TRAINING

I dont think that you need to be overly fit to do the Camino, but DONT set off without preparing your body for the nearly 800km that you are about to undertake.

About 9 weeks before D day I tried to do a WALK at least 5 times a week. Some days I had time for only an hour but even if its only 40 mins before or after work, the important thing is to get your feet used to walking on a DAILY basis.

About 6 weeks before D day I joined a local GYM and upped the pace to a gym session at least every 2nd to 3rd day while still trying to walk every day, but on "gym days" making it a small one. I do think its important not to burn yourself out so I would have one day a week of doing nothing.

At the gym I got a work out schedule tailored to what I was undertaking which was perfect, because I'll freely admit that I am one of those people intimidated by all those gym bunnies. So having someone explain all the machines to me and put me on a regime that was managable was just what I needed.

While the Camino is NOT mountain climbing, it is not a flat walk so before you leave do some hill walking. Also, we averaged about 25km a day on the C some days only doing 21 or 22 while on others doing in the mid 30's, so do some big walking days before you leave. One of the hardest aspects of the walk is not getting up and walking 25k its getting up the next day and the day after that and doing it again. Im not saying this to scare you just know its not a walk in the park, but it is without a doubt worth it.