Walking a Marathon (in a day)

Thank you all--I need your positive thoughts on Saturday, especially up the hills! x
My daughter and three grandsons are coming to Salisbury. Bless her, she said to the boys (10, 8, and 6) "It's not every day your G'ma walks a marathon". To which they replied "Let's go and cheer her over the finishing line".
What better incentive could I have?!

My son-in-law would come as well, but he is doing a cycle 'marathon' in the Alps--(it's ok, she has spoken to him since he passed that terrible scene at Annency. So terribly sad, even more supportive thoughts are need for those 2 little girls.)

Good luck Sue, I'm sure you will storm through! Will be willing you on

You can do it! I hope you have some nice weather. xxx

Just 4 days to go now! Then I shall be walking the Spire to Spire 26 mile trekathon. We start at Winchester Cathedral at 7.30am on 8th Sept and I hope to get to Salisbury Cathedral by nightfall! I'm not taking a torch, so I HAVE to get there before dark.
Please send some positive supportive thoughts winging my way, especially between 12 noon and 5pm--I will probably be struggling then.

Thank you all SO much for all your help as I have been trying to train over the past couple of months. You are all great nanas and poppas--brilliant!
Thank you and cakes all round.

Sue xxx

Thank you all for your supportive comments--I just can't tell you how much it helps. I will make myself hear your voices if I have a dip or meet the dreaded 'wall' at 18 miles!

Annodomini, thanks for pointing out that the bracket had got itself attached to the web link, I'll write it here again, without brackets.. www.justgiving.com/SueBSmith71

And Greatnan, I'll let you know if I'm off to Salford again. We were renting a small apartment so I could look after 3 of my grandsons whilst my daughter was working. Had a great visit to the imperial War Museum. I bought the DVD of Carrie's War which we all watched that evening. I was sorry to read that Nina Bawden (who wrote the book, based on her own WWII evacuation experiences) had died a few days later.

NfkDumpling. I decided agains boots for my walking marathon (after long hard thoughts) but I found boots rubbed my ankle bone, so I'm wearing Meindl walking shoes. They have served me well around Richmond Park, although I realise my second toes are longer than my big toes, so I'm just hoping these toes don't blister. I must remember the Compeed! By 18 miles I might find myself wishing I had your strong walking type sandals!

Please keep the encouraging comments coming, they are so much appreciated.

Good luck, GMiney, and much respect. Three miles is my limit!

But - while all you walkers are assembled please can you give me some advise on boots? I always wear sandals (strong walking type sandals) all summer and last week trod in a hidden hole and badly sprained my ankle. DH Who Must Be Obeyed (for now) says I must get myself some decent boots. I have some Gortex waterproof indestructibles for cold weather, but wearing boots in summer always gives me blisters between my sweaty hot toes. Does anyone know of a well ventilated cool boot available anywhere?

GMiney when I clicked your link, it said 'page not found', but then I realised you had a bracket at the end of the link and when I deleted that, I did find your page. Good luck with the walk - I do hope the weather is kind to you.

I will be rooting for you - best of luck.
It would be nice if you were ever in Salford when I am in Swinton, visiting my sister! I would love to meet you.

I so appreciate all the suggestions, support (and donations) from fellow gransnetters, Thank you all, it is really appreciated.

I just need one more favour--please send me some encouraging 'Mo-cheer' thoughts on the 8th September.

I set off from Winchester Cathedral at 7.30 am, to walk my way to the Salisbury Cathedral finish line. With only 8 days to go to this 26 mile charity trekathon--I'm feeling quite excited.

I'm not far off my fund-raising target either (for music therapy for sick and vulnerable children), please see my web page at www.justgiving.com/SueBSmith71) Every £1 counts, and £10 provides a music therapy session for a child to whom it will make a huge difference to their lives.
This is what has inspired me to train for this trek over the past months.

Surely there must be some other Gransnetters doing it??? If so, please let me know.

