Thank you so much for posting this! Like you, I have dodgy knees (meniscus tear) but that doesn't stop my desire for taking those incredible hikes. But when I think about it logistically, I simply can't. The fear of something happening in the middle of a 10+ km hike is very real. Last year, I did a lot of walking in Australia, (10,000-20,000 steps per day) mostly flat. When I arrived in Cape Hillsborough to hike to the lookout, my knees screamed "absolutely no" part way up and I needed to descend. It was less than 100m of uphill trail. For the next two weeks, I was in extreme pain. It turns out, the extra effort on my knees gave me tendinitis, and possibly when the knee tear occurred. So now, flat trails, limited distance and good weather are where I seek. Although I would love to do the Portuguese Camino, I don't trust my knees to carry me through. Getting old is no fun!
Knees are a bugger Laura. Very debilitating when they go. Plenty of flatter hikes around the world though. I’ll let you know the ones I find as I’m looking for them! 😂
Thanks. My days of scaling uphill trails are long gone. And yet, some of the old cobblestone cities, I will find a way to manage. And feel it later.🤣At least pain killers are available, if necessary.
Regarding the boots… as a massage therapist, I generally recommend against them. First off, they restrict your foot too much, which can actually cause more problems with the joints above the foot, and they can take a lot longer to dry out if they get wet… and even the waterproof ones can get wet. I generally recommend that people get their feet stronger ( check out http://www.thefootcollective.com they have lots of exercises and information about how to get your feet healthy… you are the foundation for everything you do, but sadly, so many people don't pay much attention to them until they are a problem) and then go to good pair of trail shoes or even better, a bare foot style shoe with a nice wide toe box. Another good resource for shoes is http://www.anyasreviews.com she covers all the different footwear for hikers and active people.
Modern shoes act like a soft cast on your feet, which makes them weak. And then you start having problems above in the knees and hips. So the more you can do to rehabilitate your feet, the better!
But it does sound like you had an awesome trip! If you want to start training for another walk, I would look at the Portuguese Camino for your first one. The first portion is largely on boardwalks, and cobblestones, and old roman roads. There are a few steep days, but you're a good week in when that starts. And add the spiritual variant…it's a walk that you don't want to miss🚶♀️🚶♀️🚶♀️
Looks lovely, but glad you stayed off that hanging rock!
Thanks Michael, I was tempted for a minute….😂
Thank you so much for posting this! Like you, I have dodgy knees (meniscus tear) but that doesn't stop my desire for taking those incredible hikes. But when I think about it logistically, I simply can't. The fear of something happening in the middle of a 10+ km hike is very real. Last year, I did a lot of walking in Australia, (10,000-20,000 steps per day) mostly flat. When I arrived in Cape Hillsborough to hike to the lookout, my knees screamed "absolutely no" part way up and I needed to descend. It was less than 100m of uphill trail. For the next two weeks, I was in extreme pain. It turns out, the extra effort on my knees gave me tendinitis, and possibly when the knee tear occurred. So now, flat trails, limited distance and good weather are where I seek. Although I would love to do the Portuguese Camino, I don't trust my knees to carry me through. Getting old is no fun!
Knees are a bugger Laura. Very debilitating when they go. Plenty of flatter hikes around the world though. I’ll let you know the ones I find as I’m looking for them! 😂
Thanks. My days of scaling uphill trails are long gone. And yet, some of the old cobblestone cities, I will find a way to manage. And feel it later.🤣At least pain killers are available, if necessary.
Well done you 💪 Sounds like an awesome experience. Wets my appetite to look for an adventure. Thank you 🙏🌷🌷
Thanks for reading! Yep, we’re looking for our next one now! Love an adventure. 💪🎒😁
Oh, I'll never be able to persuade my wife to go on such a trip! She stubbornly refuses! I'm so sorry...
Take her to the beautiful town of Lencois where she can relax for a few days while you hike. It’s almost what we did until my FOMO kicked in! 😂
Oh you give me hope. Especially on those downhill slopes and not so happy knees!!
If I can do it anyone can Theresa! 😂
Well done Jo! Good rule to remember, what goes up, must come down.
Getting fit and staying fit is so important. I can usually keep up with the 30 somethings, and luckily my knees are still good.
Yep you look fit Linda. Me less so. Got some work to do! 💪
One step at a time!
Regarding the boots… as a massage therapist, I generally recommend against them. First off, they restrict your foot too much, which can actually cause more problems with the joints above the foot, and they can take a lot longer to dry out if they get wet… and even the waterproof ones can get wet. I generally recommend that people get their feet stronger ( check out http://www.thefootcollective.com they have lots of exercises and information about how to get your feet healthy… you are the foundation for everything you do, but sadly, so many people don't pay much attention to them until they are a problem) and then go to good pair of trail shoes or even better, a bare foot style shoe with a nice wide toe box. Another good resource for shoes is http://www.anyasreviews.com she covers all the different footwear for hikers and active people.
Modern shoes act like a soft cast on your feet, which makes them weak. And then you start having problems above in the knees and hips. So the more you can do to rehabilitate your feet, the better!
But it does sound like you had an awesome trip! If you want to start training for another walk, I would look at the Portuguese Camino for your first one. The first portion is largely on boardwalks, and cobblestones, and old roman roads. There are a few steep days, but you're a good week in when that starts. And add the spiritual variant…it's a walk that you don't want to miss🚶♀️🚶♀️🚶♀️