How Much Training?

The amount of training depends on many factors. It is often said that if you have good basic fitness, you can complete the march, but if you want to experience what Nijmegen truly is—that is, if you want to do more than just see everything as a task to get from point A to B—it requires some preparation. You should have walked about 300 km before traveling down, and it should have been varied walking. Both individual long walks (30km+) and multi-day walks (2x30km) to learn how your own body works.

I want to say at this stage that it is not worth logging 700km beforehand, as I did myself; it doesn’t give significantly more benefit than walking 300km. What gave me the most benefit when training for Nijmegen 2017 was walking down to the nearest town (about 45km) and going out to drink afterwards, and then walking back hungover the next day. A psychological game like no other, but educational. I realized (after Nijmegen) how my own body functioned in the state you are often in… slightly hungover.

My tip here is to try walking a Kesäyön Marssi (Midsummer Night’s March) which is organized… unfortunately often too close to Nijmegen… here in Finland. They are generally well-organized but miss the carnival atmosphere that exists in Holland. The carnival atmosphere itself can make you walk two days on pure lactic acid, but it’s something you have to experience to understand.

What Type of Training?

Here, with the experience I have from four completed marches, I would say: Varied. Combine marching with running, preferably in different types of weather. All to prepare you for the psychological challenge of walking a Nijmegen; the weather there is unstable. It can be 35 degrees Celsius, only to suddenly drop to 20 degrees and rain.

If you are going to walk with weight, it is important to consider early on how the weight will affect you. You must accustom your body to the extra weight. 13 kg doesn’t sound like much, but after 150 km, you feel it, no matter how little it is.

Try to train with those you intend to walk with; if you are going to walk in a team, the team must train TOGETHER. It becomes untenable to try to individually adjust the pace if you haven’t trained together beforehand.

Another thing is to train with the equipment you will actually have. Training in shorts and trainers does not correspond to the reality of boots and uniform. Carry the backpack every time and do not skimp on the weight. Wear the same socks and liners you intend to wear on the march. If it’s warm one day, take the opportunity to go for a walk.