Walking Forum
Main Boards => Welcome => Topic started by: daniel22 on 11:13:05, 29/06/20
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Hi everyone, just wanted to say a quick hello!I have joined because I am gearing up to a 40mile walk (Lyke Wake Walk) and am interested in hints, tips, advice etc. I haven't ever done a walk like this before - I'll be spending a few months training for it. As a bit of background...I am overweight (quite a lot!) but generally fit - when the gyms were open I was there 5-6 times a week doing all sorts like PT, steady state cardio, weight lifting, spinning etc. So I am fat but fit haha. I am hoping over the next few months to trim down quite a lot.
Nice to meet you all :)Daniel
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Welcome from Portsmouth. I've never even been to a gym, I'm too mean to spend the money, my 'gym' is my local woods, fields, and footpaths.
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Thanks gunwharfman. Currently trawling the forum for other peoples experiences and training plans
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Hello Daniel
You remind me of someone I met doing the Weardale Way, he was a big lad!
He was struggling in the heat, constantly sitting down and drinking massive amounts of liquids.
For me, starting out, it was just about getting the correct walking boots/shoes that were comfortable. Then finding some local walking routes to see how far I could manage without stretching myself too far, just building up walking strength. Local Walking shops have very experienced staff who can offer advice on all the gear required. Weather proof gear will be important. Your size may be an issue, I'm size 14 walking boots, which were difficult to find to try on, most cheaper ones fell apart when wet. Decent footwear was the key for me, although I only do day walks, so I'm sure help will arrive from others!
I do a lot of preparation regarding route to be walked so have a good understanding of where I'm heading.
Hope all goes well and enjoy!
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Thanks dodgylegs! I am hoping to be a bit lighter by then. I usually drink around 4-5L of water on an average day, so i imagine I will be carrying a decent amount more for this trek! So every pound I lose will help carry that haha.
I have some pretty good boots that I have worn in, but I'm going to get a pair of walking shoes too - something a bit lighter if the boots start to weigh me down. And extra socks. And shorts that will stop chafing because that would be unbearable.
I plan on buiding up a bit of a plan - starting out with 2x5mile walks through the week and a 10mile walk at the weekend, and each week or two increasing it slightly. I'm not bothered about getting a cracking time. I just want to finish it within the 24 hours. if it takes me that full time I'm not bothered, as long as it's not over!
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Hi and welcome to the forum.
Are you walking with other people or do you have to do the route finding?
Are you walking supported or are you carrying everything with you?
Your slowly increasing 2x5 mile and 1x10 mile plan sounds good. You don't have to increase all the way up to 40 miles, when I did the LWW I'd never walked more than 25 miles in a day. Make sure that you are decreasing your distance in the final couple of weeks.
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Thank you Ridge :) I will be walking with a friend. As for support, I'm trying to figure out what the support entails. We'd like to navigate the route ourselves with no guide, but would like the support I have read about at the checkpoints - like extra gear we don't have to carry, food and fluids etc. Not sure how it works yet. Might have to go it without the support and just carry everything.
I'm hoping to get in two 30mile walks before the actual day. If I can do that I'm fairly happy I'll manage 40miles. I did The Great North Run and had never run 13 miles a day in my life (but had done shorter distances) and I managed that ok......despite breaking my foot at the mile 3 marker, not realising (thinking I just pulled something) and ran the next ten miles on a broken foot haha
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Supported is just finding someone stupid enough to drive to meet you at road crossings.
It is nearly 40 years since I walked it and yet I will never forget the joy of being handed a bacon sandwich after a long section across the moors.
If the pair of you don't have the skills already then practice navigation, you don't want to wander a couple of miles in the wrong direction.
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Thanks Ridge. I don't think I know anyone who would be willing to meet me at the checkpoints haha so we will go unsupported I think.
I have a few local 5-15mile routes near me. I was going to try brushing up navigation skills while out on those.
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Welcome to the forum from the South Lakes, Daniel :)
My advice would be to get out there and do some walking on a regular basis - gradually upping the mileage.
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Hello Richard :) I can only fit 3 miles in today :( but gonna do 5 tomorrow, 5 on Thursday and 5 on Friday. Then maybe 10 on Sunday. Most I have done was walking around Paris - probably around 12 miles in a day, and that wasn't any issue.
