Mark has published two books on how to prepare for a Camino. One is in its 3rd edition, the other 2nd edition.
The fully updated 3rd.edition of "Camino Ready. Backpacks, Boots & (no) Blisters" released in 2022 follows the earlier editions that received 4.5 stars. It is in full colour and therefore the printing costs are much higher those with black type.The 3rd edition has a lot more details on training as well as two appendices; one on albergues and the other on bed bugs.
To reduce costs Mark prepared and published another book in black type in 2020 . This book "Camino Preparation Guide" sells for about half the cost of "Camino Ready. Backpacks, Boots & (no) Blisters" A 2nd edition was released in 2022 with updates, including the impact of covid.
Mark H O'Sullivan was born in Australia and studied and practiced as an economist for many years while having an active outdoor life surfing, sea kayaking, rowing and fishing. He heard the "Call of The Camino" over 30 years ago, but it was not until his 69th year that he was able to walk the 800 km Camino Frances in 2013. This was followed by the Camino from Le Puy to St Jean Pied de Port in 2014 (approx 740 km), from Lisbon to Santiago in 2016 and Porto to Santiago in 2017. In early 2018 he walked 500 km on the Via de La Plata from Seville to Salamanca. In October 2018 he again walked the Camino Frances to Santiago through rain and at times snow and sleet. In 2019 he walked the Camino Ingles. Mark has also volunteered on two occasions in the Pilgrim's office in St Jean Pied de Port.
Mark saw large numbers of people who had set off full of enthusiasm, only to find after a week or so that they had to discontinue their Camino due to blisters, shin splints, tendonitis, loss of toe nails and other problems. In most cases it was a direct result of insufficient preparation, poor choice of boots, excessive weight in their backpacks and walking too fast.
"if you want to arrive like a young person, start off like an old one".
Each of these books are for the thousands of people each year who haven't yet walked a Camino or need to prepare for a longer one and want to get well prepared so they can successfully complete their own Camino to Santiago.
Consider this: if your stride is half a metre, around 1.6 million steps will be required to walk 800 km. Pilgrims "march on their soles." Be well prepared for a life enriching experience by doing the research early and set out with confidence.
