34 mile-day hike.

Change socks often. Let your feet dry for a few minutes, powder them, and don new socks.

Taking breaks is extremely important. It may seem like wasted time; but it is not. Your break should be long enough for your pulse and breathing to back down into normal range, long enough for your feet to air dry, long enough to eat a snack and drink some water. 5-10 minutes. Plan your marching/break time intervals and try not to deviate too much. I like to do 1-1.5 hr marching, 10-15 min break.

Snacks are very important. You want something easy on the stomach, salty, carbs, some protein. I like triscuits and some sort of protein.

If chafing is an issue with your pants, underwear, etc, wear compression shorts and use powder. I recommend Gold Bond Medicated Powder for feet, ass, thighs, and nuts. It's one powder that works everywhere.

The longest civilian day hike was 21 miles. I've done longer than that in the Army, with a ton of weight, and other things like land nav and ruck running.

Sometimes it's just easier to slow-jog with your knees bent than to stretch out a straight-legged long stride. Do what feels more natural to you. I'm short, and therefor have a short stride, which is a problem on a fast road march. I would alternate between jogging and walking, and jogging was always easier for me.

When the terrain changes, change your pace/style to match it. Don't bust your ass to haul ass up a rocky hill; slow down and navigate it efficiently. When the hill flattens out, make up the lost time on the easier terrain.

These are some of the things I've done in the past and do now, when it comes to fast-paced marches. On fairly open terrain, I can move at 5-6mph without jogging for at least 2 hours without break. If you have a good stride and long legs, you should do better than that.

Always keep in mind that forced marching sucks. Embrace it and keep moving. It will be over eventually.
 
One different note, prep is king. I've done marathons but not long hikes like that! Figure the training is similiar, have a long hike each week, build by 10% for 3 weeks at a pop, drop the distance down one week, repeat, time it to have a couple weeks taper before the event.

Sounds like a great challenge! Kick it's a**!
 
When I went to Air Assault school at Fort Belvore in 97 our final test was a helicopter rappel in followed by a 13 mile ruck run with full combat load in 2:30 or less. It was doable but miserable. Best advice is to keep a small group, set a reasonable pace and stick to it, don't push the pace in the beginning even if you feel good, hydrate often and early, and change socks every 4 miles or so. Have fun.
 
My unit did this kind of thing a number of times when I was in the Marine Corps. I suspect that we were carrying a lot heavier load than you will be carrying but, even with a far lighter load, it can still be an a** kicker.

We were all young (early twenties), physically fit people who practiced for this kind of thing continually. Even being young and fit, it was tough. If you're going to do this at 46 years of age, my hat's off to you.

Best of luck, and don't kill yourself.
 
dawsonbob said:
We were all young (early twenties), physically fit people who practiced for this kind of thing continually. Even being young and fit, it was tough. If you're going to do this at 46 years of age, my hat's off to you.
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My friend the ultrarunner is close to 40. Her husband is around 55. I have another friend who is early 50s that also participates in ultrarunning. I went and helped out at one of the check points once. I had expected to find young skinny athletes. While those were there, the vast majority were 40+ and built like anyone else. My friends who do these 70 mile runs tell me that it's more mental than physical, and mental toughness increases with age. A twenty year old would rather be in a bar hitting on girls than gruelingly testing themselves.
As for me, I think they're all just a bit crazy.
 
Scott Free said:
My friend the ultrarunner is close to 40. Her husband is around 55. I have another friend who is early 50s that also participates in ultrarunning. I went and helped out at one of the check points once. I had expected to find young skinny athletes. While those were there, the vast majority were 40+ and built like anyone else. My friends who do these 70 mile runs tell me that it's more mental than physical, and mental toughness increases with age. A twenty year old would rather be in a bar hitting on girls than gruelingly testing themselves.
As for me, I think they're all just a bit crazy.
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Somehow, I suspect that they're not carrying 80 pound packs, weapons and comm gear.:D

There are a lot of people who run and hike in their 40's and 50's, and are in remarkable shape. I got the impression though, that you were doing it carrying a pack. I don't know how much you're going to be carrying, but it does make a difference. Train, train, train: if you're in good shape, with no heart problems, then you should do well. At my age and health, it takes me two hours to get around the block.

