I'm planning on walking a marathon distance, and my question is besides water, what else should I have handy? Being as it's walking and is going to take approxametly 7-8 hours, should I have some snacks along? Also, will plain water be the thing to drink? Any help will be greatly appreciated!
2007-03-19 06:57:10 · 3 answers · asked by spongeronbrownpants 1 in Sports ➔ Running
I've walked eight marathons and I always wear a fanny pack with me. What I carry depends on the time of year and the nature of the race. I carry a few snacks, a couple packets of energy gel (like Gu or ClifShots or HammerGel) since these will help you get through "The Wall" and a couple Tylenol as a minimum. If the race is going to be in cold weather I will also carry a pair of gloves.
You said that you are going to walk a marathon distance but you didn't say if it was a marathon or not. If you are doing a race, there will be aid stations along the way with all the water and Gatorade you could want. Sometimes these aid stations close before we walkers get there so I carry a single bottle of water to get me through those slow times. If you aren't doing a race then pick a route where you are certain there will be water along the way. It is nearly impossible to carry as much water/sports drink as they recommend you consume during that time.
Certainly a cell phone would be a good idea. I know walkers who carry band aids to treat any blisters they might get. If you are going for an early start that will mean you are walking in the dark, I would carry a really cheap small flashlight. It would be cheap because I would throw it away rather than haul it for six hours. If it is going to be warm weather, I would carry a wash cloth to wipe away the sweat on my forehead because I hate getting sweat in my eyes. I don't actually do that any more since I got a coolmax hat.
If you are unfamiliar with the route and may be out there when no one else is out there, then I would also carry a map.
Sports drink is better for you than plain water since it will help you replace some of the salts your body sweats as you walk. You already know how salty your skin can get in the later stages of a long walk.
Good luck with your long walk.
2007-03-22 01:49:27 · answer #1 · answered by Stephen K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
plain water is OK, but you will probably prefer a sports drink like gatorade. If not, make sure you have some salt tablets to replace the salt you are sweating out.
snacks - definitely! it takes a LOT of calories to go that far. I would recommend some high-carb snacks that your body can digest quickly, like energy bars. Get some carbo-gels if you can, I eat them during marathons and the energy boost is great.
2007-03-19 14:19:49 · answer #2 · answered by Kutekymmee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bring a backpack with you. I would bring these things:
2 Bottle Waters
Cell Phone
2 or 3 Energey Bars
But don't put too much in or you'll be having to carry a heavy backpack for 8 hours.
Flavored water is NOT good for working out.
2007-03-19 14:05:40 · answer #3 · answered by Scott 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