Walking is widely accepted as one of the best exercises to keep a healthy body. While most people walk a good couple of miles each day doing their regular business, it is a good idea to dedicate a portion of your day to walking for health. But is walking too much a bad idea?
Sixty miles walk sounds a lot on paper, and for an average person, it is. If you are planning to walk the distance without rest, one can safely assume that it is quite impossible. But depending on your fitness and the frequency of pitstops, you can, in fact, get through it relatively soon.
In this article, we will explore how long it might take for you to cover 60 miles on foot and also discuss how to make your walk more enjoyable.
How Hard Is It to Walk 60 Miles?
The short answer, it is extremely hard. Walking 60 miles is not a joke and can be taxing even for a healthy person. If you can walk around 4 miles each hour at a steady stride, it would take you 15 hours without any break. For a human being, walking at a steady pace for 15 hours at a stretch is almost impossible.
Besides, that is still assuming you can keep up with the pace of 4 miles an hour. Most people usually stay at around 3 miles per hour. Someone who maintains a healthy lifestyle and practices walking long distances daily can, however, keep up this speed with little trouble.
Dehydration and starvation are the two elements that you need to tackle if you are walking that far. Your body will consume a lot of energy, and you need to drink water and take your food to keep up the pace. This means you must take a break if you want to walk that far, which will, in turn, affect your time.
Is it Possible to Walk 60 Miles?
Yes, it is. However, it might take you more than a day, depending on your physical fitness and weather conditions. For instance, in fair weather, you will be able to walk longer without feeling tired. On the other hand, if you are walking under the hot summer sun, you will feel exhausted before too long.
You also need to pack proper provisions and gears for such a long walk, which means more weight to carry. That being said, here are a few tips that will help you if you are planning to go on a 60-mile walk.
1. Get proper walking shoes
The most important step to walking for such a vast distance is getting a nice pair of shoes. Keep in mind, the part of your body that suffers the most while walking that long is your feet. You need to treat them right if you want to avoid blisters or unbearable foot pain.
Make sure the size of the shoe is right, and it does not suffocate your feet. It also needs to be breathable to prevent excessive sweating and hotspots. Along with the shoe, you also need to think about the socks. You want moisture-absorbing socks, preferably made of synthetic material or wool.
2. Wardrobe choice matters on long walks
You want to dress for the weather if you are planning on such a long walk. If the weather is good and the temperature is not too warm, you want to wear light clothes. For colder weather, you need insulating layers of clothes to keep your core temperature warm.
Keeping the temperature in your body stable is extremely important when walking that long. If your body gets too hot, you will feel dehydrated and cannot keep the pace up. On the other hand, if it gets freezing, hypothermia can set in, which can even become deadly if left unchecked.
3. Take breaks when you need it
If you get tired, it is completely okay to take a break and make camp for the day. It is extremely important to know the limits of your body. Pushing hard might be okay in some cases, but for such a long walk, it is best to give yourself some space to recover so that you can feel fresh and rested.
Ideally, you want to camp at a place that is not vulnerable to animal attacks or any other sort of danger. Make sure you follow all the camping safety tips and do not leave yourself in any type of danger. A night of good sleep will help you shrug off any tiredness you might be feeling from the constant walking.
4. Stay hydrated and fed
Even if you are not camping, you need to keep yourself refreshed with food and water regularly. Walking is a taxing activity for your body, and it would definitely get thirsty and hungry. Ignoring your needs will only increase your exhaustion, which is never a good thing for a long walk.
Before you start your trip, you should consume a decent amount of water to give your body a boost in fuel. While on the walk, drinking a fresh glass of water every 30 minutes is a good idea. In terms of food, bring plenty of carbohydrates and protein, which will give you a boost in energy.
5. Safety is always a priority
Your safety should be your number one priority. Walking with a friend or two might be a good idea since you can watch out for each other. If you are walking alone, make sure someone knows your location and route. It is also best to avoid walking through any bad neighborhood.
Final Thoughts
Although walking 60 miles can be quite difficult, you can make it if you stick with it. It’s not a good idea to practice walking 60 miles from the beginning rather you can practice by walking 20 miles. Our helpful tips should equip you with all the tools you need for this grueling task.
We hope our article was informative and could help you understand how long it would take to walk 60 miles.
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