What do you do when…

I read a very interesting discussion on the pilgrim forum today, originally instigated by my blogging (and Camino Mozárabe) pal Clare. You can find her blog here.

The title is ‘What do you do when you cannot walk anymore?’ check it out here – it’s quite inspiring.

I only started walking for pleasure in 2013, in training for my first camino at the age of 59. During the intervening years of walking caminos and countless kms up and down mountains around my old home in Spain I have been amazed that my body would consistently do what I asked of it. And the more I asked, the more it would perform. But I’ve taken it for granted, and haven’t really thought at all about how I will deal with declining health as I grow older. I am hopeful that I won’t have any issues this year and for many years to come. The thing that is likely to stop me from walking caminos is not being able to fund them. Although it is a very frugal way to travel – the average daily spend being in the region of 30 euros – multiply that x 30+ and it becomes quite a commitment. But, I shall worry about those things when they occur and in the meantime enjoy every step and every sight and every moment spent with my wonderful camino pals.

About magwood

Trepidatious Traveller - camino blog is about preparing for and walking the Camino de Santiago. Many future pilgrims have found the blog useful and inspiring, and many who have no plans to walk the camino have simply enjoyed the dialogue http://www.magwood.me
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7 Responses to What do you do when…

  1. Ina Sinclair says:

    This is so good, what you have written here! I have not seen this as a contribution to the forum thread – why?- (the forum where I have been for several years now and where I came across you and all your most helpful contributions!)
    Buen caminos!
    Pelerine

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  2. jwm says:

    It is only a minor point, from a 74 yr old who still walks on a portion of the Camino for at least a week (some times more) every year.

    The phrase ‘Use it, but don’t abuse it’ is my guideline. My body tells me when I am over doing it. It starts talking back at about 20 km, with increasing volume if I keep going, or at about 5 hrs of walking (moving time). It likes a day off to rest every 5 days.

    I have always marveled at those (Hi Maggie! and your companions) that can do 25 km + in a day – day after day.

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    • Mary Leslie says:

      In the past I have walked for about four hours a day on the Camino. This time I am hoping to walk earlier in the year when it is cooler and maybe walk more than that. I am seventy five, and am not very fit.

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    • magwood says:

      I need to learn to listen more carefully to my body. I usually ignore it when it tells me to stop. And that’s how I ended up with a fractured hip!

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