Walked Today: 7.04 mi Cummulative: 7.04 mi
This morning we unofficially began Camino 2022, walking from our Hotel in Pamplona to Zariquiegui. Though still in transition mode, today we logged some miles over a variety of terrain, at near our targeted 7.5 miles/day pace with less than full backpacks.
We’ll be heading to SJPDP, France tomorrow, via bus to begin the actual first stage of the Camino Frances the following day. When we pass thru Pamplona, several days later, we’ll get a taxi from Pamplona to Zariquiegui, and begin walking where we finished today.
Today’s 7.0+ mile walk was nearly twice the longest distance we’ve walked during our training, which began in early July. The elevation gain over the 7 miles was over 800 feet… over 8 times the typical elevation gain during our training. Our pace was about 6 minutes/ mile slower than our average training pace.
Since we were not overly tired when we finished the walk today, we are feeling pretty good about our strength and stamina at this point. And our fitness level should improve, gradually, as we continue our paced approach over the difficult terrain we’ll face in the next 4-5 days, crossing the Pyranees Mts from France into Spain.
We rewarded ourselves with a delicious lunch at Cafe Iruna, located on the Plaza del Castillo, just a few blocks from our Hotel and located in the center of the medieval fortress of Pamplona and along the Camino de Santiago.
Jimandi 