For a couple of weeks, since I achieved the pilgrimage, I have been thinking how to write about it and make it a nice read for you. And I opted to do it with a couple of selected pictures and tell you anecdotes, share some nice stories, some facts, reason why we want to do a pilgrimage, how to prepare, and what to pack for this special journey. This is only my humble experience as a pilgrim, and it’s combined with endurance sport and achievements, as I am an experienced ultra long-distance runner. Kindly ask if you have any questions, or if you simply want to add something, especially if it is from your own experience. Hope you're going to enjoy the reading, so feel free to comment and share. Thank you!
The Camino Francés, or French Way, is the most popular route. It is also known as the most common starting point on the Camino Francés in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, on the French side of the Pyrenees. Starting from France in the department of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and crossing the autonomous communities of Spain Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y León and Galicia for about 800 km (500 mi).
THE REASONS WHY
A sentimental reason: My dear father Fernando was born in León. Unfortunately, he left too early, and I didn't have the time to get to know him. But all I hear from his siblings, is that he was a hero. He always cared for the others and was generous. He worked hard. He had a big heart. I didn't even had time to name him. What would I have called him when I was a child? He had 4 brothers and 4 sisters and was the first one. He's also the only one who passed away. As a child, I couldn't hear talking about him and would only cry. Nowadays, and since a couple of years already, I always ask about him, to everybody who knew him, and I want to know more. These moments are now always beautiful. It has been 48 years already. My brother Tony lived only 19 years and at least I got to live some great moments with him and keep dear memories. As I visited my family on the way to Santiago, I showed them the picture and mentioned that Tony and Fernando were constantly with me. This Camino is dedicated to them.
A healthy reason: My sport is running. Trail running, not asphalt. And especially the longer efforts, preferably in the mountains, and ultra long-distances. The format of the route was ideal for me, long and hilly. Preparation has been key to achieve it, and I trained the same a sone would do for a 100 miles race (160 km). I usually train for 12 weeks, but this time I had only 8-10 weeks to prepare. Training went well, and I felt totally ready before starting. My first goal was to complete the Camino Francés (800km-500miles). And if I would have time and my body allows me to continue, I would do at least the Camino Fisterra (90km-55miles) and finally the Camino Muxía (30km-19miles). My time on the way was also limited, due to my own vacation. Running was also my best option to complete it in a reasonable time.
A personal reason: This one didn't reveal anything new. But it confirmed a couple of things about my life, or better said, the way I live my life and go through things in general. On my way to Santiago, I reflected and said to myself: "The Camino De Santiago pilgrimage is the mirror of life, some days are better then others, and every day has to be lived". In my life, I don't look back, and I always take responsibility of my decisions and actions. I am fast in making decisions, they might be good or bad, but they are my decisions, and I assume them. I never put myself as a victim. What really matters is not what happened to me, but it's how I am going to handle it. The Spanish coach Manolo Preciado once said the following sentence, and I couldn't agree more with him.
"Life has hit me hard, I could have weakened and ended up shooting myself or I could look to the heavens and carry on. I preferred the second option." - Manuel Preciado
NUTRITION
My only plan was to eat as much as I can and whenever I want, but always before feeling hungry. I ate plenty of bocadillos, montaditos, tapas, tortillas, pulpo a la gallega, meat, fish, fruits and so on, MIAM! Navarra region was probably the best in terms of selection, flavours and quality. That is the beauty of Spain! The food can be completely different when you are in another autonomous community. At first, I took some salt tablets, as the days were still warm, but after 5 days it changed, and I didn't need them anymore. I didn't eat a single gel and neither I drank electrolyte drinks. To me, they are useless for the endurance. For the sugar I drank a soda or some candies from the shop. Sorry, but there's no need to go for the expensive highly marketed "sport solutions"... A normal chocolate bar does the trick too! Natural fruits like bananas, mandarins, watermelon and grapes are fantastic! The first days that were warmer, I drank almost 10-12 litters. At the end, 3-5 litters were enough. I also allowed myself to drink beer and red wine. 1 or 2 glasses can still be considered as part of the hydration and can also help for a quicker muscular recovery.
PRO TIP: When you'll visit León, find the "Barrio Húmedo", close to the cathedral. The bars serve different tapas. Ask for "Un corto" at the bar and choose between beer, white or red wine. You'll get a different delicious tapas for free in every bar!
LONELY OR SOCIAL?
As I explained earlier, The Camino is the mirror of life. You might end up, or be trapped, in situations that you didn't expect, and you're most probably going to act the same as you act in your life. But you can also decide to change and learn to say "no" during your pilgrimage. Personally, I am a very social person. I somehow missed being with people and sharing some miles with them, as I was the only runner... But I enjoy the loneliness, especially when running.
People on the Camino tend to wake up early and do 1 stage per day, walking 20-25 kilometres (12-15 miles) and arrive at destination around noon. Then visit the places and churches, and hangout there. My days started between 06:00-08:00 and lasted for 8-11 hours, doing 2-3 stages per day. I met people in the morning, much less after lunch, and barely no one in the afternoon. The challenge also became that there was no space for me in the Albergues, and I had to go to the hotel. A good trick is to stop before or after the recommended stages, which are much less crowded. One night, I had an Albergue only for me, totally empty, for 8€!
Here's an interesting article that I wrote in 2020 on Strava, « Mindful Running », running in full awareness, where I explain how I mentally connect with my body while running.
