SJPP to Santiago - time line

[rujobec]

We have only the month of May and want to begin our journey leaving from Iowa(USA) on May 1st, starting our pilgrimage in SJPP walking to Santiago and flying home on June 1st. There are six of us in our group with 4 of use being 55+ but we are in pretty good condition. (At least we were before the snow hit the mid-west.) This fall we were training and actually walked 26 miles one day just before Thanksgiving. On our training hikes we walk about 3.8 miles an hour walking anywhere from 6 to 18 miles with an occasional longer hike.
Has anyone out there make the pilgrimage in less than a month for this route? Any comments and suggestions would be appreciated. We hope to book our flights soon.

 

[frescotours]

Hola Rujobec,

You should be ok with that timeline, although you don't have too much leeway. Here are a couple of thoughts:
- One of the challenging parts of the Camino is that you will be going everyday. If you can, in addition to distance, try to walk daily in your preparations. Your body gets stronger as you go, so start out with less KMs and build up.
- Train with weight. Get used to carrying your backpack and the extra weight. Using 2 hiking poles have been shown to reduce pressure in your knees by 30%.
- Although you will be traveling as a group of 6, walk at a pace that feels good for you. Trying to "keep up" with the others (who may be taller, have longer strides, etc...) can cause problems. You can always regroup at a bar for a beer.

Hope this helps - buen camino!

Saludos from Spain,

Alex

 

[sillydoll]

I agree with Alex. Use a profile map to plan your distances. Take it easy the first few days - which are a roller coaster of ups-and-downs - and make up mileage on the long flat sections.
I walked from Roncesvalles to Santiago in 2002 in 27 days, averaging 28kms per day. Some days we walked 40kms and others only 20kms. I was the 'baby' at 56 years and my walking buddy was 74.
You can download a profile of the route from Roncesvalles to Santiago here: http://www.godesalco.com/plan
or on Grant's website here: http://groups.msn.com/ElCaminoSantiago/CaminoMaps2.msnw
and also by clicking on Camino Frances.
http://groups.msn.com/ElCaminoSantiago/ ... ances.msnw