26 mile hike/walk - training starts here!

[Bemyclementine]

I've decided to sign up for the Macmillen mighty hike. I posted asking for opinions on how hard it would be, and have decided to take the plunge. I got loads of really useful advice and encouragement on my other thread so decided to record my training progress here.

I will be aiming for a Sunday "long walk" that I will increase in distance as I go along. During the week, I will do what I can but it will come down to lunchtime walks, evening walking workouts on YouTube and fitting walks in on a day off or after work with the DC when it's light enough.

Today's walk was just 4 miles, but it's a start. Very windy, drizzly, slippery muddy tracks. I was in my (decent) wellies! Which I'm used to walking up to 8 milesinbut not done that for ages. It took me 1hr 20 minutes, my pace was very variable depending on terrain. Also stopped to take pics abd I needed a wee stop (thanks, bushes...)

i’ve done 2 of these (not the Norfolk one) and they’re amazing days. Both times I got up to about 18 miles in my training.

the key is comfy socks and boots, and keeping well hydrated and fed on the day.

fundraising has been ok- set up your Gofundme page and post it regularly on your social media pages with updates of your training walks. I got a flurry at the start, Nan other one in the run up to the events and then a final lot after I’d completed it. cake sales at work boosted my totals too.

if you can find the FB page for your walk they can be helpful (but a bit annoying at times)

When I did mine (quite a while ago now) im pretty sure I read that if you don't raise it you pay the rest to make it up to the £250
Not sure if it's still the same now though.

I have signed up for the peaks one. I'm a bit worried it's going to be harder than I think - I have run a marathon before but that's over much more quickly, and it was London, so fairly flat! I need to get some walking trainers sorted.

@mynameisnotmichaelcaine this is my concern! Although it's relatively flat in Norfolk, there are some hills, steps , and shingle beach.

Training update......"training" majes me laugh. Walked u.5 miles today in my new boots. Pretty good, less muddy, better weather. Last Mike was harder but was happy I settled into the walk and wasn't thinking about turning for home.

I've walked this far before but it's always been "going for a walk" with family, either older, even less fit than me, or with dc on bikes (stop start...) I definitely felt the difference today going alone.

I did the peak one a few years ago, it’s for a brilliant cause. They put on so much food that you really don’t need to take anything with you. Think I did a 20 mile training walk in the lead up but that was the furthest we went until the actual day. I did do a lot of my training in the area of the walk so that I knew what to expect as well.

It absolutely poured down the day I did mine so would recommend a waterproof bag with a change of underwear!

I did the 26 mile winter walk through London last Jan as well and it was so much easier!

@HenDogismylife people do mention that there's lots of food, that's useful to know and less to carry.

I do need to get some better kit.

Day off today, I have half an hour between 2 things ay school so quick walk instead of sitting in my car! Feeling OK after yesterday, I won't lie my legs were tired last night!

Another update, more for myself really. I've done a few longer walks, each Sunday, between 6 and 8.5 miles. A few shorter brisk walks of 3 miles ish. It's going well. Aiming for 10 miles tomorrow! I'm pleased with my progress, have been varying the terrain, the longest walk was along the coast, some mud sandy soil, hills....

10 miles completed!

Hello@Bemyclementine . I’ve been sort of following your posts on the walking marathon you were doing, but you’ve stopped posting updates, you’ve not given up have you, are you still going to do it ? I was looking for some inspiration !

Hi @Starlightgazing , no I haven't given up. The big walk is on Saturday! I did 20 miles a couple of weeks ago, learnt a few lessons there (eat and drink more!) 17 miles the week before. My last couple of long walks have been 10 and 12 miles, and I've found them to be easy,so hoping I'll be OK on the day!

Well done @Bemyclementine

i’m not sure what part of the country your walk is in but this weekend is looking like it’s going to be warm and sunny so don’t forget a sun hat, suncream and drink even more than you think you need to

hope it all goes well

all the best.
looks (so far) like the weather will play ball.
don't forget the sunscreen.

@Bemyclementine Good, am glad you are going for it ! They are quite long walks. May I ask, did you do them solo, or with a walking group? Am thinking of joining a group, for moral support, and for some one to pick me up in a car when I collapse half way round !

@Starlightgazing I've done some alone, and have a couple of friends that I've done others with (separately, so just one friend at a time) one is an experienced walker which has been helpful.

@Bemyclementine Thats nice that they’ve been supportive, that must have made a huge difference ! I don’t think I’ve got anyone that I can do that sort of walking with, I might sort some routes out and go it alone.

@Starlightgazing look at local walking groups online/on Facebook. Search for "Hike..your county".

Where abouts are you?

Hi@Bemyclementine . I’m not too far from Norwich, so will have a look and see what’s available there. Wishing you the best of luck with your walk, and I bet your walking friends who have helped you are proud of you. Will they be there to see you off or meet you at the finish ?

Thank you, I'm feeling a bit nervous now! One if my walking buddies has also signed up so we'll be going together. I've met some great new friends and am looking fir the next challenge now!

You're in the same sort of area as me then. I've looked at others to do but the sponsorship would be difficult to keep doing.

@Bemyclementine Dont be nervous. I’m sure you will do amazingly well. Just signing up and arriving at the start is an achievement in itself. Having the previous training and support, and a friend to walk with, will help you enormously. You are much braver than me, walking a marathon. If I can produce a miracle, I may try the half one next year, but we’ll see. I may have to find someone to train me. Wishing you all the very best, and there will be loads of support on the day, I’m sure. Please let us know how you get on . Good luck !

@Starlightgazing just to let you know, I bloody did it!! I was amazing, a few really tough miles (3 miles on a deep shingle beach....and the last couple of miles) but otherwise great! So we'll organised too.

The weatger was great, sunny and dry but for the first half a cool sea mist and breeze. Second half was warmer, but still a nice breeze. I raised nearly £500 too which I'm pleased about!

Fantastic!! That's great to hear well done, you will be on a high forever!

@Bemyclementine Fantastic !! Congratulations! You must be so proud of what you achieved. And what an amazing amount of money to raise, a cause that is so close to many of us. Bet your walking friends are proud of you ! What next? You mentioned you were looking for a new challenge….Do you run? How about London marathon? Whatever you do, I’m sure you’ll smash it. Oh, and you’ve inspired me to register interest for the next Mighty Hike. Only the half marathon, due to health issues, but am up for it, I think ! Go and put your feet up, you’ve deserved it !!! Well done.x

very well done indeed!

take it easy tomorrow, your feet have deserved a little rest.