Preparations

Diet AND Exercise! YIKES!

My preparations began in May 2014 with another diet; gradually, and with great effort, losing 60+ pounds. I now am a little lighter than I was at the end of the Camino in 2011 and am definitely in better condition than when I started the Camino. Young people can simply schedule a trip and walk the Camino; us old 'geezers' have to condition our bodies for walking 4 - 6 hours a day, over hills and mountains for seemingly endless days. The exercise regimen  began in earnest in August by  walking 6 miles three times a week. The distance has gradually increased to the current 9-11 miles, but still only three days a week.  To improve my overall strength and conditioning, in January I added a rowing machine for 45 minutes three days a week. Sunday is still a day of rest .... Yippee. The loaded pack (13 pounds) AND boots were added in February. It still surprises me how wearing boots will slow down the pace, and adding a weighted pack makes the walk more of an effort.

January 2015: 10 mile practice walk with a friend to the Marin Headlands, just north of San Francisco. Except for the ocean, the trail was much like what you experience on parts of the Camino.

My smaller size required new clothes .... another Yippee. However, shopping for super lightweight hiking shirts, pants, jackets and other gear is a bit of a chore. And the boots ..... always a challenge. The previous ones were totally worn out by the end of the walk, so never left Spain. Fortunately REI, North Face, and Sierra Trading Post have again come to the rescue and I appear to be fully outfitted with the requisite new items. Since I am expecting cold and probable bouts of heavy rain, I am taking layers of warm clothing, jacket, vest, gloves, rain jacket and poncho.

My Pilgrim Credencial (the official pilgrim "passport," necessary for staying in albergues and used to record stamps for proof of walking in order to receive the Compostela in Santiago) has been ordered and airline reservations made. I have hotel reservations for my 1st night in Madrid and the next in Roncesvalles. Listening to Spanish language tapes on my iPod as I walk in the mornings has been tuning my ear for an immersion into an area that doesn't speak much English. I will bring a small Spanish dictionary, so, as before, should be able to muddle along with my very limited language skills.  In just two short weeks my adventure will begin again!

1st Credencial, showing start date of August 18, 2011

Official Compostela dated October 2, 2011 with two full Credencials