I Don't Rush The Camino--And You Don't Have to Either
Walking far isn't the same as walking fast
Let me address the elephant in the room:
"Can I really walk that far?"
If this has crossed your mind, you’re not alone.
It’s one of the most common concerns I hear—especially from folks over 45 who haven’t done something like the Camino de Santiago before.
And honestly? It’s a fair question.
Walking 8 to 13 miles a day does sound like a lot—
if you imagine doing it all in one go, power-walking down some endless trail.
But the Camino isn’t a race.
And it’s certainly not a dawn-until-dusk march.
I don’t even start walking until I can see where I’m going.
In October, that means sometime after 8am—when the first light rises.
While some early birds head out with headlamps before sunrise, I wait.
Because for me, one of the gifts of the Camino is seeing it.
Not just passing through, but noticing.
And I take my time.
If you do the math on my mileage and hours, it may look like I walk just 2 miles per hour.
But I’m not moving slow—
I’m walking at my own pace.
That includes:
Stopping at a local bar for coffee and tortilla
Taking photos of the fading hydrangeas
Lingering longer than most, trying to get the shot just right
Stopping to chat with a local woman cutting her lawn with a tool that’s older than she is
Spending 45 minutes laughing over a second café con leche with fellow pilgrims—even if I still have a few miles left
On my most recent Camino—scouting the very path I’ll walk with a small group this October—a fellow pilgrim shared a phrase I haven’t been able to stop thinking about:
Camina como un viejo para llegar como un joven.
Walk like an old person to arrive like a young one.
It made me smile—because it's true.
When you pace yourself,
when you slow down and pay attention,
when you rest before you need to—
you don’t arrive drained and dragging.
You arrive with stories. You arrive with energy (okay—maybe not a ton, but enough to get you to your bed for a nap, after which you feel like a whole new person).
Sure, there might still be blisters.
Or sore muscles.
But walking like this—
with intention, not intensity—makes all the difference.
The Camino has its challenges, absolutely.
But one of the greatest joys?
You get to walk your way.
That’s the heart of Camino Walk With Rebecca—a thoughtfully guided 7-day Camino Inglés experience starting October 3, created especially for people like you who want to walk with intention, confidence, and support.
In case you're just joining us—or need a refresher—here's what you get:
✔️ 3 days of on-the-ground guidance with me
✔️ 4 solo days to walk at your own pace
✔️ 4 live prep sessions (training, mindset, gear & more)
✔️ Private accommodations with your own bathroom
✔️ Optional luggage transfer so you carry just a daypack
✔️ Pre-trip group call + post-Camino reflection session
✔️ Daily check-ins & optional WhatsApp support
📍 Here’s the full program & FAQ doc
If you’d like to explore whether this experience is right for you, click this link to book your free 30-minute Clarity Call.
With appreciation,
Rebecca
P.S. On that scouting trip on the Camino Inglés? I did a live video each day. Warning: If you’re thinking, “I’ll do the Camino some day,” these videos may cause you to book your flights sooner rather than later. Or join us on this very route October 3rd.
Live from the Camino Inglés (Day 4) - Due to technical issues, this one isn’t available yet.
I especially love that woman who gets her picture taken often by pilgrims!