Training For The Camino De Santiago, and Earning Money

What is the link between being a digital nomad and training?

This year we wanted to do the Camino de Santiago for the first time. The plan was to make this a true pilgrimage and to say “thank you” for the blessings we received. No, we were not planning on doing 800km; we leave that for the day we retire. We just wanted to do 110 km. Making time in our busy schedules here in the USA to train was hard. So we decided to go and work in Valencia, Spain, and to do our training for the Camino de Santiago from there.

With the time difference, it worked so well. We could walk miles/ or kilometers during the morning and get to know the city, and after lunch, we returned to the apartment for 8 hours of work (on Central time). I am not saying it was easy, especially when it gets to midnight, and you are still on conference calls. But it is very doable. Both our jobs allowed us to work remotely, so this was an ideal time to work as a digital nomad while training for the Camino de Santiago.

I do love the two photos above; the one on the left is supposed to show Johan working, and the one on the right shows Johan walking the Camino. But, any working man needs to eat…so, there you are. The photo on the left was taken over a weekend during a leisurely lunch.

Is your “work-life” balance out of whack? Use your time as a digital nomad to train for the Camino.

I can only talk for our family and my colleagues, and I know our work-life balance is out of whack. We start at 7 a.m. when you read and answer your first emails while drinking your coffee, and then we finish the workday at 10 p.m., answering those last emails that came in between 6 p.m. (18:00) and when you go to bed. Lunch is whatever you bring from home or get from the fridge if you are lucky enough to work from home, eaten in front of the computer. Hopefully, you don’t have a Zoom call, that you can at least chew without anybody seeing or hearing it. It’s a crazy rat race…and we are all on the hamster wheel. The solution: Work from Spain. Rent an apartment in Valencia. Vacation in the morning. Work at night!

Walk in Spain

It’s important to find the right place to stay. A place with all the conveniences needed to do your job but that also offers opportunities to walk long distances to get fit. For is this was in Valencia. Please read all about how we chose Valencia and El Cabanyal as the perfect spot the get fit for the Camino.

Our plan was simple. We got up in the morning, had a coffee and a small breakfast, and then went someplace you have not been before. North, East, South, or West, it did not really matter. Time on your feet mattered. How fast you walked did not matter, but getting distance and getting your heart rate up a bit mattered.

With the great Metro system, in most cases, you could walk to your heart’s content. When you are tired, you get on the Metro and come home. Or, you get on the Metro, go to where you stopped yesterday, and walk further. When you are tired, get a bus or the metro. Rinse and repeat. This was a great way to really get to know the town. We had no place to be, nothing that we had so see, and just one goal. Enjoy while you work on getting fit.

Walking to the Central Market in Valencia

One day, we decided to take the metro and get close to the old town. Then we just walked around and found the Central Market in Valencia by chance. To spend hours, and many miles in this amazing place. Please read all about the experience we had that day. It definitely did not feel like we were training for anything.

Depending on the day, we finished with a later lunch (in Spain, nobody eats lunch at noon). If time allows, we took a little siesta. Yes, it’s a THING here! Then at 8 am Central time, or 3 pm in Valencia, we sat in front of our computers and started our day. Refreshed from the 5 or 8 miles we walked earlier in the day.

And YES, when it was lunchtime in the USA, we walked down the stairs to our closest restaurant and actually stopped; we ate dinner (Spain time) and returned to work. Invigorated for the last 4 hours of the day. I said it before: it was not always easy at 11 p.m. in Spain, but the idea that you could have another vacation day tomorrow before you start your work day made all the difference. I highly recommend it.

How far did we walk in Spain before the Camino?

So the question begs, how far did we walk in Spain in the seven weeks before we started the Camino? We walked 500 miles in 7 weeks, and the training for the Camino de Santiago was complete.

Valencia Beach at El Cabanyal

We made our home for 8 weeks a quarter mile from on of the best beaches in Valencia, at Malvarrosa Beach in the small fisherman’s village of El Cabanyal. Imagine waking up a stone through away from the most pristine white beaches you have ever seen. Soft white sand between your toes, delicious food, and an internet connection make this the perfect “working holiday.” If you are lucky enough to only be dependent on the internet and you’re not office-bound, you can have the same experience.

One of the top beaches, if not the top beach, is in Valencia, in the old Fisherman’s town called El Cabanyal. Walking on the beach, with sand between your toes, or on the promenade is perfect for getting that long distance in.

Is it Worth Working as a Digital Nomad While Training for the Camino de Santiago?

Yes, Yes, and Yes. No question. If you can make it work, it is the best thing ever. Have a vacation while you work, and get fit and have fun.

Conclusion

Training for the Camino de Santiago while working as a digital nomad in Valencia, Spain, proved to be a highly rewarding experience. Balancing work and preparation for the pilgrimage was made easier by the city’s excellent amenities, scenic walking routes, and the ability to maintain a flexible schedule. This approach allowed for both professional productivity and effective training, demonstrating that with the right planning and mindset, it’s possible to combine work and personal goals seamlessly. For anyone considering a similar journey, Valencia offers the perfect environment to prepare for the Camino.