Long walk tips...
Discussion
Evening all...
A few of us are embarking on a rather long walk on Sunday to raise money for charity.... It totals about 57km, just over 35miles.
Does anyone have any advice/tips? Particularly regarding pacing? We have stocked up on energy bars and gels and that kind of thing.
The walk follows the Union Canal from London out to Hertfordshire so for all intents and purposes its flat.
Thanks in advance.
Rich
A few of us are embarking on a rather long walk on Sunday to raise money for charity.... It totals about 57km, just over 35miles.
Does anyone have any advice/tips? Particularly regarding pacing? We have stocked up on energy bars and gels and that kind of thing.
The walk follows the Union Canal from London out to Hertfordshire so for all intents and purposes its flat.
Thanks in advance.
Rich
LotusMartin said:
Lupo tape at the first sign of blisters, or preempt them and put some on the back of your heel.
Hopefully you’ve got some nice broken in walking boots or your in for a whole world of pain.
Amazing... just ordered some of that. I have got a load of compeed plasters too.Hopefully you’ve got some nice broken in walking boots or your in for a whole world of pain.
Boots are fine I think... hope...! :-)
Thanks
johnpsanderson said:
For long distance running I’ve heard doubling up on socks helps (thinner pairs obviously!) as it means your foot doesn’t chafe against the shoe, the two pairs of socks slide over each other instead. Never tried it myself though...
Not something I have done yet. I would be a bit reluctant to try it at this late stage. Yeah I'd agree that looking after your feet will be the biggest challenge, you can pack water and food to keep you fuelled over that distance, but if your feet blister 10 miles in then you're not going to have a fun time.
I regularly walk 10-15 miles without too much effort, but even then my feet can take a bit of a pounding depending on the terrain.
I regularly walk 10-15 miles without too much effort, but even then my feet can take a bit of a pounding depending on the terrain.
If you are unlucky enough to get a blister on the back of your heel, I learned to stick a large piece of 'Gaffer Tape over the top and smooth down well.
I've left this on for over a week once and the blister just healed underneath.
(Not a scruffer, on a NATO exercise).
This was before the Army allowed running around in Sandshoes and buy your own comfy boots!
New Boots or shoes, the same, your socks will slide over the tape, and no blister.
I'm guessing an expensive alternative is available these days!
Good luck with it all.
I've left this on for over a week once and the blister just healed underneath.
(Not a scruffer, on a NATO exercise).
This was before the Army allowed running around in Sandshoes and buy your own comfy boots!
New Boots or shoes, the same, your socks will slide over the tape, and no blister.
I'm guessing an expensive alternative is available these days!
Good luck with it all.
I don't know the route, but are 'walking boots' necessary? I generally find them heavy, rigid and uncomfortable.
I don't regularly walk more than ten miles, but I find 'normal' comfortable flat shoes are fine on regular paths and through wooded areas. I'd maybe look at something with more grip and support for more rough ground/hiking.
I don't regularly walk more than ten miles, but I find 'normal' comfortable flat shoes are fine on regular paths and through wooded areas. I'd maybe look at something with more grip and support for more rough ground/hiking.
I did a 20 mile walk a couple of weeks ago for the RNLI along the coast path in North Devon, so very different terrain, and have to agree that looking after your feet is the biggest challenge. I got blisters about 15 miles in and had to walk on them the last five which was hard going mentally. I had completed plasters but they didn't seem to help much.
With hindsight I'd have worn my running trail shoes instead, as I don't (or haven't so far) get blisters in them.
Other than that, take extra socks (nice to swap I to fresh dry socks halfway) and walking poles are handy, especially if you get blisters.
With hindsight I'd have worn my running trail shoes instead, as I don't (or haven't so far) get blisters in them.
Other than that, take extra socks (nice to swap I to fresh dry socks halfway) and walking poles are handy, especially if you get blisters.
mickyh7 said:
If you are unlucky enough to get a blister on the back of your heel, I learned to stick a large piece of 'Gaffer Tape over the top and smooth down well.
I've left this on for over a week once and the blister just healed underneath.
(Not a scruffer, on a NATO exercise).
This was before the Army allowed running around in Sandshoes and buy your own comfy boots!
New Boots or shoes, the same, your socks will slide over the tape, and no blister.
I'm guessing an expensive alternative is available these days!
Good luck with it all.
ThanksI've left this on for over a week once and the blister just healed underneath.
(Not a scruffer, on a NATO exercise).
This was before the Army allowed running around in Sandshoes and buy your own comfy boots!
New Boots or shoes, the same, your socks will slide over the tape, and no blister.
I'm guessing an expensive alternative is available these days!
Good luck with it all.
LordGrover said:
I don't know the route, but are 'walking boots' necessary? I generally find them heavy, rigid and uncomfortable.
I don't regularly walk more than ten miles, but I find 'normal' comfortable flat shoes are fine on regular paths and through wooded areas. I'd maybe look at something with more grip and support for more rough ground/hiking.
Thats a good point an I have been thinking of this.... I might well get my wife to come and find me at some point and drop of my very soft running trainers.I don't regularly walk more than ten miles, but I find 'normal' comfortable flat shoes are fine on regular paths and through wooded areas. I'd maybe look at something with more grip and support for more rough ground/hiking.
