Training

I have heard mixed recommendations for training to walk the Camino--some say no preparation is necessary, others train for months.  I did some training for the Camino and was glad that I did, but my sister (who is more athletic) did not train for the walk and did fine.  My basic suggestion is that you know your body (strengths and weaknesses) and know if you need to do any preparatory training or not.

Here's my basic training schedule, most of which was done in the boots I planned to wear for the Camino.  **Important!  Even if you don't need to train for the physical fitness aspect, you will want to break in your boots!!**

2+ months away: I walk my dog 1 mile every day.  This was my baseline before training, and meant that I had a slight edge over being completely sedentary.

8 weeks away: I began walking 2-3 miles roughly 2 times per week, and continued to walk 1 mile each other day of the week.
7 weeks away: I started experimenting with weights in a backpack.  I walked on a treadmill (because of bad weather) and made sure I was walking at a 3mph pace.  I did 3 miles in 1 hour with 11 lbs. on my back the first time.
6 weeks away: The second time I walked with weight it was 3 miles in 1 hour with 16 lbs.  This was strenuous, so  the next time I went back down to a lighter weight.
5 weeks: 3 miles in 1 hour with 13 lbs.  This week I also started spiking up one day a week, and did 7.2 miles with my mom with no pack.
4 weeks: I did several 2 mile walks with a weighted pack.
3 weeks: more 2 mile walks, and one 6.3 miles with a weighted pack.
2 weeks: more 2 mile walks, and one 10 mile with a weighted pack.
1 week: more 2 mile walks, and one 10 mile with a weighted pack.

where I trained

As you can tell, I never actually trained for doing multiple long days in a row.  But as you can also see, my body adapted very quickly to the walking, in regards to both distance and weight.  The first long walk in week 5 with no pack was very tiring, but eventually even that distance with a pack was not too bad.

So, did training work?  Yes and no.  I was very comfortable with the weight in my pack (more about that on the Packing page) and my bag was very comfortable.  The weight was no problem at all.  But I trained on a very flat, very well-kept trail, and it turns out that was the tough part for me.  The trail of the Camino was much more rocky (it is well-kept, but it's often full of little stones or made up of small pavers with edges, etc.) and it was much more hilly than I expected.  For these reasons, my feet did hurt and, not surprisingly, my ankles hurt (a lot).  Additionally, the longest distance I walked while training was only 10 miles and we ended up walking about 12-15 miles each day (20-24km).  It turns out even just a little extra length really made me struggle.

the camino

Now, after the fact, my body feels much stronger than it was before.  The Camino was good, steady cardio for me, and it felt good to push myself and struggle but still succeed.