How hard is it to hike/walk 26 miles?

[Bemyclementine]

I've had a leaflet come through the door fir the "mighty hike". A half or full marathon distance.

I'd LOVE to challenge myself to do this, and there us one very locally.

I'm am currently not fit and overweight.

I have previously been very fit, but chikdren and single parenthood plus a couple if health issues kind of put it on the back burner.

I do at least 10k steps a day without really noticing and can walk 6 - 8 miles at ease (but dont do it often.

How hard would it be? How would I train for it? I used to run a lot, up to 10 miles, so I guess train in a similar way, just walking and upping the distance/varying terrain?

I've done Kiltwalks which are marathon length, mostly on paths and pavements. You absolutely need to train for it. I managed at least three 20+ mile walks before doing the kilt walks building up slowly from 6 mile walks over 4 months. I also run so wore running shoes but id I was doing a coastal walk would wear a pair of walking shoes/boots that were well broken in.

I walked 25 miles as a teen when training for Ten Tors. I remember finding it hard going although a lot of it was on Dartmoor so not the easiest terrain with scree slopes and bogs to navigate and a heavy backpack. I don't think I could do it now unless I had done some training before.

Half would be fine with limited training.

Full distance much harder and IMO, from knowing 4/5 people in their 30s and in good shape for running and hiking who’ve walked this kind of event, would require training. They said even with the training, good footwear etc it was physically painful and a couple of their wider group didn’t complete the full distance.

Loads of programmes are available free online.

You will be fine if it's flat!

You can get a walking pad cheaply and stick it under the sofa for time you can't get out.

Try and do a 15 mile walk to prepare a few weeks beforehand

Don't buy mountain warehouse shoes. There are loads of great brands out there with a 100 day guarantee such as Hoka.

I bought some Nike Juniper trail trainers and they are very comfortable but you need to check they are suitable for the terrain. I also have ancient walking boots.

You will need some kit. So factor that in
Costing it. Decent Trousers I struggle withr, base and mid layer and then a coat dependant on time of year. Back pack and water bottle

I've done 15 mile charity walks, I'm not fit.
In the countryside (Yorkshire) country lanes, across fields, up and down some hills, its hard work in places.
Someone told me that if I started to struggle just think "one foot in front of the other" that helped.
Get some good walking boots and start wearing them in, trainer types tend to be softer, you don't need to spend a fortune, I have boots that cost £200 and a trainer type that cost £40, the trainer ones are actually the best for me.
You need good socks and a spare pair in case you get wet or sweaty.
Take a backpack but don't overload it, it's going to feel very heavy when you get tired, you need water, food, some protein bars would be helpful, plasters etc.
Layer up your clothing so you can take something off when you get warm.
On the walk don't lag behind, you need to be near the front or in the middle as when they stop for a rest they may wait for the laggers to catch up then move on and you won't get a proper rest (learnt this to my cost)
Let us know how you get on, I'm rooting for you, I think you'll enjoy it

I walked the Camino so did long distances daily.

Really well fitting walking shoes or boots. If there is any downhill walking and your boots don't fit you may get bruised toenails from the force of them being jammed into the front the boot.
2 pairs of socks - cotton liners and then wool. Change every 3 hours or so.
This is the lifesaver: apply Vaseline to feet before putting socks on!!
I didn't have a single blister the whole 500 miles.

I took a bunch of people who thought they could only walk about 5 miles max on a 24 mile walk over 2 days, and they managed just fine, to their surprise. I think you can always walk further than you think on easy terrain. How long do you have to complete the walk? Maybe set yourself the challenge of walking 15- 20 miles and see how you feel?

Take extra socks, that way if your feet get sweaty or wet you can put dry socks on. A friend of mine does ultra distance walking, says this is his best tip, plus proper supportive boots, easy to turn an ankle, even on the flat. Make sure you do break them in before hand.

The Merrell website has half priced walking boots at the minute

I think training how you mentioned it sounds about right. I did Peddars Way Thetford to Cromer in 15hours in my young and fit teen years, the soles of me feet were two big blisters the next day largely as I had basic walking kit and it wasn't a great experience in the moment - it is a great achievement looking back though o invest in some good waking boots at least especially if you walk anyway.

I'm slowly walking the Norfolk Coast on Sundays there are some sections between Sheringham and Cromer that are a bit hilly if you go aling the cliff and fine on a normal day but if you've already walked X amount and are generally a bit unfit and overweight can leave you out of puff. I also find sometimes walking along the beach can be a bit jarring and get hip and lower back pain the following day. But that is probably just as much to do with being overweight, WFH in a sedentary job and previous injury from car accident

It sounds like a great challenge and no reason why you couldn't achieve it although definitely wouldn't go at it cold, buildup your stamina abit with some training and some proper shoes, waterproofs and maybe a rucksack with a waist belt to take the load of your bag a bit instead of just on your back.

As well as decent shoes make sure you have good quality socks!

That would be 9 hours of non stop walking for me, I walk about 3 mph.
Up until about 2020 I'd do 15 mile hikes weekly, sometimes twice weekly, in the peaks, around the Humber, in the Dales etc.

I've not been hitting that mark recently though, these days leisurely dog walks for a couple hours daily is all i do really.

I think if I had a big hike or a multi day hike planned for 2024 I'd need to get some really good shoes fitted at Cotswolds or similar.
I favour trail runners for longer hikes over boots.
Need some good hiking socks.
then some Fjallraven Vidda Trousers. A Polyester vest and Merino top and a brolly if it's not windy, otherwise, Frog Toggs.
A new Osprey backpack too, love Osprey for hikes.