The tow paths are quite rough in places, or at least the are up in herts.
boyse7en said:
I did a 20 mile walk a couple of weeks ago for the RNLI along the coast path in North Devon, so very different terrain, and have to agree that looking after your feet is the biggest challenge. I got blisters about 15 miles in and had to walk on them the last five which was hard going mentally. I had completed plasters but they didn't seem to help much.
With hindsight I'd have worn my running trail shoes instead, as I don't (or haven't so far) get blisters in them.
Other than that, take extra socks (nice to swap I to fresh dry socks halfway) and walking poles are handy, especially if you get blisters.
Holy sWith hindsight I'd have worn my running trail shoes instead, as I don't (or haven't so far) get blisters in them.
Other than that, take extra socks (nice to swap I to fresh dry socks halfway) and walking poles are handy, especially if you get blisters.
t.... I have done a bit of that coast path over the last few years (mainly around port issac, and bedruthan steps) and its absolutely brutal.... hats off for 20 miles of that..... that would kill me I think.Few tips for general comfort from my Mountain Rescue days.
- If the terrain is gentle, there is no need for walking boots...trainers are generally more comfortable.
- Take several pairs of socks. A factor in blisters is damp skin and damp socks due to sweat. It can make a real difference changing your socks on a stop.
- Take a couple of base layers if the route is hilly. Having a dry top to change into on the summit is heaven on the way down.
- You need to be rucksack fit - a day lugging one, no matter how strong and fit hurts. Get used to wearing one before the walk.
If the event is on Sunday; forget about changing anything on your kit.
Socks, shoes, clothes - stick with what you know.
Marathon runners have a mantra - "nothing new on race day"
i.e, everything should be tried and tested as if it hurts/rubs/doesn't fit right/doesn't sit well with you then it can do serious damage.
I would just say keep hydrated, watch your pace to try to keep it even and dress for the weather.
Socks, shoes, clothes - stick with what you know.
Marathon runners have a mantra - "nothing new on race day"
i.e, everything should be tried and tested as if it hurts/rubs/doesn't fit right/doesn't sit well with you then it can do serious damage.
I would just say keep hydrated, watch your pace to try to keep it even and dress for the weather.
Muzzer79 said:
If the event is on Sunday; forget about changing anything on your kit.
Socks, shoes, clothes - stick with what you know.
Marathon runners have a mantra - "nothing new on race day"
i.e, everything should be tried and tested as if it hurts/rubs/doesn't fit right/doesn't sit well with you then it can do serious damage.
I would just say keep hydrated, watch your pace to try to keep it even, and dress for the weather.
Great point, nothing new on the day. Socks, shoes, clothes - stick with what you know.
Marathon runners have a mantra - "nothing new on race day"
i.e, everything should be tried and tested as if it hurts/rubs/doesn't fit right/doesn't sit well with you then it can do serious damage.
I would just say keep hydrated, watch your pace to try to keep it even, and dress for the weather.
If it's flat then just wear some good running or trail shoes. I've done a few marathons and ultras. If it's climbing Snowden or rough terrain then yes boots. But the flat is fine for running shoes.
I wear Blister socks and I rarely get a blister. I also go one shoe size bigger for long-distance to accommodate for feet swelling.
Nike used to make the best Blister socks but I've not seen them in stock for a while.
Might need to do some googling.
Good luck
This is far too late for tomorrow but I’ll post anyway 
Don’t eat anything new to you, either the couple of days before or during your walk. Fill your face with anything you like at the end.
Personally, gels don’t work for me; real food is so much better.
Hydrate. And hydrate a bit more. And then keep hydrating... don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
Double socks.. I wear lightweight injinji toe socks under a medium weight injinji.
If you’re carrying anything do it in a small pack on your back, not in your pockets.
Have a warm clothing layer for the end.
And the main thing .. enjoy!
Don’t eat anything new to you, either the couple of days before or during your walk. Fill your face with anything you like at the end.
Personally, gels don’t work for me; real food is so much better.
Hydrate. And hydrate a bit more. And then keep hydrating... don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
Double socks.. I wear lightweight injinji toe socks under a medium weight injinji.
If you’re carrying anything do it in a small pack on your back, not in your pockets.
Have a warm clothing layer for the end.
And the main thing .. enjoy!
Yep, definitely double socks, I used cotton sports socks as a first layer then woollen thick ones over the top. Once the cotton is damp with sweat they will stick and the woollen will slide and avoid blisters.
Also, talc your feet, take spare socks and wear trainers if the going is mild. Walking boots for ascending Ben Nevis yes, but a rough trail?
One great idea my very angry platoon Sgt taught me, draw around your feet at the bottom of your roll mat, cut out feet shaped insoles and hey presto. Your feet will sink into these making perfectly shaped, insulated and soft insoles. I survived P company doing this!
Also, talc your feet, take spare socks and wear trainers if the going is mild. Walking boots for ascending Ben Nevis yes, but a rough trail?
One great idea my very angry platoon Sgt taught me, draw around your feet at the bottom of your roll mat, cut out feet shaped insoles and hey presto. Your feet will sink into these making perfectly shaped, insulated and soft insoles. I survived P company doing this!
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