Help required - anyone who has completed Vierdaagse

[Yoni]

As most of you are aware I am leaving for the Netherlands in a few weeks. So it goes like this:

I am sat peacefully at lunch in the canteen and the CEO of the Netherlands branch bimbles in, he is a tall man with a lot of presence.. he sits next to me and starts taking the piss (which is a good sign as it means he likes me... well I mean how could anyone not like me *laughs*).

He issues me my induction:

Jan - "Laura we have some good news and some bad news"
Laura - "Ok Jan, I'll take the good news first" I say rather sheepishly
Jan - "we are going to give you 4 extra days holiday this year"
Laura - "How generous of you Jan" my eyes glancing at him suspiciously
Jan - "Yes Laura you are going to do the Vierdaagse"

*Table erupts into laughter*

Laura - "the what"
Jan - "Vierdaagse - I hope you enjoy walking"

Finally it is explained to me what this is:

Vierdaagse

..... so please anyone who has done this can you give me some tips or advice on how to start training for it, what shoes, attire I will need to wear etc....

 

[Starman]

I prefer Wikipedia

 

[taB]

30k a day to me is fine, 50 would be a struggle without any preparation. At least it's flat over there I hope they're giving you more than 4 days so you have some recovery time too!

The Wiki doesnt mention much about terrain and stuff but if it's tracks and roads I would go for a decent pair of walking trainers a la Merrell variety. Training: Walk lots

Good luck!

 

[TdC]

ladies are allowed the shorter distance


tbh every time I am there for the Zomerfeesten or the free music festival De Affaire, I feel a twinge that I should walk it, because the atmosphere is simply amazing!

for attire, I'd do light walking shoes and good walking socks. light rain gear and a fleece for the mornings. there are places along the route where you can refuel and stuff, but still I'd bring some food and certainly some drink of your own (though I hear that people hate even small back packs on the 4th day)

you leave early in the morning, so in theory have most of the day to walk it, but distance wise for comfort I would make sure you can walk at least 30km a day for four consecutive days. also, do *NOT* walk it on new shoes or new socks, but rather ones you have already done a lot of miles on or you will kill your feet :/

it's awesome though. I hear that walking through the dawn with all the people is an amazing experience

 

[Draylor]

I like your bosses style, an initiation test for foreigners

Sounds like it could be fun, or painful, or painful and fun!

 

[Yoni]

I think I would want to do the full 50km.. because I am a masochist... I think I will need an ipod with a bigger memory also.

I like the idea as it gives me some focus for when I move.

Im ok with a bit of pain as long as the outcome is worthwhile

 

[old.Osy]

Excerpt from rules and regulations found on the website:

8. Throughout the Four Days Marches participants are forbidden to
- express any political views
- behave or dress offensively
- carry and/or distribute advertising material unless so permitted by the board of the Stichting De 4DAAGSE.
- have with them any pets or other animals (with the exception of guide dogs for visually impaired participants), prams or pushchairs, loud radios or other audio equipment
- have anything with them which could reasonably be considered to be dangerous or to seriously inconvenience other participants.

 

[nath]

That seems to imply audio equipment that other people can hear, not walkmans/ipods.

 

[old.Osy]

you broke my nitpicking

 

[spook]

Now, first of all I've never walked the Nijmegen march myself, and haven't walked anything close to that distance on only 4 days. I've wanted to, due to it being a thing that gathers a decent crowd of Danish soldiers every year, but I've never gotten around to it.

I have however marched quite a bit, and even though it's always been in military issued boots, I'd assume that the same tips apply.

Basicly, what TdC said, is all true. Use worn shoes and make sure that your socks won't cuddle up under your feet, or your feet will have a rough time with blisters.

Also, the most important thing: hydrate. Drink before you get thirsty, and get used to drinking small sips often, as your body absorbs more than fewer hyge swigs. The amount of water needed, is naturally dependent on the weather. I know that some advice which was given back home once, was that at least 8 ltrs of water a day is needed, to keep the body at the optimally hydrated level.

Other than that, just listen to TdC, he's got all the important stuff covered. Just make sure you don't get surprised by the weather in any way

Have a nice trip! I'm gonna do it some day, just like the marathonrunning which is planned! (right...)

 

[TdC]

just listen to TdC, he's got all the important stuff covered

I've been telling people that for years mate, but they never do

 

[Yoni]

I've been telling people that for years mate, but they never do

*inserts health warning*

Well anyone who wants to is welcome to walk with me .. "watches people run and dive for cover"

 

[TdC]

pfft. I'll be waiting at the finish with a beer

 

[taB]

pfft. I'll be waiting at the finish with a beer

That's the best motivation possible tbh.

 

[Mysticrose]

On top of the already good advice I've seen, I'd like to add one more tip and that is: Make sure you join in on the festivities in the city because it's a blast.
Might be hard if you have to walk again the next day but then try to join at least the last day. You won't regret it

You can do 40km as well btw instead of 50km and it will get you a medal too.
You're not getting one for 30km.

 

[old.Osy]

BBC NEWS | England | Nottinghamshire | Man dies after half-marathon run

I know walking != running in a marathon, but damn, 28 years old. Such a pity.

 

[TdC]

spoke to a man yesterday who had walked it several times, and he mentioned something I hadn't thought of in that light before: he mentioned that you should not drink too much, and was very adamant about it. He spoke not only on the, uh, logistical issues involved or where to use facilities (eg there are few or none), so one shouldn't eat or drink too much anyway, but also that you should eat stuff that you are used to. So your own fave bread, your own fave beverages/water/energy/isotone drink, stuff that you are used to and not something you've never had before.

Also, he mentioned the benefit of taking your own blister kit with you in case you get them, so sterile kit, swab, needle, disinfectant, blister plasters, tape etc. because you will have to wait for a long time if you want to get a red cross fellow to look at you, and you will be out of your rhythm and cooled down once you finally get on the road again. Much better to tough it out and do it yourself. Also to tape your feet/toes if you're up for that as a blister prevention thing.

And then he said the post-walk masseurs should be visited every day if you can. And to go as soon as you're in, because the masseurs work according to your walk entry number, and while strangely not a lot of people use them they're still very busy and you should take advantage of your entry times if you're quick.