I really thought I had prepared my feet quite well for the last Camino. I went to the podiatrist and became the proud owner of a brand new pair of orthotics. I walked with my backpack everyday for 100 days and I thought my boots and orthotics were well and truly ready for the adventures ahead. And just in case, I was well stocked with hikers wool, various types of blister pads and wrapping tape. Camino here I come!

Mistake number 1! Yes,  I did walk every day for 100 days, the trouble is I only walked on an average 5 – 10 kms, with a couple of 15 km walks. What I didn’t do was walk at least two or three 20 – 25km walks to see what my feet were like at the end of a typical Camino day. That is a way different story! My orthotics were just over half the length of my feet  and quite rough on the edges, so by the time I had done a couple of days these edges were rubbing my feet and causing blisters.

Mistake number 2! Instead of stopping and doing something about it straight away I soldiered on, causing the blisters to get bigger and my posture and walk change to accommodate the pain. Which in turn made my legs and hips quite sore.

Mistake number 3!  I didn’t make sure I was wearing my backpack properly right from the beginning, and this also caused problems with my walking, hips, legs, posture, you name it!

All of which landed me in the local medical centres on a couple of occasions. I do have some very graphic photos of my feet but I don’t want to gross you all out.

 

So here are my tips for keeping your feet healthy on a long distance trek

• Make sure you buy your boots in plenty of time and have them well fitted

• Have your backpack fitted by someone who knows what they are talking about e.g. someone like Pam Lynch from Main Peak in Perth who has actually done some trekking.

  

• Do some long walks so you know what a day’s walk is going to feel like
• If you get a hot spot on your feet while trekking …..STOP!! RIGHT NOW!! NOT AT THE NEXT VILLAGE!! STOP RIGHT NOW!! And do something about it, blister pads, tape, hikers wool ……something!