You're absolutely correct. Even as dedicated as we were, young guys would rather be in a bar checking out chicks.:D
 
I do a little jogging now and then.
I can give you just a few tips,as someone who is going
to attempt this alread has a good foundation.
Load up on carbs the week before
drink plenty of water as well.
Starting off with a "full" gas tank is essential.
On your training hikes,try various foods,gels etc,see what works for you.(keep a training journal)
"back to back" long training hikes,like 15,on saturday,10 sunday (or more)
will teach your body to move on sore legs.
Constant Forward Motion
if you aint going forward,your not any closer to finishing.
Rest stops can be fast,no dawdling.
Dont do anything you havent done in training,
no new cloths,foods etc...
Most important,
have fun,enjoy the scenery
and keep moving forward. :thumbup:
Looking forward to hearing about your training as you go.
 
Hey all,
I don't post much, but I've been here for years...
I do a lot of trail running and racing. Last June I did a 50 mile run around Cranberry Lake...mostly trail,self supported. It took me 11 hours 45 min.
http://www.cranberrylake50.org/
My longest one day trail run was 100 miles in just under 23 hours.
I am planning to run the peaks ultra in Vermont this June...it's 53 miles of trail with 13,000 feet of climbing.
http://www.peakraces.com/ultrarace/
Good luck with your hike:D
 
mtrunner said:
Hey all,
I don't post much, but I've been here for years...
I do a lot of trail running and racing. Last June I did a 50 mile run around Cranberry Lake...mostly trail,self supported. It took me 11 hours 45 min.
http://www.cranberrylake50.org/
My longest one day trail run was 100 miles in just under 23 hours.
I am planning to run the peaks ultra in Vermont this June...it's 53 miles of trail with 13,000 feet of climbing.
http://www.peakraces.com/ultrarace/
Good luck with your hike:D
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WOW, 100 miles of trail in one day. I honestly didn't think that was possible. I know people do it on the road, but 100 miles of trail :eek:
 
I can offer a few suggestions, I've never raced before, but have done a lot of very long hikes- we often cover what would typically be a 3 day + hike- often referred to as DIAD (done in day)- very satisfying- mind you I also like to hike and take my sweet a$$ time too :D

in addition to good conditioning, long walks over semi-rough terrain require special attention to foot care

blisters can end things in a hurry- look at bodyglide, sportslick, hydropel or the like- they also work well to prevent chaffing

also carry some spenco 2nd skin, leukotape or the like for taking care of hot spots or blisters that do form

you don't want to carry too much of a load, but I'd highly recommend throwing in a wind shirt- they are typically very light- 4-6 oz, but provide an amazing amount of protection not just from wind, but also light rain as well (they have a DWR finish)

I'd also second the recommendation of trekking poles- very helpful
 
333rm said:
I've done quite a few humps over 30 miles in the Marine Corps, and they were all at a damn good pace. After the frist 5-10 miles you kinda become numb and it's not so bad. If your in good enough shape to do it, don't worry it's not that bad. When we did them we usually had around 80 - 110lbs. on our back also, that's what takes all the juice outta your legs, not the distance. Most of our humps were up and over a mountain range of some kind and not on flat ground. Make sure you use something to rub inside your thighs so your skin won't chafe, usually running stores have a stick, like deoderant, that your rub on that will keep your skin from rubbing raw.
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Former Marine here also. You'll need to be "Stepping out", in other words, not jogging, but taking long, strong, fast steps. Your biggest enemy will be blisters. Know how to prevent and/or deal with blisters or you'll be very sorry. We used to stop at least half way and change socks. You may want to try a super thin pair under some thicker socks, but you definitely need to find out what works for you in advance.
Good luck.
 
I did the Bataan Memorial Death March last year. First time I walked that far in a long time. My hands swoll up pretty bad by the end, but other than that I was okay. My GF ran the thing is 5:24. She was pretty beat up. Sand takes a lot out of you.

