Did you know as a not-for-profit association ACHPER SA –The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, SA Branch Inc, have owned and managed the Corporate Cup for 43 years.
Recently in May 2023 ACHPER SA’s Co-President and School Principal, Craig Fosdike put his fitness to the test and completed the 720km Camino Trail in Spain with his wife walking between 20-30km every single day. We asked Craig about his journey on the trail and what he found the most challenging, and also what he found rewarding. He also shares some advice on the benefits of walking and keeping active. The Corporate Cup offers great opportunities for walking and running.
Corporate Cup: What made you want to complete a Camino Trail in Spain?
Craig: The Camino de Santiago is a network of historical pilgrimage routes throughout Europe that lead to Santiao de Compostela in Spain, where the Apostle James is buried. The Camino weaves through villages, towns, and large cities. The route I trekked with my wife was the Camino Norte (northern) and the Camino Primitivo (original). We covered 720km over the 30 days we walked. We had many encounters with the wilderness, culture, and history and for us it was also a spiritual experience, as from the 11th century the routes were historically a pilgrimage. We walked in the footsteps of many pilgrims.
Corporate Cup: What was your favourite part of the trail?
Craig: The whole journey was wonderful. I say to people it was a gift I gave myself – to just get up every day and walk. I did not have to do anything else apart from knowing where the day would end. To walk in the countryside of Spain is like walking on the Heysen trail in the Adelaide Hills or the Heysen coastal walks. As you walk you do engage with the environment – watch the clouds, listen to the birds, observe the cows and the sheep and the goats and the dogs, and your mind wonders to what went on in farm buildings that are hundreds of years old. You read up on the towns you walk through and imagine what life must be like.
Corporate Cup: What was the most challenging part of your journey?
Craig: The preparation before the trek helped us a lot. Do your research and make your plan. There is plenty of online information. You cannot be too fit. Getting up before work 5 days a week at 6 am and walking 8km helped our bodies and our mindset. We did this for two months leading up to our Trek. Then adding a weekend walk of 20 km helped prepare the body. You also need to wear your boots in. I recommend waterproof ankle high boots. If you are a consistent walker as a part of your everyday fitness (you can do 5-10km well) then you can trek the Camino. Age is not a barrier. We met Pilgrims from their early 20’s to their late 70’s.
On the Trek attending to your feet is important. Making sure you have enough water and you hydrate regularly. There were harder walking days than other days so you do not have to rush. If it takes 7 hours to walk that day so be it. You teach yourself to be in the moment.
Corporate Cup: How did your body hold up walking for so long?
Craig: My body was used to walking 7 – 10 km regularly two to three times a week, the Corporate Cup clearly helps! This helped the mindset to be able to do a 30km day or a 20km day. After the first 7 days I was surprised how walking fit I became. You are also seeing things and meeting people that allows you to not think about sore feet.
Corporate Cup: How did you keep yourself motivated to complete the 700km walk?
Craig: It was a grand adventure that my wife and I were on. We were confident from our preparation that we could walk 20km a day. Some days we did 30km. You just do it. At the end of the day you rest, have a meal, a drink and read up about the next day. The unknown of the next day made it something to look forward to. It was exciting.
Corporate Cup: What is your advice to others on the benefits of walking and keeping active?
Craig: A personal commitment to weekly, regular exercise gives you the opportunity and confidence to participate in all sorts of adventures. Your body responds well to exercise. Body fitness builds mental fitness to deal with day-to-day challenges. It is easy to go for a walk around Adelaide. It is easy to go for a bike ride in Adelaide. Use technology to support your walking – a watch to tell you how far and fast you are going, listen to a podcast. You always feel better for being active. All the best with your Corporate Cup in 2023, and if not involved get involved today.