Thanks again, Frankel,
Such good advice--although I'm a reasonably sociable person, I'm also a happy loner (paradoxical I know, but that's how it is) so as I enjoy the countryside and love both Winchester and Salisbury Cathedrals, as well as wanting to raise money for Classic FM's charity 'Nordoff Robbins', you wisely point out that a marathon walk is not chat-time. Friendly support, yes, but social chit-chat another time and place!
Your advice re starting position also useful, especially as I'm a novice at this.
Have a good week--

I'm away in Salford this week, looking after grandsons while daughter is working early in the mornings, so I'm not sure where I might be able to get a good walk in the afternoons--any ideas anyone?

I run at my own pace - quite slow. In running races, the elite runners start at the front and the rest try to line up where their speed suggests, guided by marker boards with finishing times on them. It helps reduce the amount of bunching and passing. It may be the same for walkers. If so, you will know how long you expect to take - so line up at the start near the appropriate board. Often, there is a nervous but nice atmosphere at the start until people get going. I always run alone and use what breath I have to get round. I am always amazed by the ladies who run half marathons and even marathons together, chatting all the way round. I would say try to start in the right place for you, walk at your own pace - and don't get chatting to somebody who walks faster than you. You will use your breath and energy being sociable - and you may regret it later on.

Thanks again nightowl--again very reassuring. Sorry I sounded quite unfoundedly arrogant in last post. I only walk at max 3 miles an hour. That's why I can't afford to go any slower! And I could never, ever run for anything farther than an approaching bus. I also take my hat off to Frankel.

Thank you for the flowers. I've just been watching the amazing Mo Farah, and the wonderful Tom Daley at tonight's Olympics so I'll 'fly the flag' and keep them as inspiration (along with Jessica Ennis et al last week.

GrandmaMiney I know that on the Moonwalk the atmosphere was fantastic and there were women of all shapes and sizes, and all speeds. I was quite slow (but not the slowest!) but no-one minded and everyone just kept to their own pace. I'm sure nobody will expect you to slow down. I would love to do the Moonwalk again, but I don't think I could do a proper walk on hilly terrain like you are going to be doing. You are very brave! And as for running a marathon like Frankel - I take my hat off to both of you

Thanks shysal and nightowl for supportive comments.
I have mixed feelings about 'other participants'! For a start most of them are likely to walk way past me in the first mile, esp if they have youth on their side!!--and whilst I'm happy to be at the back on my own, I am selfishly thinking I do need to keep my 'own pace' and don't want to be slowed down. Maybe I'm being too honest there, as I'm usually quite a supportive person. I just know I shall need to keep going.
But I'm sure you're right and everyone will be in encouraging mode--just like these wonderful Olympics. I have found the way everyone unites to support all the participants, whichever country they're from, is almost as inspiring as the athletes themselves. I went to watch the diving last night, and walked a further 10 miles to add to the 20 the day before. Great fun--but my muscles did tell me they knew it, last night!

nightowl-- I was hoping I'd done my last long walk! But I see I shall have to fit in one more in 2 weeks time--probably wise, thank you.

Have a great weekend all you great WaM (inaday) forum members

ps to add to the step discussion Frankel, Joanna Hall, who runs walking courses in London, reckons 52,400 steps for a marathon. I reckon I average 2100 steps a mile if my Fitbug is correct.

Yes Bags I have my tapering down to a fine art Just need to learn how to taper up!

GrandmaMiney I am full of admiration for your dedication. I have done the London Moonwalk twice (at least that was all on the flat!) and the training programme included tapering down as Frankel said. It recommended a 20 mile walk two weeks before the event followed by two weeks of rest with shorter walks every two to three days. What was also recommended was gentle stretching exercises - yoga is good but any stretching will do, just to condition the muscles and help the body to cope with the strain on the day. My memory is a bit hazy as it's three years since the last time I did it, but you can find the programme on the Moonwalk website. Good luck!

I've found your 'tapering down' idea useful too, frankel. No need to think of myself as a wimp when I can't go at the hedging three days running now. I'm tapering down during my recovery days

60-70,000 steps is a very good guess. If I'd been a better anorak, I'd have measured my step more accurately. It seems the average step is 2.2 ft for women and 2.5 ft for men and 2 steps equals one stride. You live and learn!

