Training Run/Walk

Just back from 14.6 mile (23.5km) training walk. A local one, so a bit flat, but enjoyable all the same. Both our new boots seem to be shaping up OK, although we're both feeling the increased weight of the boots towards the end of the walk.

Heather discovered while reading a book or forum or something, that part of the training was knowing when to take on calories to keep ones energy levels at the optimum. We decided therefore, that we needed to practice that too. I might shortly practice drinking a gin & tonic as well!

First Booking..... and it's only August!!

We've pretty much decided that we are going to travel to t he beginning of our Camino by train. Southport - London
London - Paris
Paris - Irun (N. Spain)
Irun - Logrono or Burgos
So last night I was looking at hotels near the Gare Montparnasse in Paris as we will overnight there before catching the TGV. Imagine my shock when I found that only 2 of the hotels near the station had vacancies for the night we need!!! So I've booked it.

Heather got new boots last weekend, so we are now both kitted out with Meindl boots. Cotswold in Preston were a great help, measuring feet and giving us loads of advice. Can't recommend them too highly. My boots (also from Cotswold) got their first serious workout the weekend before last and feel great. They actually feel better when walking than when standing still which is odd!

Hoping to get out locally this weekend. We have a nice 14 mile circular walk in mind which has several pubs and at least one tea shop on the route

P.S. If any member of the Eccleston branch of the family is reading this, could you tell my grandson that I managed to hard boil 2 eggs today without burning them!

In the beginning........

Having talked about it for months, seemingly, Heather and I have committed ourselves to doing a large portion (NOT all!) of El Camino de Santiago de Compostela in May next year. The exact starting point is still to be decided but, if we start in Burgos, which is the furthest point along the route from which we might start, the walk will be a mere 304.7 miles!!!! We have just over 4 weeks to do it.Why? You may well ask.

• A spiritual challenge 
• A physical challenge
• A chance to step out of normality
• A nice walk
• Or, according to Joos from Amsterdam, a radical weight loss regime

The blog will follow the trials and tribulations of preparation, training (Ha!) and the actual walk, as well as taking in anything else that I feel like commenting on.

If you feel like commenting or encouraging, please do. Try not to be too critical or insulting and hopefully we will all get through this together.

Peter