Walking a marathon in 3 weeks any tips?

I'm doing the Virtual MoonWalk this year so taking note of these tips.

We have our longest training walk of 20 miles this weekend then tapering down before the big day.

OP I've been a hiker since I was a child and am a regular walker, my daily average for the last year is 15k steps. BUT....none of that prepared me for the walking marathon (Moonwalk).

I trained for it specifically but still underestimated how hard it would be. It was hugely fulfilling but the toughest walk I've ever done. The lack of sleep? pah...that was nothing. Hunger? nope - I had regular little snacks for energy. For me the big thing was sore feet. Not blisters on the day, but hard skin under the soles of my feet that had built up (during training) and acted like stones in my shoes while I was doing the marathon. Now I realise that's an extreme example - but my advice would be to pamper your feet before you go. Make sure they're in the best possible condition in the run-up - not just on the day. Good luck!!

Finishing at a restaurant sounds perfect - that will definitely spur you on for the last few miles as well!

I did the overnight Moonwalk marathon a few years ago.
Eat before you start, snack regularly, you need to keep your energy levels up (otherwise you'll pass out like one of my mates did....)
If it's a warm day, stop for an ice-lolly break (not ice cream !) for the hydration and sugar
And definitely get a lift sorted out to get home - you'll be knackered !

I would also really focus on what happens when you finish and have some nice food/arrangements sorted for straight afterwards. My brother and I walk a marathon most years (a lovely annual charity walk). It’s quite doable but you are tired and stiff afterwards. We go back to my mum’s house - she lives near the end of the route - and have a proper slap up meal and a shower. Just make sure you don’t finish up in the middle of nowhere with only sad food to keep you going and an inconvenient journey home.

If you buy any new gear/snacks for the walk make sure you try them on a few walks between now and the big day. Nothing new on race day (I'm sure this goes for walkers as well as runners!)

I did the Lyke Wake walk a few years ago (42 miles along north York moors)
Change your socks every 8-10 miles or so
Don't stop for too long (ie 10-15 mins only for food etc) as you'll just seize up
Make sure you have a map of your route!

oh - and good luck!

take blister plasters and plenty of spare socks.
wrt: if you don't have hiking socks already buy a few pairs of anti-blister hiking socks.
shoes, if you have proper hiking shoes/boots then wet weather shouldn't be an issue.

oh, and in your backpack have 2 large ziplock bags. one filled with spare clothes (socks, knickers, leggings, tshirt) and one for the dirty clothes if you needed to change.

As well as all the feet blister proofing stuff I found a thin buff invaluable for long walks. It keeps annoying hair bits out of face in the wind, helps with sweat in the heat and keeps ears warm if it's cold!

Another brand of socks to try is Hilly TwinSkin - sold for long distance runners. They may or may not be appropriate for inside walking boots, but as you said you're planning on walking in trainers it might be worth a try. If you get the socklet ones, they're way less likely to chafe than ankle socks (which IME are the peskiest length)

You've done 1 19 miler, I suggest you get something in a bit longer soon. 42km takes over 7 hours, it's not the walking so much as the endurance. I try to keep to a steady pace ( for me it's about 6km/hour), one I can sustain, do not be tempted to rush off at the start (many will, and you'll pass them later on exhausted).
I ate a decent breakfast, and then took two small meals which I had whilst moving as I found I quickly stiffened up if I stopped for too long. Take plenty of water or whatever and make sure to top up as you go.

@babbi- they’re about £20 a pair, but you’ll only need one pair, as they’re bomb proof and they wash and dry really quickly. Well worth the investment!

I wouldn’t tape feet if your shoes are comfortable but the minute you feel any rubbing stop right there and then and put on plasters. And change your socks at least once, stopping to dry and air your feet.
Eat, even if you don’t feel like it - slow release stuff like oat cereal bars, protein etc, with sweets for quick energy boosts. Poles are helpful if the terrain is hilly, as they take some of the pressure off your knees. That said, the worst long walk I ever did was flat; it was the lack of variation that made everything hurt!

Agree re blister plasters. The moment your feet become uncomfortable check them, as long as you avoid blisters you should enjoy it.
I found sweets and paracetamol important, if you get to a point 15-20 miles in when you feel a bit achy and rubbish sweets and paracetamol will help.

Ooh yes definitely loo roll and poo bags!

@Imissmoominmama
Thanks for the tip on those socks .. I’ll be getting them for sure !

Definitely Vaseline in your feet and loads around your toes .
Good luck

Really hydrate in the days prior to the walk- it makes a big difference. Rockay anti blister socks are great- I always wear them on big walks now, after getting two huge blisters walking a marathon last year.

I also take a small bag (dog poo bag) and a loo roll, in case I need a wee and want to wipe. The bag is for the used loo roll. I haven’t needed a poo on a walk yet, but you never know!

It sounds as though you have company, which will help keep your spirits up at the end.

I take natural (unsalted) mixed nuts and raisins as a snack

Have a great time!

Oh, and if its raining, put a sandwich bag on your feet between your sock and your shoe, then your feet stay dry however wet your shoe gets.

I read to put vaseline all over feet, then put sock on, then put vaseline on the seams of the inside of the shoe as well. Worked for me.
Mine was a night one and although I don't always listen to anything, at 5am I was really flagging and tuning into a radio station really helped. I even texted in and they read my message out! I'm just saying, be prepared for boredom and to need a motivational boost. You will start to hate your companions. We all sort of naturally took turns to power off in front and set the pace which really helped. Time your treats and energy boosts as part of your motivation.
God help me, remembering this is making me wonder why the hell I have signed up to run a marathon in October!

I read the title as you were walking marathon distance over three weeks and was wondering why you needed blister plasters for a mile a day

Good luck! (No tips, I’d probably struggle with the whole marathon over three weeks thing)

Check your socks too - chafing round the ankles can really hurt and worse cases can break the skin.

Indeed make sure nothing chafes at all, including if it's wet, and perhaps use something like BodyGlide (sold for runners) or vaseline as belt and braces

Yes, carry some fluids, and definitely snacks - include salty ones as well as sweeties.

Get your wet weather gear sorted, but also sunscreen, lip balm and a sun visor. Take a mask in case you need to pop in anywhere and a buff (remarkably useful bit of kit).