Training to Walk the Camino

The Camino de Santiago is a walking pilgrimage that is best accomplished with some pre-trip training. Finding a happy medium between under training and overtraining is important. You don’t want to arrive and find that your hiking shoes or boots are uncomfortable or that you’ve packed clothing that isn’t best for heat, rain, or cold. You also don’t want to arrive feeling you have trained too hard and are tired when you begin. Pay attention to what your body needs for walking and you will be fine.

Becoming a pilgrim is part of the journey that begins before you leave your home.

Suggestions for walking include;

Start out slow, making sure that your footwear and clothing are what you need. Be sure to train in exactly what you will wear walking the Camino. If your shoes are going to cause blisters, you want to find this out before you are on the Camino trails.

Walk in all kinds of weather! You will know the basic weather and temperature for the time of year. you are walking. However, weather is unpredictable so be sure you are prepared to walk in whatever you encounter.

Be sure to train outside on different types of terrain; walk on paved roads, gravel, dirt paths and grassy areas. If you are doing some of your training on a treadmill or elliptical, be sure to step outside and notice how this will be different.

Try walking with hiking poles! Many pilgrims find these helpful if the day is rainy or the path is hilly. See if you can borrow these from a friend to try them out if you’re not sure if hiking poles will be good for you. If you purchase poles, make sure they will fold into your luggage. You won’t be able to carry them onto the plane unless they fold small into a carry-on bag and have a rubber tip. Be aware that sometimes hiking poles are not allowed through airport security.

Once you are comfortable with the start of your training, Increase your distance and your walking speed. If you have been walking 4 miles, increase to 5, then 6 and continue adding time. One of the challenges of the Camino is to walk one day, then the next, and the next… At home we may not have the ability to train as long or as frequently. If you can walk 7-8 miles one day and repeat comfortably the next day, you are well-prepared.

The Camino distances range from 8-15 miles. Think about your walking pace. If you can walk 2 miles per hour, you can complete even a longer distance in the course of an 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. day with a lunch break and a rest break now and then. The Camino de Santiago is not a marathon or a mini-marathon; there is no rush to arrive at your destination on any of our days.

What if your body isn’t up for a 15 miles day? What if you find that you need more time to rest or recover from walking on one of the days? Pilgrims can easily ask for a taxi to transport them for a full day or half day from one place to another. It’s possible to “boost” forward to the lunch spot to meet up with the group or on to the hotel for a day.

Know that a pilgrimage is not only about the physical journey. Pay attention to the spiritual journey as well. It is just as important to be aware and ready spiritually as it is to be trained physically. Think about what will be your best way to prepare for the Camino de Santiago. It is your pilgrimage after all and doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s journey.

Buen Camino!