The Journey to September

Rookie Challenge Walkers may be feeling a bit perplexed when it comes to training for a 30-50 mile endurance walk. This is especially true for Challenge Walkers like me, living with MS.


On Being Anal


I must say that Sally and I were extremely dedicated to following the training schedule TO THE LETTER our first year. We actually ended up burning ourselves out. We just shake our heads when we remember how we absolutely refused to abandon a training walk until our pedometer read 16 MILES! It was a very hot day and we were probably dehydrated and more than a little delirious – Umm, DON’T DO THAT!


After the first year, we learned how to find a happy medium of getting into “walk shape” and toughening up our feet enough to avoid major blister problems. What we didn’t know in 2008 is how much a difference it makes when you’re “in the moment” at Challenge Walk MS. The atmosphere of Challenge Walk Weekend is so motivating. We learned if we can do 5 miles consistently at home, we can do 10 at Challenge Walk; if we can do 10 miles at home, we can do 15 up there and so on…


On Beating the Heat


For those of us with MS, I’ve found that training in the early hours of the morning help so much. To beat the heat and humidity of summer, we often headed out by 4:30 a.m. to get our training walk in. If you’re not a morning person, try training in the cool of the evening. If you’re completely exhausted by the end of the day, try walking on a treadmill in air conditioning if at all possible. How about “water walking” at the local pool – another option on those extremely hot and humid days.


On Proper Shoes


One of the best pieces of advice we were given early on was to switch to running shoes for endurance walking. Running shoes are much lighter and allow your feet to breathe. Performance Running Centers (we go to the one in Oconomowoc) offers a discount to Challenge Walk MS walkers. Ask for Nick the manager and tell him Challenge Woman sent you. A good running shoe store will actually watch your gait, stride and observe how your foot strikes the ground and will fit you with the best shoe for YOU.

In Closing


“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end.”

– Ernest Hemingway