Prior to my Camino, I did a lot of training hikes on the weekends. I also tried to increase the distance of my daily walks to an average of five to six miles per day. But none of this could compare to the real challenge you face when on the Camino, that is, walking twelve-plus miles per day for several consecutive days.

The week before I left for Portugal, I walked to work three days in a row. It gave me a chance to test all my Camino gear and a new pair of insoles for my boots as well as to see up close places that I don’t get to see when I commute on a highway. With the help of Google Maps, I found a safe, walkable path, which turned out to be five miles long each way—only a mile longer than my car drive to work. On those three days, I walked alongside the peaceful Lake Temescal and took the time to smell the flowers.

Below there are a few photos from my walks to work.

A beautiful foggy morning

Walking along Lake Temescal

Lake Temescal North Entrance

Occasional detours, just like on the Camino

I took the time to smell the roses!

It was nice to walk under the highway instead of driving in the traffic.

My nephew played baseball here.

Angels trumpets and birds of paradise

Cock-a-doodle-doo! You’ve got mail!

Whew! That was close. I feel so much safer now. LOL!

On foot you can enter!

The beautiful Claremont resort

Amphora Olive Oil shop is one of my favorites.

Selfie with the bear statue. Go Bears!

Note to self: I should bike to work sometime!

The fishermen and I were the only people on the lake trail.

The creek leading to Lake Temescal

Smitten Ice Cream

Arrival to work on day 1

Victory!

Lauren, another Hispanophile, spotted me in the ladies’ room before I changed into my work clothes.

We can do it! Sí se puede!

Later that day with Morgan Randall, the amazingly talented math major

He drew our roomie portrait, just like he did for the six hundred residents of I-House!

I burned a lot of calories, so I felt no guilt when we had a birthday celebration.

I used the MapMyHike app to track my walk.

I also walked at lunchtime, so my total on day 2 was 12.8 miles, an average distance covered in a day on the Camino.

I tested different toe socks, and I didn’t like them. So on the Camino, I brought with me three pairs of Merino wool socks instead.

One of the great planning tips Nancy Reynolds shares in her Camino Experience presentation is to venture on multiday walks. I, too, highly recommend that you do that. If, however, such trips are not logistically feasible for you, think outside of the box and seek every opportunity to walk as much as possible in your daily routine. You could, for example, try traveling part of a distance to, say, work or gym by car or bus and covering the remainder on foot. This extra training will not only help you condition your body to avoid various injuries when on the Camino, but it will also enable you to test your endurance and your gear.

Soon I will share my tried-and-true blister prevention solution. Until then, keep training.

Buen Camino!

Victory!