114 KILOMETRES, TWO WOMEN AND ONE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE
What walking 114 kilometres of the Camino de Santiago taught me about strength, recovery and embracing life after menopause.
Well, we’ve done it!
114 kilometres of the Camino de Santiago.
Two women, aged 55 and 61, walking across Galicia in Spain, taking on something neither of us had ever done before.
And what an adventure it’s been!
There was beautiful scenery, wonderful conversations, laughter and some unforgettable moments.
But there was also something we hadn’t planned for.
We both became ill.
Alison started feeling poorly first, and around 48 hours later, I followed.
Sore throats, blocked noses, disturbed sleep and generally feeling rather rubbish.
Not exactly ideal when you’re walking over 20 kilometres a day!
There were moments when it felt much harder than we’d anticipated.
But the experience reminded me of something important.
We’re often stronger than we give ourselves credit for.
Jackie
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STRENGTH ISN’T JUST ABOUT THE GYM
Neither of us had done an enormous amount of walking preparation.
But we both exercise regularly, strength train and try to look after our health.
Strength training doesn’t automatically prepare you for long-distance walking, but I believe our existing fitness gave us a useful foundation.
We also learnt the importance of adapting.
We prioritised food, rest and recovery, making use of massage and other recovery facilities along the route.
And when we finished, we treated ourselves to an extra day at a lovely hotel.
Because looking after your body isn’t just about what you can achieve.
It’s also about recognising what it needs afterwards.
Of course, being unwell isn’t something to push through at any cost. Significant illness is a reason to stop and seek medical advice.
WORLD MENOPAUSE DAY: WHY CHRONIC PAIN MATTERS
On 18 October, we marked World Menopause Day 2026, with this year’s theme focusing on Chronic Pain at Midlife.
On 18 October, we marked World Menopause Day 2026, with this year’s theme focusing on Chronic Pain at Midlife.
It’s a subject I regularly discuss with women in clinic.
Aching joints, muscle pain, persistent discomfort, poor sleep and fatigue can make everyday life increasingly difficult.
Research highlighted by Loughborough University and UCL found that women reporting chronic pain at age 44 had almost three times the odds of experiencing a high burden of menopause symptoms at age 50.
Importantly, this was observational research.
It doesn’t prove that chronic pain causes menopause symptoms.
But it reinforces why we need to look at the whole woman.
Pain can disrupt sleep. Poor sleep can make pain harder to manage. Fatigue can affect movement and recovery.
And hormonal changes may be one part of that bigger picture.
Persistent pain deserves proper assessment, not dismissal as simply getting older.
TIPS OF THE WEEK: TRAIN FOR THE LIFE YOU WANT TO LIVE
After walking 114 kilometres, I’ve been thinking about why we exercise.
We often focus on weight, calories, steps or what our bodies look like.
But what if we asked a different question?
“What do I want my body to be able to do in five, ten or twenty years?”
Perhaps you want to:
- Travel and explore new places.
- Walk comfortably in the countryside.
- Play with your grandchildren.
- Carry your own suitcase.
- Get up from the floor confidently.
- Maintain your independence.
Now choose one small action that supports that future.
It might be beginning strength training twice a week, gradually increasing your walking distance or incorporating balance exercises.
If you’re managing pain or a health condition, seek appropriate guidance.
Start where you are. Build gradually. Allow time to recover.
The goal isn’t to exercise perfectly.
It’s to build the capacity to enjoy your life.
WHERE TO START
If you’re noticing changes in your strength, energy or overall wellbeing, my personalised menopause support pathway includes:
- Readiness & Symptom Snapshot, available through my menopause lead magnets.
- Menopause Check-In (15 minutes), a free 15-minute conversation.
- Menopause MOT, a personalised health assessment with appropriate testing.
- The Menopause Vitality Reset, ongoing coaching and support.
FINAL THOUGHT THERE’S STILL SO MUCH LIVING TO DO
As Alison and I finish our Camino adventure, I’m incredibly grateful.
For our friendship.
For the laughter.
For what our bodies allowed us to experience.
And for the reminder that midlife doesn’t have to mean making our worlds smaller.
We may need to adapt, prepare differently and give ourselves more recovery time.
But there are still adventures to have, places to explore and memories to make.
114 kilometres later, and I’m certainly not finished!
With you,
Jackie
Menopause Health Specialist
Creator of The Menopause Vitality Reset
