On a daily basis, what helps a lot, is when you do a lot of outdoor activities. Simply a healthy lifestyle and a common sense. For example instead of driving a car to do a shopping - you can simply walk or ride a bike. The same with commuting to work: you can ride a bike or walk part of the distance on foot. It is not easy to get yourself prepared to walk a pilgrimage when you start physical preparations just a month before the starting date. Forget about smoking cigarettes if you do not want to have respitatory problems while climbing the Croagh Patrick.

Good, broken-in shoes (if you choose not to walk barefoot), a raincoat, a small backpack, necessary food including water. New shoes ofthen chafe the heels and may bruise the back of your ankles. A baseball cap to protect your head from the sun. Sunglasses might help.