I actually did this a couple years ago right at the end of the pandemic I had been building up to it and went for it one day and it took about the same amount of time. The hardest part was refocusing the mind when pain came.
My record is 77K in one day, I also had been building up to it over several months. It took me from about midnight when I started until about 4PM, I had taken several short breaks, the hardest part was the last 10K steps or so. Granted back then I was a little overweight still, 5'9" and 180lbs.
Definitely check out a dedicated runner's shoe store and ask about what they'd recommend for different distances and support. My last two Spartan beast races were done with Saucony trail runners, and whatever special thicker running socks they had (I don't remember the brand). The sturdier padding and rock plates were life savers. No heel blisters. Really only between my toes were a little raw from where they rubbed together, and even that was back to normal after a day or two.
Good sturdy shoes will easily cost $120+ per pair, but given how long they last it's really not a bad deal. If you can spare the budget now, then you'll end up saving money over time from not having to replace them as often. Plus I think the lighter indoor gym shoes I got on the same day look good enough to use as daily wearers.
I got some mild blistering, but my feet were and still are pretty calloused from walking. I usually go with dedicated running shoes, it really helps keep my feet and legs overall from hurting a lot and there's less friction
Go to a running store, have them walk you on their mat to determine your gait, then try on some of the shoes they recommend and see which ones feel the best.
I ended up with New Balance 880's and that's what I've been buying for the last 7ish years. They work well for me. I know a lot of people like Nike but their toe-boxes have always been too small for me.
Also learn different methods of lacing up your shoes to prevent certain injuries or annoyances. Like sometimes I'll do a heel lock style lace-up if I'm moving quicker and more aggressively.
If you walk that much you will get blisters no matter what shoe you wear. Good fitting shoes will help - brand matters very little. You can also wear liner socks which helps some people. Mostly though you just have to let your feet hurt/toughen up. Takes time.
Most of the time walking you can be distracted with music or podcasts. When you walk for so long you get to moments where you get a cramp or maybe a blister and every step feels excruciating. Id have to find alternative ways to distract myself, talking on the phone worked the best. Other than that I had to daydream or actively think about anything but the pain to get distracted because focusing on the steps will just drive you crazy
Lol thanks I didn't even realize the anniversary was coming up. I'd need another pandemic to get back to that, I've gotten married and have 4 step kids so I don't have time for walking like that anymore unfortunately.
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u/dodadoof 6d ago
100000
I actually did this a couple years ago right at the end of the pandemic I had been building up to it and went for it one day and it took about the same amount of time. The hardest part was refocusing the mind when pain came.