The biggest thing I found was just keep going. Don't let anything get you down.

Take care of your feet. I stopped and changed socks and put down some moleskin a little less than half way. I did get two blisters, and I was wearing boots I've worn for years. I saw guys literally bleeding through their shoes on that trip. Stupid.

Here's a link to the Bataan...http://www.bataanmarch.com/
 
I did a 30 miler across Dartmoor in 7 hrs at the end of my training. Carrying about 40-50lbs I think. Yes I was pretty fit back then but the rules we lived by were:

1) If it's flat you jog
2) If it's downhill you run
3) Every 1.5-2 hrs drink a pint or more of fluids
4) Every 4 hrs eat something
5) Rest no longer than 5-10 minutes for your drink stops and 15-30 for your food
6) Carry a blister kit. Iodine, scalpel blade, needle, zinc oxide tape or other stuff.
7) Carry a painkiller kit with anything you need for headaches, sore joints etc
8) Get some pace beads. These will let you easily track your distance and give you something to break the journey down into say 7 stage of a about 4 miles then with your beads break down each into 10 stages of 0.4 miles.

Probably really obvious but for yourself I would ditch as much weight as possible. Last tip I can think of is "seek local knowledge". Either ask locals about the event of google it or find a club that has done it or do what you are doing here but on other forums. There will no doubt be lots of advice out there you just have to filter out the good from the bad.
 
RoyalM said:
............. Last tip I can think of is "seek local knowledge". Either ask locals about the event of google it or find a club that has done it or do what you are doing here but on other forums. There will no doubt be lots of advice out there you just have to filter out the good from the bad.
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Good stuff there, to add something similar:
If you can, recce the trail itself. Get up there whenever you can and walk it in stages.
During my preparation for the local Three Peaks (20 odd years ago) I split the route into three segments and did one or two a week.

A big +1 for trekking pole(s), a real help for the joints.
Come to think of it, I'm surprised the military don't use poles more - I've never met an ex-squaddie who hasn't got buggered knees!

:)
J
 
Done more 20ks than I can count and several 20 milers or longer all with full gear. I wear spandex shorts under my uniform to help with chafing, food and water is a must, however I have pushed myself till vomiting several times so be careful with what you bring to eat. Really sweet stuff is a nono for me, the worst was power gel, I think I vomited up my butt hole, I like trail mix and beef jerky. I also tend to start out slow to get warmed up, and as someone else said numb, then push the pace at the end.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET!!!! Seen lots of joes with blood soaking through their boots, if you feel a hotspot stop and put moleskin or tape on it immediately, you can damge your feet to the point you won't be able to walk very well or wear shoes for a week.

Training, start now and work yourself up, you need to test out your shoes and toughen up your feet. Well I hope I haven't scared you too much, do it right and you'll make it fine. Chris
 
akula83:
I did the RC twice. Each year the direction switches, so I've done one each way. They had aid stations about every 7-8 miles. Mentally, I just kept telling myself I know I can hike 8 miles, so I just focused on the getting to the next aid station. The mental game worked for me, because thinking of all those miles yet ahead can seem overwhelming.

Make sure you have shoes that work. I suggest testing them and yourself as much as you can. My experience is you can find things are all well and good for shorter distances, but when you start pushing beyond normal...15, 20, 25 miles, little problems can arise you never encountered before.

I recommend hiking poles, though this can be somewhat of a personal preference. There are some steep hills. One I remember has a cable tied off to e tree at the top. You can use the cable to raise or lower yourself (depends which direction the race is going).

The trail conditions aren't real bad..not rocky that type of thing. The RC is fairly urban, being in the Pittsburgh area. In fact you'll skirt neighborhoods and do some road walking. One year I did it, it was rainy so there was a ton of mud. Made things quite slippery.

Good luck! If you want a warm up, try the Hyner Challenge in April. http://www.hikerun.com/

Some other events in PA if you get into this are:

http://www.rothrockchallenge.com/4601.html

https://ultrahike.com/Home_Page.php
 
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