Tools for training

What tools do I need to help me to accomplish my training goals?

First, the goals, for me, need to be concrete and achievable. 100 kms per week is a challenge most weeks, and I achieve it most weeks. I track my steps with a LifeTrak watch. It records my step, calorie burn and distance each day, then charts them for the week. Many people who walk with me use a Fitbit, and the info is on your wrist and in your computer, but as I don't have internet access at home, that wouldn't be an advantage for me. My watch was a gift from my daughter and went on my last Camino with me. I am very satisfied with the way it monitors my walking.

I lead walks, so there is incentive for me to be out there 3 times a week, with a plan ( and snacks for everybody). Being accountable to others help me get out of bed every morning. I'll blog later with some snack recipes, and also another blog post on my favourite walks here in Toronto. I don't have a car, so I go everywhere on foot or transit, and occasionally in a shared ride. The way I see it, if I have the time to walk to a destination, then I don't see taking transit ( and thus I save money towards the next Camino). I also can read and walk, so when I have a great book to read, I am happy to walk and read outside.

Since I don't have a back seat to toss items into, I carry a backpack everywhere. I have food, water, reading material, my wallet, my to-do list, and sometimes maps and miscellaneous other items. It often weighs 10 pounds ( and more, as I shop for groceries most days), so when I put on my Camino backpack, I am used to the weight. I use a MEC daypack.
It looks like this one. I like them with a flat bottom so they don't fall over when I set them down.

 

I have lots of coats ( the benefits of thrifting, mostly) but the ones I wear the most are waterproof and lined with fleece. It is easy to layer underneath, so that I can wear the same coat if it is raining, snowing, sleeting, or sunny and 10' or lower. I don't often wear my down jacket, as it isn't warm when wet. I do have a down vest, and I love it for layering. I have the weather channel on mute most mornings, so I can decide how many layers to wear under my coat.

I only wear Keen Shoes. I go through 2 pairs a year - one pair of sandals, which I wear as long as possible, even with socks (gasp!), and another pair of shoes for cooler weather. This is what the shoes look like. I wear a men's size 43, as my feet are very wide ( partly thanks to all the walking) and also thanks to genetics. I wear them a size larger that I might if I weren't doing all this walking, allowing room for swelling and sweating and merino socks.


 This is the sandal I wear, and these are the two shoes I take on the Camino. The sandal is heavier than clogs or flip flops, which are popular with pilgrims, but I am able to wear these on the trail, with socks, if I need a change from the heavier shoes. I also can wear them into the shower room, but I go into the shower itself in bare feet.

Using poles while walking in Toronto is a good idea. They take some of the weight off your feet, knees and hips, and give the upper body a bit of a workout. Mine are missing right now, or I would be using them, and I might not have slipped and fallen in the mud on Friday!


Here's a picture from 2 years ago, as I was training for my 2014 Camino - so far we have had no snow in Toronto! Thanks for the picture, Julie.





Buen Camino!

How to stay cool and warm and dry on the Camino

Day 28, Fonfria to San Mamede 25 km

Today´s blog subject came up for me as we walked home last night in the snow. This morning there was snow along the trail, and the trees on the mountain looked frosted. So it has been cold enough to snow, and hot enough to blister my ears.
This information applies mostly to women, whose body temperature I understand. Today Paddy walked in shorts, and John in a t shirt. I needed more.

I like merino wool. It is light, dries quickly, wicks well and doesn´t leave me feeling clammy, as technical clothing does. It doesn´t hold body odor, as it has natural antibacterial qualities, and can be worn several days in a row without washing.

Let´s start at the bottom. I wear merino socks - I like Keen, as they are marked left and right, and so the fit is great.
I wear Keen shoes. They are waterproof in snow, sleet, rain mud and water, as long as it doesn´t wash over the top.
I sleep in part merino leggings, and if it is cold in the morning, I leave them on under my pants. I have 2 pair: a nylon pair that has bottoms that zip off. This is great for really hot days, and I can just wash the dusty or muddy bottoms and they dry quickly. For colder or wet weather I wear an old pair of MEC water resistant pants. I find that the waterproof ones don´t breathe. These pants work well, and if the rain lets up, they dry in the wind.
I would like some merino underwear, but meanwhile I am wearing light cotton and bamboo Elita underwear.
For tops, I have 2 short sleeved and 2 long sleeved merino. I shower and put on the one I will wear for the next 24 hours; I sleep in it, and don´t have to change in the morning.
I would like a merino tank top for very hot days, as the one I brought is cotton, and too heavy when wet.
I have a light long sleeved shirt for sun protection and a bit of warmth in the evening, but it is polyester, and I want to replace it.
My hoodie is a fleece merino. I love it, and last night it was so cold I slept in it.
On top for cold and rain, I wear a waterproof light jacket from MEC, with armpit zippers if it is hot. It is perfect.
I was wearing a baseball type cap - hence the blistered ears. I got an ugly big cotton hat which shades my neck and ears.
I have several scarves which keep my neck warm when it is cool, and buff for the cold.
So I am prepared for all weathers.

This is what the views looked like today.

A Packing List to celebrate 6000 hits!

My blog has had 6000 views in it's short life. I had no idea when I began it, that it would be so much fun, and such a great way to spread the word about the benefits of walking and the Camino.
Thank you for reading, and commenting. I am hoping that you will sign up for regular posts, and comment, especially while I am on the Camino - I know I really appreciated the thought that someone was following my story, and so I felt connected to home.

I am assembling my backpack, though there is still almost 4 weeks until we leave. Actually, what to take is a
perennial topic of conversation on the walks with pilgrims.
Can we do carry-on only?
That is my plan.
Should we put our poles in our packs, and can we carry them on?
Apparently that is allowed on Air France, the airline we are using.
How many pairs of underwear?
3 pair - I auditioned them, and chose the 3 pair that dried the fastest.
Snacks, and gluten-free food?
I will take some oatmeal for breakfasts, and some rice cakes for the first few days. I was able to buy them in the larger towns in Spain.And maybe some of my delicious raw balls.
Merino or technical?
Merino exclusively, except for the underwear that passed the test - well worn cotton.

Here is the clothing I will take:
2 pr short sleeved merino t shirts - I will sleep in one, and wear it for the day as a base layer
2 pr long sleeved merino shirts - I will likely wear one over my other shirt most mornings
1 3/4 sleeve merino shirt for the evenings
1 long sleeved merino hoodie
1 waterproof jacket with pit zips
1 pair nylon hiking pants with zip off bottoms
1 pair water and wind resistant long pants
1 pair of part merino leggings, for sleeping in, and cool mornings
3 pair underwear, 2 bras
1 or 2 scarves
1 baseball cap
1 buff - great for cool mornings, and to keep the sun off my neck

1 down sleeping bag, 750 grams, borrowed from my son-in-law Michael
1 silk liner - inside the sleeping bag for cold nights, and alone for hot nights

I have still to decide on the toiletries and first aid elements, though I know how much face cream I will need. Most of these items can be purchased in Spain, so I take the bare minimum - one or 2 bandaids, and a small tube of toothpaste. Don't forget the vaseline - to lubricate my feet and toes every morning as a blister preventative.

A camera and battery charger, but no other devices - public internet computers are widely available for blogging and staying in touch.

So, readers, what do you think? Am I well prepared? Any questions, or topics you would like to hear more about?
Comments are appreciated.

Buen Camino