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 🤯

@BishyBarnyBee all good thanks. Feet are finally pretty much better. Have been able to increase my distance a little although I’m still very cautious and staying around 20km daily. It’s very flat at the moment which helps so I’m going to get a few extra miles under my belt before it gets hilly again.
The weather has been much colder. Freezing in the morning and around 13 degrees in the afternoon. It rained yesterday which, combined with wind and cold made for a grim afternoon but overall going very well.
it is interesting how it is so predictable… I am meeting up with people from earlier on now again and regularly get hugs when I bump into people in Albergue’s that I met earlier on. Everyone I meet asks after my feet!! I’m due to pass the official half way mark tomorrow afternoon. I can’t believe I have actually made it this far. I’ll keep updating if people are interested.

A few more

Good to hear your feet are becoming accustomed to the long walking @Twodogsonthecouch . I'm surprised that it's so cold there. But you wouldn't want to be walking in extreme heat.

Please carry on updating - I think you are amazing!

I'd love to do a Camino - watching with interest! I've done some sections in Portugal and Spain.

One thing I couldn't do though is share a dorm with a load of snorey blokes 😂

Brilliant well done

@upinclouds it can be challenging 😂. I use earplugs and find they work well. I’m also very tired!
I like the atmosphere in the Albergues so overall prefer them. The occasional private room is nice though

Twodogsonthecouch I read your initial post and then lost it, I've just read all of your updates and am so glad you're doing so well!
Really inspired by your travels - thanks for writing and showing us your photos ♥️

20k days sounds amazing! And it's great that your feet are better. If you are half way, are you feeling much more confident or is it still daunting to have as far to go as you have done already?

I feel like you got here quicker than you thought you would? Have you had rest days at all or have you pretty much walked every day?

Please do keep posting, I think lots of us are doing a bit of vicarious living through your trip!

Glad you are enjoying the camino 😊

Thank you for the update. I've been thinking of you while I'm out walking, mine is only for 90 minutes and without carrying a pack. There's no way I'm fit enough to even think about what you're doing.

Im loving your updates too, so please keep posting. You're doing brilliantly!

Quick post just to mark officially reaching the halfway mark. Every km now means fewer to do than I have already done 🎉🎉

Hi, I lost the thread - literally - lovely to read about your journey.

🎤Woaaaahhhhh.....we're half way there....🎤

So exciting. You are inspiring even me - that is saying something.

That's fantastic news

Fab photos. You are smashing it!

Love this - well done:)

Still so inspired! You are a-ma-zing.

I dunno, that would put me off the walk to be honest, at the prospect of spending time with annoying people and idiots making "boomer" comments!

I understand the concern about proximity to annoying people but in my 6 day experience people weren't annoying. Just interesting. And I say that as an easily annoyed person. There's something about the walking that relaxes us all. Well done OP. Brilliant work.

💪🏻 amazing, well done,

You’ll be over half way now and it’s lovely to catch up on your journey. Congratulations on the halfway milestone!

I hope all is going well, I've so enjoyed reading!

Just discovered this thread, it's so lovely to read! Well done OP how inspiring! Hope I will be able to do something like this one day

I've just discovered your thread and absolutely love what you are doing. I'd really like to walk the Camino so will follow your adventure with great interest. Have an amazing time.

What a fabulous thread- I've just found it and binged all the posts. Massive well done for your journey so far, it sounds a wonderful experience