Breast Cancer Multi-Day Walks
The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade is hosting 2-day walks, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is hosting 3-Day Walks in large cities throughout the USA. Participants raise $1800-$2000 in pledges. On a 3-Day Walk, they walk an average of 20 miles a day for 3 days. On the 2-day walk they walk either two half-marathons or a full marathon the first day and a half marathon the second day. They are fully supported along the course by hundreds of volunteers. Registration is open to both men and women. The participants sleep in a mobile tent city set up along the course. Training programs throughout the prior months prepare the participants for the physical challenge as well as coaching on fund-raising.Step by Step on a Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk
International Walking Association/International Marching League Walks
The International Walking Association/International Marching League sanctions premier multi-day walks around the world. The minimum requirement to earn the International Walking Association/International Marching League stamp for an event is two days and 20 kilometers per day. But some of these events have even more stringent requirements. The Nijmegen Vierdaagse (Four Days Walk) in the Netherlands has a minimum four day, 50 kilometers a day for men and 40 kilometers a day for women. The minimum for any age outside that range is 30 kilometers a day. With such challenging requirements, over 30,000 people a year earn their Vierdaagsekruis by going the distance all four days in July.
The IWA/IML events are non-competitive and open to all. Many are also IVV volkssport sanctioned events. The USA and Canada received sanctioning for their IML events held in April yearly: the Victoria International Walking Festival in British Columbia, Canada and the Vancouver International Discovery Walk Festival in Vancouver, Washington, USA. These events have a minimum 20K per day for two days, with a 42K marathon offered each day as well. Held one week apart in April, they provide a walking challenge through the beautiful blossoms of the Northwest each spring.
Multi-Day Tactics
It is one thing to walk a marathon or half marathon for a single day -blisters can be endured to the finish. But to pick yourself up and do it again day after day requires more training and planning to be able to finish each day in good enough shape to keep going.- Do not skimp on building up your mileage to be able to complete the required distance. Use the Marathon Training Program to build your mileage.
- Walk your long distance workout (3/4 of the longest distance you will be walking), have a rest day and walk it again. Observe any new problems that may develop.
- A month before the event, try walking your long distance workout on back-to-back days and see what problems you may develop.
- Test your clothing, shoes, pack, diet, snacks and fluids thoroughly on your long distance training days in advance of the event. Do not use anything new or different during the event.
- Pay careful attention to foot problems. These are the stoppers. Learn how to prepare your feet to ward off the blisters.
Related articles
Breast Cancer Multi-Day Walks
International Marching League Events
Discovery Walk Festival In America's Vancouver, April yearly. (Full disclosure: Wendy Bumgardner is a volunteer organizer for this event.)
Nimegen Vierdaagse
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