Greg's Wanderings

Tag: Hiking training

  • July 13 Simulation Hike

    July 13 Simulation Hike

    I hosted my second Camino Simulation hike on Sunday. This time, I had seven others join me. Despite the fact that the forecast called for high temperatures in the mid-nineties, everyone stuck it out until the end.

    This time the group consisted of an interesting mix of Camino experiences. Barbara & Richard are preparing for their third Camino and will be starting in La Puy, France and 500 miles to the traditional starting point in St. Jean. Diane had just returned from her Camino, but wanted to try out some new toe socks to see if they would alleviate the blisters she encountered on the trail. Still others in the group had yet to plan a Camino, but just wanted to see if they could hike 15 miles.

    Fortunately, we had shade for most of our walk. We took two extended breaks to hydrate and eat. The first in a coffee shop in Sellwood and the second in Hamilton Park along the Terwilliger Parkway. Altogether, we completed the 14.7 miles in less than six hours, included 4 hours and 40 minutes of actual moving time. That worked out to a pace of 3.1 miles per hour.

    My Camino Simulation crew crossing over the Sellwood Bridge.
  • Camino Simulation – June 29

    Camino Simulation – June 29

    I needed to start working in some longer hikes that were roughly the same length as what I’ll need to average on the Camino. Since my pilgrimage will be through towns and villages, I decided that an in-city hike would best replicate a day-in-the-life on the Camino. Researching existing routes on the AllTrails app, I found a bike route that I have modified to include some off paved road sections and to incorporate the breaks I would likely include on the Camino.

    After two trial runs, I have now posted this as a MeetUp hike through the hiking group I belong to. I’ve cross-posted it to a local Facebook group of the Portlandia Chapter of the Camino Association of America.

    My first group hike only had two participants, but we had a lovely time. Like me, Carlos was preparing for his first Camino. He was going to start in Porto and would be hiking with his 77 year old mother. Robin, was the Camino veteran of the group. She was preparing for her fifth and sixth Caminos, which she was going to do back-to-back. First, she was also going to do the Portuguese from Porto with her daughter. Once complete, she was going to do the Ingles route solo.

    Robin is hiking 70 half marathons in 70 weeks before her 70th birthday in December. Carlos and I were part of #60.

    Hiking with these two provided a great opportunity to share tips and discuss equipment selection. Coincidentally, all three of us were doing the Portuguese route at roughly the same time.

    The hike was a success and I’ve now scheduled three more events. This coming Sunday, I have 10 people registered to attend. We’ll see how the forecasted high temperature of 90+ affects turn-out.