Camino Preparation Tip #4 Motivation
Planning to walk the Camino de Santiago? Tip #4 of the Camino Preparation Programme by Peter from D-Pete Health & Fitness Clinic in Dublin tackles one of the most underrated aspects of Camino preparation — motivation.
Getting physically fit for the Camino takes weeks of consistent training, and the biggest obstacle most pilgrims face is not the body — it is the mind. Whether you are following our full Camino Fitness Plan or building your own programme, having the mental drive to show up on the difficult days is what will get you to Santiago.
Do you have a Motto?
If Yes! Then write it down now in BIG WRITING on a LARGE A4 page or piece of cardboard!
If Not! Then make one up! What’s your goal? Think about it and put words together. It only has to mean something to you!
Make it POP Out, make it COLOURFUL. Put it over your TV, on your fridge door, the wall next to your bed, along with the dashboard of your car – Somewhere where you will always SEE IT!
Every time you will see your Motto, it will remind you of your GOAL, of what’s important to you.
Slowly it will Motto-vate you!
Slowly you will think back of the little excuses you made:
- The weather is too poor!
- I’m too tired
- I had such a busy day, I just need to sit down and relax
- My favourite show will be starting soon
Slowly, you will realise that the only thing stopping you from doing what’s important to you, is You!
Whatever your Excuse!
- Look at your Motto – Psych yourself up – Go for your walk or run
- Exercise Increases Energy
- Exercise makes you Feel Good
- Exercise Increases Work Ethic
This is Your Time – make the most of it!
Continue reading our preparation and fitness plan by D-Pete:
- Heel Pain, Camino Preparation Tip #5
- Shin Splints, Camino Preparation Tip #6
- Camino Fitness Plan – 6-month Preparation Programme
- Know yourself, Camino Preparation Tip #1
- T-Rex Syndrome, Camino Preparation Tip #2
- How to prevent chafing, Camino Preparation Tip #3
We would love to hear from you, and your experience motivating yourself getting ready for the Camino. Contact us
FAQs
Training for the Camino de Santiago requires weeks or months of consistent preparation, and motivation is what keeps you going when life gets in the way. Having a clear personal goal — and a daily reminder of it — makes the difference between showing up for your training walk and skipping it. If you are unsure where to begin, our six-month Camino Fitness Plan gives you a structured framework to follow from day one.
This is the most common challenge for pilgrims in training. Having a personal motto or goal written somewhere visible — your fridge, your bedroom wall, your dashboard — acts as a daily prompt that reconnects you with why you started. When the excuses creep in, your motto brings you back to what matters. It also helps to remember what you are training for — read about how hard the first day of the Camino de Santiago is to keep your focus sharp.
Yes — and this is one of the most encouraging aspects of consistent training. Regular exercise increases your energy levels, improves your mood, and builds the kind of mental resilience you will draw on during long walking days on the Camino. The harder it feels at the start of training, the greater the reward as your fitness builds. For more on building that inner strength, take a look at our guide on how to emotionally and mentally prepare for the Camino.
Ideally six months before your departure date. This gives you enough time to build fitness gradually, identify and address any weaknesses — such as core strength or footwear comfort — and develop the mental discipline that long-distance walking demands. Our six-month Camino Fitness Plan is the perfect place to start.
Look at your motto. Remind yourself of your goal. Then start small — even a 20-minute walk is better than nothing and often leads to more once you are moving. Exercise increases energy and makes you feel good; the hardest part is always getting out the door. Every training walk brings you one step closer to Santiago. And when you need an extra push, our guide on spiritual preparation for the Camino is a powerful reminder of the deeper reasons so many pilgrims make this journey.
