well I went and did it, signed up for a one-day, 32 mile hike

[charlie and algernon]

Run by the DC Sierra Club. They also run a one-day, 100k, 62 mile hike that starts in DC and ends in Harpers Ferry. The 50k, 32 mile hike starts in between and also ends in Harpers Ferry. Should take about 10-11 hours to complete. The hike is May 1st, so I have 5 months to prepare. They run training hikes every saturday starting this week till the end of April, so I'll be doing a lot of those and I'm also considering opening up a gym membership so I can row and bike during mid-week and longer distances on weeks I can't get to the training hikes.

Am I insane? Perhaps. But at least I'll be able to say I hiked 32 miles in one day, lol. Then I can start training to do the 100K in 2011! :crazy:

[burrfoot]

1. That's awesome, congratulations!

As a completely unrelated aside, does anyone know why I get an Error: You cannot recommend threads in this forum. message when I tried to rec this??

[charlie and algernon]

2. haha, thanks!

The admin disabled the rec feature in the lounge and in all the small forums.

[burrfoot]

23. Ah! Thanks :) n/t

[madinmaryland]

3. Hey. You got a link for that?

I'd like to check that out. Though I don't know about the distance at this time.

[charlie and algernon]

5. Here's the link

http://www.onedayhike.org/index.html

The one saving feature of the hike, which makes it even remotely doable, is that it's all flat. You stay strictly on the C&O Canal along the Potomac. You just need to really work on building up your stamina to maintain a 3 mph pace. It also helps that they'll have volunteer stands along the trail where you can get food and drinks.

[madinmaryland]

7. Thanks.

I walk quite a bit on the Patuxent trail in HoCo. I have walked that quite a bit, though not all at the same time.

[charlie and algernon]

8. yeah, in total, I've probably done around 20 miles on the C&O

but spread out over this past spring and summer, now I gotta put it all and then some in one day.

[Gormy Cuss]

18. Flat, 32 miles? You're not crazy.

You do need to work up to it if you don't do a lot of walking now. Three miles an hour is a good pace but not very fast.

Make sure you heed all of the advice on how to protect your feet from blisters (the Vaseline trick worked for me on 20 mile walks) and don't be afraid to take every food & drink break offered.

[charlie and algernon]

21. I do need to figure out my feet situation

I'll try different techniques over the training hikes.

I can do 4mph, but I think that over that long a distance, 3mph won't wear me down as quickly.

[TZ]

27. I don't think its flat

Once he gets out toward HF its mountainous, or as mountainous as it gets in these parts...

[charlie and algernon]

28. it's on a canal that follows right next to the Potomac

The Canal is flat, even if the area around it is mountainous. Though apparently the Sierra club does a bastardly thing by making you climb a hill in the town of Harpers Ferry in order to get to the end point.

[livetohike]

4. What a cool goal to have!

Sounds like a great hike too and no, I don't think you are insane :-).

[charlie and algernon]

6. This'll be a great excuse to really work out

I "live to hike" too, but I really need to get in better shape as well, this is an excellent opportunity to push myself to do both. From your username, I think you need to do this hike too! ;-)

[livetohike]

9. I would love to!

We're getting in shape for a trip to CO this summer. Going to hike Long's Peak (a Fourteener). It will be the first time I have ever hiked at that elevation. We were going to do it last August, but I fell and broke my scapula and three ribs and punctured a lung one week before our trip :-(.

I am so out of shape now. All that hard work for nothing. My major resolution this year is to not fracture any more bones.

Edit; can't spell

[Haole Girl]

10. When I was 14, the March of Dimes had a 30 mile walk-a-thon

I raised a lot of money because many people said I couldn't do it. It's all about determination.

Enjoy!

[david13]

11. Start working up to it. Start with 5, then 10 mile walks. You need

maybe 2 or 3 20 milers before you are ready. Then, get to bed early, plan every moment, be sure your diet is in order weeks ahead, then, easy walk.
dc

[Beer Snob-50]

12. AWESOME!!

you have about 5 months to train, enough time to get in shape to do this. i have done 20 miles with very little in the way of training as well as a 42 mile bike ride through the streets of nyc. you can do this.

what type of shape are you in right now?

[charlie and algernon]

19. I'm in decent enough shape that I could do 10 miles fairly easily

I could walk outside right now with a bottle of water and walk 8-10 miles no problem. I do REALLY need to build up my stamina to get past my wall at around 13 miles. Like I said, they have weekly training hikes that gradually build in length and I'm seriously considering joining a gym so I can work on rowing and biking.

[Beer Snob-50]

29. i like your plan

i would also use the threadmill. i tend to do 20-30 minutes at a decent pace but at a 4-5% incline. also, to avoid the dreaded getting bored with what i am doing, i will do do 5 minutes in rapid succession on the threadmill, bike, rowing machine, and eliciple trainer.

[racaulk]

13. Wow, that is really ambitious (and a tad insane)!

Best of luck! :hi:

[Deep13]

14. Averaging 3 mph, that's over 10 hours.

That's without any stops. And if the terrain is irregular, you can forget about that 3 mph.

[Lex]

15. ouch

I love to hike but that sounds painful.

[petronius]

16. That sounds really great - and a huge incentive to work out.

32 miles is a pretty impressive distance, better make sure that your ride back is very very reliable! :)

One of my resolutions this year is to get back to Mt. Whitney, which I'll probably do in late June...

[charlie and algernon]

22. haha, I did 32+ miles last year too!

Of course they were also spread out over the entire year, LOL.

Good luck should you be able to hike Mt. Whitney! :hi:

[MiddleFingerMom]

17. Pshaw!

.
I hiked 32 miles last year. T'weren't nuthin.
.
Course... it took me all year to accumulate that total.
.

[GoCubsGo]

20. Great!

Not only do you have plenty of time to get in shape, you have time to find yourself a good pair of hiking boots or shoes. They make all the difference.

I don't think you are insane at all. Joining the gym so you can cross-train is an excellent idea. If they have spinning classes, give them a try. They'll whip you into shape in no time. Just be sure not to write them off after one class if you don't like it the first time. The first class is always the worst. Don't forget to strength train while you are at it. If they have Pilates or Yoga classes there, look into them. They'll strengthen your core muscles, and your back will appreciate that come hike day. Have fun!

[NJmaverick]

24. Sounds like a great activity. Just make sure you get yourself

some quality socks and good footwear.

[Raffi Ella]

25. Very cool!

Sounds like you're no stranger to the great outdoors/working out so I'm sure you'll do fine.

What a great way to keep motivated through the winter- the challenge will be fun to take on. I should do something like that.

[TZ]

26. Umm yikes.

Once you get towards Harpers Ferry thats going to be some very steep and hilly terrain....

[Blue_In_AK]

30. What's the terrain like?

My husband and I did a 15-mile hike a couple years ago http://www.thebackpacker.com/trails/ak/trail_297.php, but it was pretty much straight up and straight down. Nearly killed us.

I think maybe I could do 32 miles if it was level.

[whistler162]

31. Listen carefully.... the theme from M.A.S.H. is playing......

good luck