some of the pressure off your knees (there is research indicating it relieves 20% to 30% of the pressure), you will thank me, especially on downhills. Even if your route is flat, they can be helpful.

 

[GaryRobArms]

Any resources or advice other than the closer I get walk 2 days back to back with my kit;

What should I be doing NOW?

Right now, you could try walking some tests walks, say 10-20 km with a backpack containing half your expected load two days in a row. Look at the elevation profile of the toughest segment of your Camino route and put some similar hills in your test route. To be safe, make up a route with loops that provide easy exit points at various locations, in case things don't go well. Or keep it urban enough that you can always call a cab for a rescue.

That would probably expose any weaknesses you need to work on. You said you cycle and that you are a nurse. Perhaps you are already fit enough, maybe you already walk 10 km a day on the job.

And if the test walks go okay, and winging it is your modus operandi, then go for it. According to the guide books, and many of the posts on the this forum, lots of people do virtually no training at all and do okay. From the posts, it appears to me that some people take pride in having done it without having done any real training. The "Just do it" mentality, to bravely jump into the breach and deal with whatever happens. The "leap of faith". Not my style -- I overtrain so that the walking is easy and doesn't interfere with enjoying the experience -- but to each pilgrim, his own pilgrimage.

Anyway, a couple of consecutive test walks now would tell you what you need to work on - or that your shoes or your backpack don't really fit you -- and you still have 90 days to work on those things.

BTW - These test walks don't need to be epic, complicated hikes. For example, is there a 5 km loop you could walk from your house? Get up early, put your backpack on and walk it. Back home, have a coffee and snack, then walk it again. Make some lunch in your own kitchen, and then walk it again. You've done 15 km. Do it all again the next day. Perhaps a bit boring, but it will tell you what you need to know. That also simulates the typical daily pattern on a Camino of walking for an hour or so and stopping for a coffee, another hour or so of walking and stop for lunch, another couple hours of walking and you're at the next accommodation.

 

[digitalgerry]

Thanks everyone, this is all really helpful.