Walking a marathon - your tips?

Are you in a group/doing it with friends? If not I would load up a podcast or audible book as well as music to keep you going. Sometimes it's the boredom that's the hardest thing!

Take snacks and also painkillers as walking on roads for that distance really hurts the hips and knees.

Done something similar - which was 32 miles. Take compeed in a small pouch and be comfortable with your socks as well as trainers.

I took little cheese sandwiches with me and there were people handed out bananas and things. It helped to have something that wasn't sweet. You get sick of sweet stuff quite quickly.

when I finished I ate my bodyweight in curry. I'd load up with carbs the day before.

Moonwalk give you pasta or rice before you start, so I left food in my bag at the venue and carried sweets and a few energy bars/gels. It is the middle of the night so you probably won't want much.

I think there was food afterwards too but it was years ago!

They handed out water on the way round and I think some fruit too.

On my training walks I had a good breakfast then just ate energy bars and swigged water while walking as part of my training. When hill walking I would sit down with a packed lunch which wouldn't be practical on the moonwalk.

I like a mix of sweet and savoury snacks if i'm going to be out for that sort of length of time, otherwise you start to feel a bit yucky from all the sugar!
Sandwich thins with jam & peanut butter cut into quarters (eat a quarter at a time max), crisps (hula hoops are good as they're a bit more sturdy in a bag!), cocktail sausages or mini sausage rolls, dried fruit and nuts, jelly babies, energy gels, soreen bars......

Any advice on what I should eat on the way around? I've been told to snack, small regularly.

on longer runs I use the glucose tablets, or hi5aqua gels. Haribo or Percy pigs give a little sugar boost (& after drinking water it’s sometimes nice just to taste something)
The small Soreen bars are also good before you start, or a banana.

Whatever you try, make sure you stick to that on the day, at least that way you know it won’t unsettle your stomach.

Could you join a hiking group and go on regular countryside walks? That's how I prepared for the Yorkshire Three Peaks, which is only a few miles short of a marathon.

I imagine you might need a bit of 'psychological' training for the particular mental challenge of a long flat urban walk, though. It may be helpful to build some less exhilarating routes into your training, in addition to the joyful rural ones.

Agree with others that pavements and near uniform flatness (though easier in some ways) will put quite a lot of strain on your feet and legs. Good running shoes sound like a sensible choice of footwear.

I had an acquaintance who did a walking marathon. She was very slight ( doing the walk to celebrate being free from a significant physical illness) mid 50's. Not physically fit.

Her training was inventive I thought. She would walk along pavements to a big supermarket in the next town. There she could go to the loo, sit down for coffee etc. it was 7 miles. There was a bus outside Morrisons that went back to her area so she could choose to use the bus all or some of the way back and built up her stamina in that way.

Pavement is very hard. Make sure you have super comfortable trainers and padded socks. Practise walking after dark too.

I was going to say walking poles. I love them but have never used them in a city before and have no idea if they'd help.

It's cushioning, rather than grip, that you need. Walking shoes don't tend to be that cushioned (and aren't always that light, which will make quite a difference).

Whilst flat, and on pavements might sound easier than a hilly walk in the countryside, don't underestimate the impact that walking on a hard surface will have. That's why cushioned running shoes would be best. And you may well need to size up - your feet will swell a lot (remember you'll be walking for 6+ hours straight, plus all the time on your feet getting there/hanging around, and getting home afterwards). Good (cushioned) socks also key.

Walking on the flat is also quite hard, as you're using the same muscles in the same way all the time. When you go up and down hill it's harder on your CV system, but at least different muscle groups get to take their turn. The repetition can be quite challenging.

I'd do a variety of walks in your training - some on paved paths, some on footpaths (if you can find some that aren't muddy!). And a good mix of hills/flat. If you have canals near you, they're great for long walks as there's always a path, and they're nice and flat (apart from the locks), and you can't get lost.

I know someone said train for 6 weeks, but unless you're a seasoned walker, I'd be training for a lot longer than that. You'd get round it with less training, but it would be much harder (both on the day and afterwards).

And expect not to be able to move the next day!

Do leg strengthening exercises - squats, lunges, bridges. Remember to stretch too. You can do them at home, although it's worth having a lesson with a personal trainer to make sure you do them properly.

We did the Moonwalk years ago. Were relatively young a fit and walked short distances very regularly so didn't do much training.

I would advise training 😂

Knees and hips were very painful, we bought drugs (painkillers) half way round.

The lightest walking or running trainers you can find would be my advice, then wear them in. We didn't have a blister between us, and have lots of fun. Also, ask someone to give you a lift home. The last bit, after the walk is done is the least fun.

Use surgical spirit on your feet daily, starting about 6 weeks before. Helps to prevent blisters.

You need a mileage build-up plan similar to what marathon runners would use, in fact there's no reason why you can't use one of those and replace the running with walking.
On tarmac I would wear running trainers as some of the walking trainers are too stiff and rigid and lack cushioning if they're intended for trail use.
You need to think about hydration and fuel - check what they provide at the feed stations on the moonwalk but you will need to carry water on training runs and something to keep your energy levels up. Snacking little and often tends to work best.
For the moonwalk I would also try and do some long walks late at night or your bodyclock will screw you over on the day.
Also please wear a proper sports bra because the ones they give you to decorate shouldn't be worn to walk 26 miles in!!

I did the moonwalk, it is great fun.

Good supportive trainers for walking or running. I would go to a specialist shop and get fitted, allow space for cushioned supportive breathable socks. I like bridgedale wool ones.

If you suffer with blisters twin skins are great.

Test all your kit well beforehand. A good sports bra is essential. I would suggest a long sleeve base layer, and gym leggings and a lightweight breathable waterproof. It gets cold overnight but you also get warm walking briskly.

I wore a small bumbag with a few essentials, thin gloves, sweets, sports gel, lip balm, tissues etc.

Start training ASAP and build up gently to avoid injury. Aim to do at least 20miles in one go before the event, but I found it a huge confidence boost to have done the full distance once before the event. Ideally do one long walk a week and a couple of shorter ones. Do most of your training on similar terrain, I was a hill walker and found road walking quite different.

Get some good audio books, the training walks can get a bit boring!

I followed the Moonwalk training program, and found it really helpful. Make sure you build in hills, and look at the route from previous years for an idea of some of the likely terrain. The Moonwalk is a brilliant experience and very well organised. Their online resources are very helpful. Depending on your location, there are sometimes groups of others who are training and you can join them.

Comfortable underwear and socks. Try out all the clothes / shoes you plan to wear beforehand - no new kit on the day.
Make sure you hydrate well the day before. If you are wearing a running style belt I would add blister platers & vaseline too.

In prep for your fitness I would recommend some hill walks, but if you think this will cause problems with your knees then I would recommend swimming. I would also suggest a sports massage leading up to the walk if you can, this can work on any tight muscle areas, which can lead to pain in other areas (if my calves get tight I get hamstring issues).

Best of luck and enjoy it!.

Ah definitely trainers then for the moonwalk. Decent non rub socks too. Good luck it was an amazing experience.

Hilly twin skin socks are great for preventing blisters.

Good footwear and seam free socks. If it's off-road then supportive walking boots or trail shoes, if it's on roads/pavements then trainers for walking/running with a cushioned sole. Allow plenty of time to wear in and test anything you plan to wear/use on the day. There's usually a Facebook page for organised events which will be a great source of info. Good luck!