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Hello Richard :) I can only fit 3 miles in today :( but gonna do 5 tomorrow, 5 on Thursday and 5 on Friday. Then maybe 10 on Sunday. Most I have done was walking around Paris - probably around 12 miles in a day, and that wasn't any issue.
Little and often during the week is good, as long as you up the mileage at the weekends. What area do you live in?
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I'm near Darlington, Co Durham. About 16 miles north of Osmotherley. Yeah I am doing smaller amounts through the week, then longer at weekends. And over the next 8 weeks I will increase until I have done a couple of 30milers. Then two weeks of reduced distance, then Lyke Wake! And likely my demise haha
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Welcome Daniel from Aberdeenshire. As am overweight walker myself, I find that on the flat I am faster than about 90% of people. Hot weather and long, steep ascents slow me down and increase water intake significantly, especially if combined. So, any loss of weight you can manage would help in those situations. To prevent chafing on longer walks, I have found wearing a pair of Ron Hills under my walking trousers works a treat and I don’t get too hot.
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Welcome from Manchester :)
In addition to the advice already given about physical training, the mental aspect could turn out to be important:- developing the right mindset for long continuous distances, which takes time. I've heard a few tales of very fit day walkers who usually walk just a few miles per day really flagging on their first attempts at distances like these, not due to lack of fitness or energy but their minds are constantly urging them to stop. Part of any lengthy challenge is in the head!.
Edit to add:-
To prevent chafing on longer walks...
Very good point: chafing could make it an absolute nightmare. I use Bodyglide ahletes lubricant, excellent and always prevents problems.
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Thanks for the welcomes and advice everyone! Very friendly place!
I already have blisters from just the 3 miles haha I think my walking boots are trash. My heel lifts up in them and the back chafes.
To prevent chafing in my thighs i will literally try anything. Id bathe in a tub of vaseline if it helped!
Aye the mental side will be tough. My friend I’m walking with is great company, we have a good laugh. Hopefully that will see us through the tougher times!
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Good to do the challenge with someone - you can encourage each other when one of you hits a bit of a wall.
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If your heel is lifting, you might get some benefit from searching online of heel lock lacing techniques. If it works for you, it will be cheaper than a new pair of boots.
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Thank you, I have never heard of heel lock lacing! It'll come in very handy!
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I don’t know if anyone who has posted here will see this but just thought I’d check in and say hi. Still plodding along and racking up miles :) nearly a stone lighter which is nice - only about 6 more to go haha!
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I was wondering how you were getting on.
Nearing those '30 milers' yet?
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Not quite 30 milers lol. After spending a lot of time walking I think maybe I was being a bit ambitious wanting to do Lyke Wake in 4 weeks time. Listening to my body, i think it would screw up my knees or feet lol. So i’ll hold off on it for a little longer and build the miles up.
Got the easy 4 day mont blanc trip next year, need to be prepared for that too!
Found a lost dog walking in the woods today and got her back to her owner. I wish i could keep her lol
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Haha 30 miles doesn't sound far until you try to walk it! I find 16 miles is about my limit, then I've only been out walking for five years!
I'm just a bit North from you, decided to walk Weardale Way, by day walks, which helped me improve my distances and navigation! Loved it!!
Where I you doing your walking?
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Mostly either really local or up to Osmotherley and up the moors. Osmotherley is usually good for a decent 11 miles. Im really bad on inclines :(
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Greetings from North Cheshire.
For the Chafing on your thighs .
Try wearing football shorts under your walking trousers .
Or Lycra shorts . ;)
Also on your days off from walking ,try gentle cycling to build up your quadriceps thigh muscles .
This will toughen up your legs for hills and distance . :)
As well as all the walks you are already doing building up the calf muscles . O0
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Hi zizag
Chafing is a thing of the past. Got some great boxers, completely negate the problem! Yeah I cycle quite a bit already, an do spin classes5 times a week.
My biggest annoyance is being out of breath on inclines. So annoying lol
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Glad you sorted out the chafing ::) ,
Don't worry to much about been out of breath on the Inclines .
Lots of Cyclists struggle on the flat Lol ;D ,
If you want to get better with your breathing on the Inclines ,
You Just have to persevere .
( Try deep breathing exercises) build up your lung power
treat it as a challenge .
Keep trying .
O0