MATERIAL
If you ask yourself what you need to take with you on the pilgrimage, it maybe means that you are not ready. You should be able to make a clear list of what you need or might need. Go for a 3 to 5 days hike in your region and you will notice immediately what is necessary and what is not! A lot of pilgrims go there, totally unprepared. Too much weight in the backpack, too heavy shoes, too many clothes, and so on. My backpack was 4-5 kilograms maximum, including 1 litter of water and food. I only had the necessary stuff and the emergency kit. With all my humility, I can solely brag, that the only thing I didn't use, was my emergency kit! I did laundry every 2-3 days and sometimes reused things. Yes, I am lucky that I don't sweat a lot, and, to my knowledge, I don't smell too bad either.
One of the biggest mistakes that I have seen is regarding the shoes. Pilgrims walk with hiking shoes... and after 3-5 days they eventually buy new ones, and finally end up in sandals! There's something in between and it's called sneakers. They are light weight, breathable and protect your feet instead of hurting them. Buy them 1 size bigger and use them for a couple of hundred kilometres before. If they still hurt, change brand.
"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation." - Arthur Ashe
THE WEATHER
The weather can obviously be anything. I haven't been there during other seasons, but I guess that autumn is a good moment for the pilgrimage. Way more pleasant temperatures than in the summer, and still warm enough not to carry too many clothes. Much less people too, and more space in the Albergues.
I would say that the temperatures have been from 12 to 25 degrees Celsius during the 2 first weeks of October. It rained two days when crossing "la Meseta Central" and drizzled almost everyday in Galicia, but that was nice.
That day, we've got hit by the storm and the hurricane named Kirk. Winds of 60-80 kilometres per hour, fallen trees and face winds! We've heard that the authorities were very close to deny access to the pilgrims and recommend them to stay inside. That day was the only day that I didn't run. I walked and I was glad to share the day with a lovely French couple. I felt safer not to be alone out there. This was my most social day after all!
Castrillo Matajudíos, October the 8th 2024 - I never look back in my life, but that day I did. I was climbing up the hill and as I reach the top, I see a group of 4 pilgrims leaving. I look back, the scenary looks dramatic. The storm starts and I find shelter. I'm crying all the tears in my body during 15-20 minutes. When I stop, the storm is over. Fernando and Tony have been watching me, I could feel the presence and protection, and my body is covered in goosebumps
KNOW YOURSELF
This Argentinian dude is a legend, and he was on his 12th Camino and he already fought and won 2 cancers! 9 times the complete Camino Francés and 2 times the Camino Portuguese. He put me at my place and my feeling was like, I am nothing! So inspiring person
I honestly thought that my pilgrimage would be much more difficult, especially the fact that I needed to start again every day. But my body responded perfectly to the effort. Especially when I lowered the number of kilometres per day. 50-55 daily kilometres was the appropriate number for my mind and my body. I didn't have a single blister. I had 1 black nail, due to the descent to Zubiri on the first day and the slippery trails. But a black nail is nothing, and only hurts a bit for 2 days. I didn't have stomach issues. No cramps at all. And the muscles regenerated during the night, I would say at 90%. My mind didn't play me any trick. Not a day that I felt like "I won’t do that anymore". For me, the 100 miles races are much more difficult than that. Going to sleep every night. Rest. Eat. Take a shower. And start with fresh clothes is a big advantage. I would have liked to suffer a bit. Pilgrimage. Penance!
The extraordinary lies in the path of ordinary people. - Paulo Coelho
"A MI MANERA"
A pilgrimage is a very, very personal experience. Do it the way you like, at your own pace, go alone or with someone. Learn to say "No". Be authentic and grateful. Have a goal, a purpose to do it. Enjoy every second, every step, every kilometre. Be present, mindful. Smile, cry, talk, sing, dance, be in the moment. And remember, this is YOUR Camino, it reflects your life, your every day's life!
One day I'll be back on the Camino De Santiago, but I would rather do another route. Camino Ingles, Camino Del Norte, Camino Primitivo and Camino Portugues, are the next ones on the list!
Thank you for reading, I hope you liked it and don't hesitate to comment and share if you did! Your Guide - Dani
Want to see the day by day pictures and stories? Click here > Instagram resetholidays
Check Strava activities from October 3rd to October 19th 2024 https://www.strava.com/athletes/24054128
LIST OF MATERIAL USED DURING MY CAMINO
Backpack Montane Gecko 40 liters
Rain cover
Black Diamond Carbon Z sticks 130cm
Shoes Altra Escalante 4
3 T-shirt Puma dry fit
3 x technical underwear
3 x socks Green go
2 x shorts Compressport + Millet
10000 schmerbers water proof vest + pants Evadict
Long pants Kalenji
Garmin Fenix 6x sapphire + cable
Headband Ultraks
Bob Salomon
2 x flasks 0.5L
Brush
Tooth brush
Tooth paste
Floss
Space blanket emergency
NOK anti-schaffing cream
Plasters Molnlycke
Compeed
Karmex lip balm
Ibuprofen
Paracetamol
Eye drops
Anti-histamine
Bandage
Iphone + cable
Headlamp Lumonite + spare battery + cable
Power bank + cable
Rain poncho
Umbrella
Crocs
Eyeglasses
Mini grips
Liquid soap 100ml
Sea to summit towel
Light gloves
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