Introduction
The Four Day Marches, known as “Vierdaagse” in Dutch, is the largest hiking event in the world. It attracts tens of thousands of participants from all over the globe, who come together to challenge their endurance and celebrate at the parties (a.k.a ‘De vierdaagse feesten’ ) surrounding the event.
My Personal Experience
I have had the privilege of participating in the Four Day Marches five times as part of a military detachment. Originally a military event, the Four Day Marches now welcome participants from all walks of life. The concept is simple: walk 50 kilometres each day for four days. This simplicity, however, masks the true challenge, which is largely mental. Most participants tend to drop out on the second day, due to the daunting prospect of three more days of walking.
Mental and Physical Dropouts
Participants who drop out can generally be categorized into two groups: mental and physical dropouts. Mental dropouts struggle with the daunting distances and fail to break down the journey into manageable steps. Physical dropouts, on the other hand, often push through injuries, but there comes a point where continuing is undoable. Walking with severe injuries can lead to extended rehabilitation periods, making the decision to withdraw the only sensible choice.
The Challenge of Preparation
The Four Day Marches itself is mainly a mental challenge but the bigger underlying challenge is the preparation for the event. Training for the Four Day Marches requires a big time investment, especially if you are starting from scratch. Training walks can take up entire days, and ideally, you should complete at least two two-day or even three-day practice hikes. Proper preparation almost guarantees success, making the event an enjoyable week filled with festivities. However, the risk of dropping out will be large when not adequately prepared.
Testing and Training
Testing is crucial. Not only should you train for the walking itself, but you should also test all aspects of the journey: which shoes and socks are best, how tight lace your shoes, what food works for you, how often and how much to eat, and how to ensure sufficient calorie intake even when you don’t feel like eating. You should also learn how to take care of your feet and muscles after walking and prepare for different weather conditions, whether it’s heat or rain.
How Much to Train
The training schedules provided on the Four Day Marches website are a good starting point, though I recommend adding more kilometres. A good indicator of your readiness is how you feel the morning after a training walk. Most people can manage 30 kilometres in a day, but how you feel the next morning is telling. If you feel good, you’re on track. If you’re extremely sore, you may need more preparation.
Reflecting on This Year
Unfortunately, I could not participate this year due to study and work commitments abroad. Seeing the photos, I realize how much I miss the event and hope to join again next year.
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