I knew someone would try to work it out! I guessed it would be about 60-70,000, so wasn't far off.

Oh dear. Here's my anorak side. There are 1,661,220 inches in an official marathon distance [26 miles and 385 yards] so divide that by your average step. Runners on Runners World have calculated 30-33,000 steps but walking, I reckon maybe 85,000 for me? Of course, when walking or running a marathon, one tends to waver back and forth across the official distance line [a blue line in the London Marathon] so mere mortals, as opposed to elite runners, travel further than the 'marathon' distance. My Garmin said I ran an extra half mile in my London Marathon - as if 26 miles 385 yards wasn't enough!

Don't forget the other participants will help you along on the day, I am sure the atmosphere will keep you going. Hope your training continues well, it sounds right on track!
I have just started using my pedometer again, aiming for at least 10,000 steps a day. I wonder how many there would be in a marathon!

Hi Frankel,
Your post on Tuesday really helped. When I read it early yesterday, I looked out of the window, saw the sun coming up and decided to go for it yesterday!
I had a wonderful walk in Richmond, and did two laps of the 'walls' of the Park. So I clocked up just over 20 miles. I admit I had to push myself at times, but it was quite hot! On the second lap I was rewarded by the sight of about 8 stags standing in the small river to cool off. It was beautiful--and the park is beautful. I know I shall enjoy the trekathon experience, and the countryside we wll be walking through. So now I will just be doing the shorter walks to taper down. Thank you so much for your encouraging and helpful posts.

I hope it helps - you'll know on September 9th! Most of all, enjoy the experience. As for the Olympics, it has rather passed me by despite having gone to watch the hockey on Tuesday morning. I am not really a watcher of Olympic sports and all the hype tends to turn me off, rather than on. I'm glad people have enjoyed themselves but still, I will settle for it all to end safely. So, my level of Olympic excitement has stayed about the same. I still wonder if we can afford the expense and whether there will be a significant, lasting payback. I may have missed something but I don't feel any shame, feeling as I do. Good luck for 8 September.

Thanks, Frankel, that is a real help.
I have read bits and pieces about training--maybe too much, and I was getting disheartened. My walking marathon/trekathon is 4 weeks from this Saturday. With your advice, I shall have another go at the double round of Richmond Park on Saturday, which should give me a good 20 miles. Then I'll keep it to the shorter walks three or two times a week for the remaining weeks.

This is not a race, so it does not have that pressure and I do want to enjoy the beautiful countryside, as well as raising as much money as possible for the Music Therapy for vulnerable, sick and disabled children charity.

Thanks again--hope you are enjoying the Olympics. I'm exhilarated by it all--and so ashamed of being a such a sceptic before hand. I saw some of the Triathlon around the Serpentine when I was walking in Hyde Park, caught a bit of the road cycle race in Fulham (en route to my allotment), and went to the Olympic Stadium on Tuesday--it was all Amazing and the true Olympian spirit is inspiring. Jessica Ennis is my hero!

When I was training for running the London Marathon, the idea was 4 exercise days a week, including just one long training run per week. 'Peak Week' [including the longest training run of all] was 4 weeks ahead of the Marathon, with the final 3 weeks 'tapering' down to the big day. Rest days are important too. If walking follows a similar pattern, you shouldn't be walking very long distances more than once a week and you should soon be into the taper zone.

Hi GillieB,
Hurray did it! All so exciting.
If it's any consolation to you, I've got my comeuppance today. Walked around Richmond Park once, intending to do it twice, but I was absolutely knackered!
I did 15 miles in all today, but boy am I paying for it--aches in quite a few places.
Actually I'm really disappointed in myself, I did 22.5 miles a couple of weeks ago and was tired, but not achey. I hope today is just a blip.

If any of the exercisers on this page have any tips, PLEASE help. I just have to do the whole marathon on 8 Sept, and at the moment I don't know if I should get right our there again on Wed and do the two rounds, or if I should take the ibuprofen and rest?!

Tomorrow I'm going to an evening of athletics in the Olympic Stadium (i'm so excited) so maybe I can absorb some of the energy there to boost my batteries. Nil desperandum...