2 weeks to go to my big solo adventure and starting to lose my nerve!

[Twodogsonthecouch]

My brother died very suddenly in his early 40’s 12 years ago. Before he died he had done a number of long solo walking holidays including the Camino from St Jean Pied de Pont to Santiago, so 500 miles.
Ever since it has been my dream to do the same route.
Now I’m 58. My youngest child is in University. I am a partner in work and have very supportive colleagues who will work up while I’m away so on a whim a few weeks ago I decided to go for it. I have booked a single ticket to fly to Biarritz after Easter and have told work I will be gone for 8 weeks. Im going by myself and planning to carry a backpack and wing it because I don’t want to commit to a particular distance each day. I have various friends and family who are coming to join me wherever I am at different times so it should be fantastic and I am very excited.
I’m also getting a bit terrified though. Mainly about the walking. I’m reasonably fit and have done a few 16-18 km hill walks in the past few weeks to prepare but I’m overweight and have menopausal aches and pains and scared I will not be able for it. I have allowed myself an extra 2 weeks to the usual but that still means an average of 15km daily for 8 weeks. I’m telling myself that I will get fitter as I walk.
Am I mad? Reassurance needed 🤯

Before I clicked on this post I hoped it would be someone walking the camino !

Absolutely it will be fine ! It will be wonderful ! You will meet so many people along the way and have the time of your life ! If you are tired and only want to walk 3 kilometres that day it doesn't matter ! It's all part of the experience! Or you can have your bag carried and just take a day sack ! I wasn't very fit when I did it but I managed it just fine I just took things slowly and enjoyed the experience

Wow, good on you. I am sure you will be fine. A friend did the walk just before Covid and said the best piece of advice was 'it is not a race'. Take your time and enjoy every minute.

I would also book the hostel at Ronscevalles for the first night if you can, it's the only thing I booked well in advance so I knew I had somewhere to stay after the first long day after that I went with the flow

We did the last 100km Sarria to Santiago with our young son, it was fantastic. Correos the Spanish postal service will take your bag from stop to stop at a reasonable price if you book them, we used them everyday and it worked brilliantly.
Are you starting at that point where there is a big uphill climb on the first day? I can't remember which starting point it's at but could well be JPP. If so you could book the first couple nights stay and get Correos to take your bag just to break yourself in gently.
Have an amazing time!

No useful advice but this is awesome! I did my first solo travel (much less impressive) earlier this year. I got a bit nervous before I went and then loved it and was proud of myself. Let us know how it goes - it's on my list for when my kids are older.

Have a wonderful time. I was thinking about the camino just yesterday and how I'd love to do it one day.

Have you seen the Martin Sheen film? I really liked it.

I’m dying to do this, but not possible to do it yet. Have a brilliant time.

Brilliant! Please write a book about it afterwards!

Yes! And keep this thread updated as you go. I would follow you avidly.

Have a read (or listen if you prefer audio books) to 'Wild' by Cheryl Strayed.

That will motivate you and keep you going!

Amazing OP, let the nerves jangle if they will and just go for it!

You should join this FB group, https://m.facebook.com/groups/1423255857779766/
loads of over 50 women on there who've hiked the Camino (some in their 70's!). Lots of support and tips on there.
My 58 year friend is travelling solo to the other side of the world shortly for 6 months, am very envious!

If you didn't have some nerves before such a huge adventure you'd be odd surely? But the nerves are just part of the excitement and when you've done it will mean a massive sense of achievement.

I am in awe of folk who do things like this.. bloody good for you!

And I'm sorry about your brother.. I lost mine young too and have found the grief life changing.

Read Spanish Steps by Tim Moore.

Oh my goodness, I am so envious! It will be a tremendous adventure, you'll meet amazing people and discover parts of yourself you didn't know existed. What a lovely tribute to your brother.
And yes, you will get fitter as you go along, you're doing it at a really sensible pace, with no pressure. It will be incredible. Do it for those of us who can't, for whatever reason!

OP: That sounds so cool, I want to go !!

fwiw, I am doing 10-12 days solo in an African country soon, I am only vaguely aware that "hostels" exist, there are bus services between tourist meccas, and I need to figure out a good backpack scheme. I have a plan how to get some of this info after I arrive, I am struggling to get specific info online about the buses & hostels.

Read the Salt Path, btw, if you haven't.

I'm age mid 50s. We can do this. ;-)

I'm envious too! Something I'd really love to do one of these days .... The first series of Pilgrimage was walking the Camino. Enjoy it OP. I hope it's a wonderful experience. And yes, you will get fitter as you walk.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09w7lcg

You might want to read the third section of 'Amber, Fur and Cockleshells' by Anne Mustoe. She was much older than you and she cycled it.

Thanks so much everyone. This is exactly what I need. I’m going 2 weeks today and will start walking the following day. I’m really hoping the route over the Pyrenees via Orisson will be open because it looks spectacular. I’m considering stopping there for the first night even though it’s only 8km in as it’s apparently very steep and it’s the only stop so if I go past it I have to continue to Roncesvalles which is 25km and very steep. I don’t want to get overwhelmed at the very beginning.
My father, sister, daughter and son have all
done the last stage from Sarria at different times since my brother died in memory of him so I really feel it would be special to complete it. I still have the postcards he sent from along the way.
I would love to keep this thread going for the next 10 weeks or so for support before it and updates on the way.
Thanks again ❤️

@Twodogsonthecouch you have eight weeks ! Stop at Orrisson 😊build it up slowly

I would book Orrisson as well so you can relax and know the first two days are sorted !

I had the time of my life, I met so many people and drank a lot of red wine

What a great way to honour your brother

Also there is a great Facebook page called Camigas for women for are off to the camino

I think it sounds fab, check out ‘those happy days’ on YouTube they did a big Camino and filmed most of it…

Sounds amazing @Twodogsonthecouch. It’s something I’d love to do too.

Definitely keep us updated!

Oh my gosh I'm so envious of you! Sadly I never got round to it and due to health I never will. I truly look forward to your updates and I'll live gne journey that way. Do as much or as little as you can, there's no rules.

Oh wow OP, that’s fantastic!

I would treat it like childbirth: you have your ‘everything natural’ plan but if you choose to revert to an epidural (a rest day, a train or bus) that’s entirely up to you! Helps to improve the overall experience.

I do lots of solo trips, mountain walking etc, the sense of freedom and the scenery will uplift and inspire you.

You will get fitter as you walk but IME any injuries / strains also become exacerbated if you don’t rest enough, so I would prioritise not pushing yourself beyond your limit. Yes to the short walk in the first day!

My MIL did it a few years ago. She is overweight with arthritis in her hip. She absolutely lived it!