I'd load my pack up with everything I need clothes food water snacks, then start doing smaller hikes three times a week with it on my back.

10miles - rest day - 12 miles - rest day 15miles - rest day - rest day: repeat for 4 weeks.
15 miles - rest - 15 miles - rest - 20 miles rest - rest
Repeat for 4.
Stretching before, during and after and on rest days.

you'd also need calorie intake on the bigger hikes. So I'd be looking at taking a small stove for coffee, meals and snacks.
Flapjack was alway my go to snack - tasty and sweet with oats and syrups and chocolate. Yum yum.
Trangia Burner, water and instant coffee for stops. Slower to brew up but almost forces you to stop and rest for half hour instead of pushing through and risking injury.
Some people may suggested dehydrated meals, I never bothered with them tbh, expensive and such. Pouch of microwave rice with a sliced up pepperami in, little hot water and shake it.. eat with a racing spoon.

I miss the peaks and dales. Living in the Midlands is kinda sucky. 🤣

Perhaps controversially, I disagree with all the ‘get decent boots’ comments.

Instead, go to a proper sports/running shop, explain what you’re doing and where and take their recommendation for decent trail running shoes. I’ve never needed to break in a pair of trail shoes and have never had blisters from them. They’re softer and lighter and I find them much more comfortable for long distance walks. The only time I use boots is when I’m expecting a route to be particularly muddy, and it doesn’t sound like yours is.

In terms of training, I’d ‘just keep walking’ for most days, but plan one long walk each week, adding an extra mile or so each week until you’re up to about 20 miles. No need to do the full distance whole training; the adrenaline/support on the day will get you those final six miles.

Good luck. It sounds fun!

A couple of friends and I did a London walking marathon last year ( the Alzheimer's organised one).
We were all late 30s and mid fitness.

We did three increasing training walks together plus all tried to up our everyday walking. Never did the full 26 miles until the actual day.

The training walks plus the full marathon were so much fun and completely manageable.

We had such a good time we are now planning what we will do this year and I've just sent them a link to the mighty hikes website so thank you and maybe see you there!!!

Loads of practical tips from PP above, the only thing I'd add is get your shoes sorted early, I left it too late and they were not as comfy as they could have been on the day!

Also get some good audio books or podcasts and music to keep you going while training! Or some people together to do it as a group!

I’d agree with trail runners instead of boots

To be honest terrain makes a huge difference - 26 miles on mostly flat paths with a bit of give (grass but not muddy) is very different from stumbly paths up and down dale, or worst of all tarmac which does your feet in. Really good boots that fit you (it's not about brand) are essential even for half the marathon. You should be able to do the half distance if not too hilly with just general warm up training (think 2 hour hikes at weekends) whereas the longer distance you would need the time to properly train and build up to it

Oh, and get a decent bag. I’d recommend an Ultimate Direction FastPackHer. UD are really good at designing bags specifically for women (not just turning the men’s bags pink). Once I put mine on, I pretty much forget it’s there.

Practice walking with fully loaded bag - hat, gloves, spare jacket, spare socks, first aid kit, water, food. I wouldn’t bother with a stove for one day, but I do always take a flask (caffeine addict!)

Oh and socks are super important, I have cushioned ones which were a game changer for blisters

I've done this. It's the load on your knee and hips that got me. I'm pretty fit and walk lots but stupidly didn't do enough long walk training.

You'll be fine if you follow a decent training plan to build up strength.

@KissTheRains there's no way I could do that training schedule, due to time, work, children, no partner.....

I disagree on the trail shoe recommendations up thread. The Norfolk Coast path needs boots with ankle supports you are walking along sandy beaches, large areas of flint beach, diverted cliff tops all which are easy to twist and sprain an ankle, with limited roadside access.

OK. My plan is to invest in some decent footwear and start walking as much as I can.

I will look and see if I register for one distance, if its possible to switch (either way....) I want this to be an achievement, not a failure.

I’ve done four mighty hikes. I train a lot for them - it is really time consuming

The right shoes are key (and I agree that trail shoes are better than boots). My feet swell a lot when doing it so I would definitely recommend something that is supportive, and allows room for that to happen.

Don’t try and carry too much - they give loads of snacks and water en route. I do use diarlyte sachets in my water bottles both times and they are really helpful. It’s a great day out!

Would you recommend a stick (or two) as well?
(I don't know the Norfolk coast but there's some coast paths where they're a must imo)

I would do some practise walks. I thought I was pretty fit, but DH and I did a half marathon walk last year - all of it on the flat and by the end I was desperate for it to be over. I love walking, but the flatness (towpaths) meant we used muscles in the same way for 13 miles, no variety of up and down. I find it easier climbing mountains.

I did a walking marathon a few years ago and found it tough after the 18 miles mark. If I were you, I would train for it.

Get some really comfortable walking shoes or boots and break them in, and also maybe some really soft trainers like Skechers. Practise walking in each of them to find out which suits you best. definitely don;t wear new shoes on the day!

Well padded socks are very important. Bridgedale are excellent. Worth the money.

If it's the walk I think it is (usually in May) then I've seen people doing this event on several occasions.
It is often warm, there is no/little shelter so you need to dress accordingly, electrolytes in water and assume your feet will swell a lot.
The coastal path varies in terrain so choice of footwear needs to accommodate sand, solid earth with rocks stuck in it, and if it does stick to the coastal route, the shingle stretch between Weybourne and Cley. That is really hard going.