Walked 5 Hours 16 Minutes. 26.9 Miles. Average pace 11:45 My weight 172.0
Saturday – One hour five minutes 5.6 Miles. 4 sets of 60 Push-ups.
Sunday – Two Hours Lane 1 on the 400 meter track 41 Laps. 10.1 Miles.
Monday – One hour six minutes 5.6 Miles.
Tuesday – One hour five minutes 5.6 Miles. Before leaving for the Airport
Wednesday – This day disappeared when we crossed the date line.
Thursday – Arrived early Morning in Auckland, New Zealand
Friday – A full Day tour of the West side of the North Island.
I caught a cold the end of last week. Luck for me I recovered before arriving in Auckland. Perfect hot summer training cycle. Perfect race forecast. Cool with a small chance of rain. Well rested. Nothing injured. The only thing left now is to get out there and walk 100 miles within 24 hours. Going to be Fun! Excited.
What is the furthest distance you walked in an event before your first 100 mile event ?
I walked 56 Miles in the Ultra Centric 12 hour November 2014.
How far do you normally manage to get in an 100 mile event before something begins to hurt ?
Every Centurion race I have walked has been different. In all of them I walked the first 50 miles with few problems. Most pains that are hard to ignore start after 100 km.
Do you have any recommendation for novice 100 mile participants regarding pacing eg Is it best to try to maintain a steady pace for the entire 100 miles or better to plan to do the first 50 quicker than the second 50 ?
I am a big fan of an even paced race. Keep your heart rate down. Walk just fast enough to build up a time cushion of about an hour. This hour you can dip into to fix any problems.
Do you use or advise participants to use a ‘race-walking’ style of gait or just a normal walking style ?
I borrowed several things from race walking. Bent arms. Short steps. From there I developed my own style that I could maintain for 24 hours. In my last two Centurion races I started walking part of each race with my arms down. I found this a little slower but very relaxing late in the race. Find a style that works for you.
Do you use the same shoes for the entire 100 miles or do you change shoes ,perhaps into a larger size , as the race goes on ?
I have done both. If I am having foot problems like hotspots or small blisters changing shoes changes the areas that rub. Easier than using tape. If nothing hurts I don’t change shoes.
Is there any chance of you consolidating all you have learned and achieved into a book . You now have the experience and , with your entertaining writing style, you would not need a ghostwriter ?
If I do it will be an easy read. My wife says I write like a third grader. No book planned. I will however make myself available at all United States Centurion races. Any time here https://www.unitedstatescenturionwalkers.com/?page_id=23
Thank you Peter for your kind words. Giving up my blog will be tough. I am mentally and right now physically drained. I am tickled that you have found some good use of my typed thoughts and training. I just need a break to recover and regroup. Right now we are preparing to leave Auckland. Check back here later in the week and I will answer your well thought out questions. Rob
Dear Rob
Congratulations on becoming a ‘Kiwi’ centurion and joining the ranks of those with six medals. I have to admit that I am disappointed to read that you will be discontinuing your blog in the future but as one of your readers who has taken a vicarious pleasure in your achievements I’d like to thank you for your writing which is a great source of information and perhaps more importantly inspiration. I would also be grateful if you could answer a few questions before you finally hang up your keyboard for a well deserved rest.
What is the furthest distance you walked in an event before your first 100 mile event ?
How far do you normally manage to get in an 100 mile event before something begins to hurt ?
Do you have any recommendation for novice 100 mile participants regarding pacing eg Is it best to try to maintain a steady pace for the entire 100 miles or better to plan to do the first 50 quicker than the second 50 ?
Do you use or advise participants to use a ‘race-walking’ style of gait or just a normal walking style ?
Do you use the same shoes for the entire 100 miles or do you change shoes ,perhaps into a larger size , as the race goes on ?
Is there any chance of you consolidating all you have learned and achieved into a book . You now have the experience and , with your entertaining writing style, you would not need a ghostwriter ?
Kind Regards
Peter