Can I train for a 2-day 100kms walk in 12 weeks?!

[Dancingqueen24]

Just that really! 🤣

I’m signed up fir the above event which has been cancelled and rearranged multiple times because of lockdown. My training is not where it should be as I’m homeschooling 3 primary aged children. The most exercise I am currently able to fit in is daily dog walks, c25k runs (on week 4) and a few hour long cardio weight training videos. Obviously the children return to school on the 8th which gives me 11 weeks where I get time to myself. A couple of friends are expressing doubt to me but I want to do this. Am I crazy? Can it be done? Am I going to hurt myself?

I should say that pre-children I did tonnes of walking... I used to be able to walk miles and miles up and down hills etc and completed the 3 peaks about 7 years ago.

If anyone has any insight into such a challenge as this please can you share it with me? Thank you xx

I don’t know. I did a one day 26 mile walk after lots of all-day walking as training and to be honest was knackered at the end, not sure I’d have managed a second day of the same. But it depends on you, how young and fit you are, how much stamina you have. If you’re only used to 5k though you need to seriously get used to spending full days walking.

Yes you can do this!

The important thing is to sort out your kit - you need comfy trainers, good socks that won't dig in after 20 miles, and clothes that don't chafe even if wet, hot or whatever.

Build your fitness generally, and then do some longer walks so are are used to long times on your feet. I'm more of a runner than a walker, somcant realky advise on a training plan. But I know that someone who has previously had a good base of fitness/stamina can run a marathon on a 12 week plan (not quickly, but a solid 'get round')

I take it it's real life event, not a virtual?

There are FB groups for the likes of Run to the Stones (which can be walked) and you may well find walkers there with whom you can share training ideas

I did a marathon distance walk (so 26.2 miles, is that 42k???) with very little training, not trying to be clever but I left it fairly late to sign up. Think I had about 5 days to train and I made it up to 20 miles beforehand. I was absolutely fine until mile 23 and then got progressively slow. I was fine at the end but then I made the mistake of sitting down! I was pretty stiff the next day to be honest but if you can find a plan and put the training in then yes, I think you could do it. Only thing is it takes HOURS to do the training - when doing a decent distance I averaged 4 or even 3 miles an hour - I walk fairly fast but couldn't keep up speed for long, so eg a 10 mile walk would take me around 2.5 hours - so will you have the time to yourself for this??

5 weeks... Not 5 days!!

You definitely can OP with your walking background.

Your fitness will come back quickly if you can devote proper time to walking.

The main thing for you I think would be back to back walks, to get yourself used to walking when you're already tired. Probably best over a weekend, but you could walk in the morning and again in the evening if you were pushed for time.

I would not expect you to be walking really really long distances as part of the 12 weeks - yes you'd probably want to build up to a walk of 20 miles or so and do that on tired legs if you can. But more than that on a consistent basis will just tire you out.

Get your kit dialed in as well, make absolutely sure that you have the right kit on the day by training in it and testing out shoes, socks, shorts, food etc etc

Yes, you absolutely can. You have a good base level of fitness by the sounds of things. I have done a lot of crazy challenges and to be honest your mind gives up before your body does so believe you can and let that carry you through. Good luck!

Thank you so much everyone, I needed that confidence boost!

SunnySomer - thank you! The 5k is for running. I absolutely have walked miles and miles before now, I used to walk a hilly 17 miles or so on a Saturday for fun! I think I’ve just lost my confidence, my fitness and the doubts from others is making me feel quite stressed.

AuntiStella - yes it’s a real life event. Great tip re FB groups, thank you. I’ll have a look. And thanks for the other tips.

LouScott - thank you! Glad it was 5 weeks 🤣. With the children at school I’ll get a bit more time to train, and I have a treadmill. And the days are getting longer which I think all helps. I need to sit down and plan training sessions. This has focused my mind so thank you!

AOwlAOwlAOwl - thank you. Such a great tip to do back to back walks. I’ll try and do some of those weekly - do you think I’ll get my fitness back more quickly doing it that way?

Dueindecember10 - thank you thank you! I just needed to know that people who’ve done this kind of thing recently don’t think I’m crazy! Thank you.

Now I’ll get my training plan sorted! 😁 thanks all of you xx

I did one about 4 years ago and I did the three peaks a couple of years ago. I found the three peaks harder and more painful.
You can definitely do it. Most of the challenge is mental and you will feel amazing when you finish. I walked everywhere I could, school runs, to the shops, to work. The miles added up every day, even if they weren’t all done at the same time.
I would definitely recommend training with the rucksack that you will be carrying too as you are probably not used to carrying that weight for hours on end so shoulder muscles need training too.
Good luck!

I think so OP, though the aim of the back to back walks is more to get your body used to how you're gonna feel on that second day and your mind used to pushing through when you don't feel fresh.

I'd try and approach it similarly to how I would for a long run, so 3 weeks of gradually increasing distance/difficulty, one week a step back week where you do the same number of walks, just shorter/easier ones which helps your muscles recover to go into the next block of hard training. And yes try and do a back to back walk every week and one of the back to back walks should be your longest walk of the week.

Yes I think so. I did 100k race over two days with not enough training. I won't lie, I was destroyed by the end of it but it was one of the best things I've ever done. So rewarding. Which event are you doing?

Yes totally agree with back to backs and carry heavyish kit to get your body used to it

Depends on your general fitness and walking experience, plus terrain. I've done 20+ miles on several occasions without specific training (just normal fog walking) but you are talking about over 3x the distance. After one days walk I ached a lot and spent the next day taking ibroprofen! (was in my early 40's)

Ps we were in a very hilly part of the U.K.!

Good fitting boots are essential with ankle support if terrain isn't flat

You can definitely do it. Can you do some practise sections of the actual route? I think understanding the terrain is the biggest obstacle to overcome. If you know how much is hilly, how much is hard pavement or steeply down hill or scree and slippery mud etc then you can prep for it.

Thank you so much all. You e all been so supportive! Training kicks off properly this week when children back at school! Just a quick thought, can anyone recommend some great lightweight supportive footwear? I have traditional walking boots but I’m wondering whether I’ll need something more lightweight? Thanks all x

You’ll need plenty of socks, try and change them a couple of times a day as it’s when they get sweaty that they cause blisters.

What's the terrain, and do you need/want ankle support?

If not, then trail running trainers might be a good choice - lighter than walking boots but sturdy enough for the distance, but obviously no ankle support so possibly entirely unsuitable!

@superram - thank you - great tip!

@AuntieStella - it’s a hilly coastal path. I’ve always worn boots so feel I need ankle and arch support. I have leather boots which I love but some people say they may be too heavy and/or too hot? Just wondering what others’ experiences are... it’s such a long way. Really want as much support as possible

I think I'm probably doing the same event as you! And I'm in exactly the same boat 🤦‍♀️
Not had time to do anything with lockdown and having the children at home. But, training starts on Monday and we can absolutely do this 👏👏👏😊

@Eliza72 yay, we can do do this! Are you doing the Jurassic challenge?

Yes! If you're after support on social media then there's a really friendly facebook page which gives loads of advice and tips.
Search for The Ultra Challenge Club. Lovely group. There's another one called unofficial action challenge group or something... also a good group.

I did it 2 or 3 years ago with limited training and it was pretty brutal but do-able....