We did the Shine marathon walk year before last. I really enjoyed it but everyone struggled a bit because it was through the night, so suggest a day one.
It's a lot. Particularly the training, which you have to do really. I loved it because I'm quite isolated so training was an opportunity to meet up with friends (without going out drinking), but after the 100k my mates had kids (whereas mine were already a bit older). Then the Shine walk was about 8 of us (family) and I was very keen to sign up for something else after, but noone else really wanted to.
I was lucky as I did the 100k with someone with some experience and made sure we were ready. Whereas I think noone really believed me that the marathon would be 'testing' because 'it's just walking' and 'it's not like we're running it'. So I really trained whereas my BIL/SIL didn't, and therefore inevitably really struggled.
I would do one a year if I could. I work well with goals and it keeps the impetus up on my fitness which in turn keeps me sane and the best version of myself. It's why I hold park run so sacred.
I also did the Action Challenge London to Brighton (100k)a few years back and that was really really brutal. Much more than you think. 24 hours through the night across different terrains. Even the marathon was quite testing in the end and that was on London streets. We were quite broken when we got back and I lost all of my toenails! So basically - do a LOT of practice to make sure you know your boundaries. But the atmosphere and people will massively help on the day. I love doing stuff like that and heartily recommend it. Although you'll think it was a terrible idea towards the end.
@purplepadma they happen at the end of summer, don't they? That's plenty of time to train - but the "problem" with walking is that it does eat the hours.
At least doing an organised event, you won't lose lots of time to checking navigation etc.
I'm planning to do the Peak District 3 Peaks this summer, which is also 26miles. I'm expecting it to take about 12 hours on the day, and am stocking up on audiobooks for the training!
@louisa_ I need to think about how much I could realistically train, I would need people to drive me to and from start and finish points of sections of the coast path I think
@purplepadma@louisa_ based on my longest coast path walk - about 20 miles - I would also allow 12 hours for 26. I romped my 20 at a faster pace than that (7.5 hours), due to tide and ferry limitations, & I wouldn’t want to do that again on a hot day with steep gradients (being a bimbler normally). If you don’t have those time pressures, 12 would be right. Training-wise are there any sensible circular routes taking in parts of the coast path?
@helenclayton@purplepadma@louisa_ I did a 26 mile organised walk along the Northumberland coast last year, with a group of friends. I think it took us around 9 hours, but it was flattish terrain, and we didn’t stop. I walk every week, so I gradually built up the miles in the weeks beforehand. I think the longest training walk I did was 18 miles. I think you’d get round with less preparation, especially as you must be pretty fit with the running, but you might feel it more the next day!
@thebaywindowgirl@purplepadma@louisa_ yes, definitely depends on the gradients. The Devon coast has some big ups and downs, on repeat, so if it’s the same for you getting some practice on some steep sections would help with training.
@purplepadma@thebaywindowgirl@louisa_ It depends if you like your own company 😁. Personally, I love walking solo (& if it’s challenging the less talking, the more breathing I can do 😂).
@helenclayton@purplepadma@louisa_ I usually walk alone and prefer it, but I’d need an audiobook for that distance, I couldn’t be alone with my inner voice for 8 hours 🤣
@thebaywindowgirl@purplepadma@louisa_ weirdly walking is when my inner voice shuts up, apart from exclaiming (also out loud) ‘sheeps!’, ‘bird!’, ‘pretty flower!’ etc 😂
@thebaywindowgirl@sheepnik@RolloTreadway@louisa_@ak@helenclayton@purplepadma there is nothing wrong with talking to sheep. I say good morning to each of mine every day, and frequently explain things to them at some length. I tell them when they are being silly and explain that next door's ewes are sadly off limits. I scold Panda for butting me and then give him cuddles and another Digestive biscuit.
@helenclayton@purplepadma@JeniParsons@thebaywindowgirl@sheepnik@RolloTreadway@louisa_@ak I love this picture, it's Giles consoling Skippy after his little girlfriend (a ewe who escaped from next door) with whom he had enjoyed a brief romance had now gone back home. "I'm sorry buddy, I know your heart is breaking, but these things don't last forever... you'll get over it in time..." Skippy got the full pep talk :D
There's a running festival on there in the summer - LoveTrails. I was going to buy tix for me and Trish but sadly she's team leading exam marking then. But it looks absolutely beautiful and I reckon would be enormous fun to walk around. Looks very pretty!
@helenclayton@thebaywindowgirl@purplepadma to second this: one of the hardest walks I've done was a 16miler on the Cleveland Way, along the Yorkshire Coast, between Scarborough and Robin Hood's Bay. So many steep set of steps down then up again. They were knee wrecking!
I love walking at the coast, and I like that the nav is usually easy (keep the sea on the same side) but those down and ups...
@louisa_@helenclayton@purplepadma Yes, the Northumberland coast is mercifully flat by comparison! That said, I’ve signed up for a 23 miler in the Cheviot hills in September, and that will be a completely different kettle of fish.
I've cycled from Newcastle to Edinburgh (the "Coast and Castles" route) which hugged the coast as best it could -- including alarmingly on the cliff edge just before Berwick! -- but I like to walk it too. How many days did you do it over?
@thebaywindowgirl@louisa_@purplepadma I was looking at the Gower stretch on OS maps last night and it doesn’t look to have to many very steep uppy downy bits. Seeing the map makes me want to do it more. Haven’t been there since a student field trip, which I cannot remember much about apart from getting kicked out of a pub.
@helenclayton@thebaywindowgirl@louisa_ Ooh now I want to do it again... my bestie had persuaded me not to this morning. In fact she said "I won't let you do it, you've got too much on"
@purplepadma@thebaywindowgirl@louisa_ sorry! The training might help motivate you in your exercise - you don’t have to train on the coast path but maybe a shorter than 26 mile practice walk would be good to do there. I’m sure you’re fit enough from the running you do. The hard bit is drumming up sponsorship in my experience (I hate asking), walking is the fun bit 😁.
@purplepadma@helenclayton@louisa_ Not to contradict your friend, but maybe having a lot on is a good reason to do it? You'll be motivated to get out and do the training, which will be good for your fitness and mood.
@purplepadma@simonzerafa
That would be a magnificent challenge and you'd absolutely love the achievement. However, I'd suggest starting with a half marathon distance and/or a road marathon first if you haven't already done those.
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