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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Heather,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I recently returned from walking St. Jean to
Santiago, and talked with lots of pilgrims on the way about their personal
training before starting. Most of them did the following:
walk lots around home (anywhere from 1-5 miles per day average) and on
hilly terrain if possible, with backpack and hiking shoes. Breaking in the
shoes is the most important thing, in my opinion.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Some of those who did extraordinary training; i.e.,
swimming, running, biking, weight-training, fared no better (and sometimes
worse) than those of us who just practiced common sense. Take your time,
take care of your feet, don't carry more than 15 lbs., and expect that the first
week will get you in shape for the remainder of the Camino.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>By the way, like myself, about half of those I
encountered were in the 50+ age group and fared quite well!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Buen Camino,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Edie from California</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>---- Original Message ----- </DIV>
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<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=Rehtaeh05aCS.COM href="mailto:Rehtaeh05aCS.COM">Heather Lemley</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu
href="mailto:GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu">GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, July 02, 2001 1:10 PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> preparation</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT size=2>I noticed that most
guides recommend that you should start to practice <BR>walking months ahead of
time. However I know of some people who hardly <BR>practiced walking at
all. To those of you who have made the trip: Do you <BR>think it
is absolutely necessary to start months ahead of time. What were
<BR>your experiences? I'm about to leave and I probably haven't done as
much <BR>walking as I should have although I am young and in good physical
condition.
<BR>
<BR>Thanks,
<BR>
<BR>Heather</FONT> </FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>