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 🤯

Any advice on packing? Have you found that what you have is working out for you, or is there anything you wished you had with you? Not sure how I feel about mixed dormitories!😀

This is great and inspiring - well done OP and hope all is going well for you !

Wow, a great adventure. Please do keep us updated!

I’m in awe of you. I’ve wanted to do this since reading a David Lodge book years ago. Realistically, I’m not going to.

Packing is tough. I think I got it pretty much right. I wear gym leggings for walking. I brought one full length pair for cold days, one 3/4 length and one pair of shorts. I have 2 short sleeve tops and 2 long sleeve tops. 1 fleece. One quilted jacket. A rain poncho. A sleeping bag liner. A microfibre towel. One dress. One pair of pyjamas (a lot of people just wear their next day clean clothes to bed). 3 pairs of socks. 4 underwear. Very limited toiletries. Ibuprofen 😂. Compeed plasters. One pair of flip flops. One pair of trekking sandals and one pair of hiking boots. Thats it. Have carried everything so far. Considering getting my bag brought ahead tomorrow and the following day as long 20+ km walks and 26degrees. Think it will be easier on my feet.

The only thing I know about it was from wAtching the TV programme - I know I could never do anything like it but I am so full of admiration for you. I hope you do post and tell us how you are getting on. I think you are amazing xxxx

Getting the bag carried is such a lovely treat !

You've packed like a pro. Good luck OP!

So I’m still here and still walking 😂. Has been a tough few days with blisters but have kept going and getting a bit easier now. Also not as hot the last few days which helps. Have made it as far as Nájera so 190km done. Will pass 25% of the way tomorrow hopefully and that would mean if I can maintain the same distance over the next 5 weeks I will get there 🎉🎉🎉
Not going to lie I am still wrecked at the end of the day. I definitely did not have enough (any!!) miles in my feet. Hard to know how you would train for 15km hilly walks day after day though when you are working and living your normal life.
There’s a great sense of accomplishment at the end of every day and lots of nice people everywhere.

Well done OP it looks epic .

Amazing, well done and keep going, we’re all behind you. X

Just found this and place marking. Looks fab and very inspirational. Plus this thread will be your diary of the walk. Good luck with the miles to come.

Following with interest as I'm planning the Camino this autumn.
You sound like you're doing amazing so far. Buen Camino!

You’re amazing OP!!! You got this😎

Are you planning to do the Camino de Frances? If so where are you starting?

@Twodogsonthecouch I'm not sure where to start. I know I want to finish in Santiago but where I decide to start depends on how much time I'll be able to get off and how brave I'm feeling! I love the idea of walking as far as possible but also feel worried that I will just not have the stamina. Do you think it gets harder or easier as you're going along?

@HoHoHoliday So much depends on your age and fitness. A lot of the people that started with me flew ahead. Some older than me with knee replacements and such were slower.
I’m 57 (58 in 5 weeks) and overweight. I would have quite good cardio fitness and no significant muscle or joint issues. In fact any niggles I had have improved. My feet have been very sore and tired at the end of the day though and I got bad blisters.
I have been averaging approximately 14.5 km a day and that’s still what I am comfortable with. If I go over this I get my bag carried. It hasn’t got easier but that may be because of my blisters. It definitely hasn’t got harder though
People say it gets easier after Burgos!
some of the younger (and fitter people my age!) are planning on 33 days. There’s no way in the world I could do that. I allowed myself 8 weeks. I’m on target for 7 at the moment

I've been loving reading your updates OP. What an adventure!! I'm very jealous and you've made me consider doing something similar. This may be a very daft question but, what do you do for food? Do you find somewhere to stop? Or do you get packed lunch supplies the night before ready for the day following? I'm assuming some of the routes are very rural and don't have much around.

@KarateSchnitzel actually it’s one of the things I find hardest. I don’t eat meat which makes it a bit more difficult. I generally stay in Albergues (hostels) and most of those, especially the rural ones, provide breakfast. A lot do a pilgrim meal in the evening where everyone sits together and eats the same meal. I usually request vegetarian when booking the day before and that often means everyone gets vegetarian 😨because I usually book a small albergue.
during the day you have to watch your route carefully in advance and if there’s a long distance with no cafes you need to go to the supermarket the night before and pack up bread/cheese and fruit

That was going to be my question, as a fellow-vegetarian. What kind of veggie meals do the albergues provide when you’ve pre-ordered?

And, because I think I absolutely can’t do communal sleeping any more, do you think it would be possible to walk the route as you are doing while staying in places where I get a room to myself?

Very much enjoying your account!

I’ve found the food in the albergues to be excellent. Big salads or soup. Then paella or lentil casserole or chickpea casserole. Occasionally frittata and chips.
You can absolutely do it in single rooms. That’s often in small pensions though so may not have an evening meal. This can make it harder to find something easily without meat but even more, at the end of a long day when I haven’t another step in my legs, looking for somewhere to eat is the last thing I want to do so make sure they serve an evening meal if you’re like me😂😂

@Twodogsonthecouch I’ve only just seen this. You are amazing! I love your reason for doing it, you should be super proud of yourself.

My question, are you enjoying it? I know that it’s hard for a variety of reasons but are you enjoying it?

Oh, thank you, @Twodogsonthecouch — you’re very generous to reply so promptly, when I imagine you’re unwinding after a long days walk!

If I might ask another question… I know you’ve said you feel you hadn’t trained enough in advance. What would you advise someone walking your route to do beforehand? Just racking up longer walks? Hill work?

This is amazing OP! I’ll be following along in spirit and on here. What a fantastic adventure.

Tonight’s dinner, that’s stuffed aubergine