Any tips on how to walk 24 hours straight?

1. 84

   glassvisageposted 10 years ago

   Any tips on how to walk 24 hours straight?
   
   I participate in the American Cancer society's fundraiser Relay for Life every year, and this year I want to bump up my donations by walking for the entire 24-hour event. I have heard it's been done before but I am certainly nervous I won't be able to finish. I've run two marathons,  however, and feel I am in good shape. From Internet research,  it looks like comfortable socks and shoes are key. Any other tips for training, preparation, etc. would be much appreciated!

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2. 63

   PhoenixVposted 10 years ago

   I would be particularly concerned about getting blisters on the feet and how well the ankles and knee joints hold up. I would get the best shoes out there, along with insoles or inserts. I would carry or have some kind of liniment for the ankles. It sounds like you are physically capable of doing it, but I worry that blisters and joint strain from the shock, may be your worst enemies. I would try to walk the 24 hours as carefully as I could somehow reducing the potential blisters and joint pain.

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      glassvisageposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you! I am dreading the blisters but will do my best to prevent them, and have Band-Aids handy The linament is a great idea!

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   Copper Manposted 10 years ago

   I would alter my gait. Walk at a good stride for a while and then amble. Do an Indian jog; it's more of a shuffle than a jog, taken in very short steps barely lifting the feet from the ground to avoid jarring; you can do that for hours without tiring. Perhaps walk backward from time to time to break the monotony. Avoid racing around the track; you're in it for the time, not the distance traveled. Good luck.

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      glassvisageposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I think that is great advice and will really make a difference. Thank you so much!

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   tsmogposted 10 years ago

   I venture you have a good grasp of the physical aspects that may be encountered. I presume there will be aid stations you will be able to take advantage of? However, I would personally look further into a practice called 'Mindfulness,' which focuses on principals for an individual to in the presence of 'now.' A lot is based on breathing and realizing what is occurring of the body and the mind, therefore the mind-body connection. I know from long hikes into hours passed twelve in groups eventually I would stop seeing the passing environment and saw mostly the steps of the person in front of me. Then it became one - step - at - a - time literally.

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      glassvisageposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you so much - I hadn't even considered that side of this experience and I'm very glad you pointed it out. I think that will have a lot to do with finishing...

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      tsmogposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      You are welcome. I think to overcome the physical is not necessarily the power of the mind, yet the melding of the two. Awareness of both to achieve the task. Benefit from the experience holistically. What an example of fasting? Spiritual experience?

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5. 68

   Larry Fieldsposted 8 years ago

   Hi glass visage,
   The other commenters have some good advise. A word of encouragement: There are people who RUN 24 hours straight, in an endurance race called the Western States 100, as in 100 miles. California's WS-100 starts in the Squaw Valley ski resort, and finishes in Auburn. It's all on trail. The cumulative elevation gains and elevation losses are humongous.
   
   The very best time for the WS-100 is less than 17 hours. However finishing in 24 is considered to be quite an achievement, by premier endurance athletes.
   
   I know about the WS-100, because I hiked with a guy who actually ran it (in approximately 30 hours). I have hiked a few small segments of that trail. If I tried to run it, my aging knees would fall off!

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      glassvisageposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for  the information!

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