CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

[BrianHicks]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

Brian, I remember a comfortable stroll in the woods. I did see lots of fellows from the front passing behind me and Chris Bopp. We had a fine time walking that morning. I guess we're just odd ducks or all went to some of the same schools.

Skip, good point to remind people to prepare. If I may add... marching is as much mental as it is physical. Even young bucks in great shape can get dispirited and fall out. Don't let that be you. Put the miles in wearing your kit and make sure you aren't going to have a mysterious blister form or your drawers chafe or a strap dig in when you're doing for real. Things like that can get in your head and break you if you let them.

It wasn't anything that wasn't announced ahead of time. Ahhh well..... I still don't know what all of the fuss was about. Skip is being up front about what we can anticipate, and I'm looking forward to it.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

If you are in the DC area and wish to practice, please send me an e-mail at m.a.schaffner@comcast.net.

The "Loudon-Hampshire Mess" does ten mile marches once a month on the W&OD trail in northern Virginia. Our permit allows us to wear our uniforms, carry weapons (but no bayonets or ammo), and wear heavy or light marching order according to taste. We have been known to do 15 or 20 miles when folks felt like it, or as few as 5 if conditions were especially oppressive.

The next march is this Saturday, April 23. The May date will probably change from the 21st to the 28th, but we also have June 18 and July 16 locked down.

We take our time and look out for each other. It's about the experience and the practice; there's nothing of the contest about it.

See you in Manassas.

[elcid01]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

Herb and Michael- Great Ideas to get out to local area where you can easily put on some kit and walk around!

Brian - Sir, knowing that I can count on you to encourage and stay the course! Backwaters was a great event, and enjoyed the sunday stroll out of the wilderness!!!

Pete also brings up some great points, Hanging around a camp fire for a weekend in your gear is different than walking. Drawers, shoes, knapsack, equipage, and uniforms seem to do different things after about 1/2 of a mile. I am encouraging all those coming to just take a little time to test this out. My intent to the commanders was to have a spring drill or march so that the members can exercise their impressions for this event! I know my intent was met as almost all of the companies have had a spring drill- well done!

Thanks for all the motovating comments and we will have a excellent event!

Cheers!

Skip

[Dale Beasley]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

Skip,
Thank you for giving us the "motivation warning order". And after my third surgery on my left leg, I need someone to push my butt. We can all tell war stories of what was the worst place/event, etc, but unless we focus on this event we are letting ourselves and everyone else down. It will be hot, it will be crowded, and no matter what anyone says, there will be problems getting water.

I forget from event to event just how much that Enfield weighs.

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

Craddock and I are doing 3-5 miles almost every morning Monday-Friday and have been for two months now. That distance will increase over the next couple months as we close on the event. If our horses die in the oppressive July heat, we'll be able to keep up. Good reminder Skip!

[IowaYank]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

Matt, If your on Smokey I don't think you need to worry about him dieing!!! hahaha

[kaelin]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

Matt will you be riding shotgun?

[Dale Beasley]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

Matt,
I have seen Craddock on a horse, he does the horse injustice.

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

Dan, I will be on Smokey. So I know I have to keep him reigned in or I'll find myself in the next county before I know it.
Kaelin, I will leave the shotgun at home like a smart boy.
Dale, I'll let Craddock respond.

I can't wait to see all you guys!

[Jerry Ross]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

Matt,
I might be upset if Smokey dies in the VA heat ....My horses are in shape for any mileage you can hang on and ride them .
You need to come and ride some and soon.

[unclefrank]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

It was the nasty mud/glue that was the killer at Backwaters. I just turned 53 and the old body just does not respond the way I like it too sometimes no matter how I try to prepare it.

[Clsinclair]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

Well, I have finished many 50 mile trail runs and 71 marathons with a best of 2:56 at the Marine Corp Marathon. For the past 10 years I have not trained due to a knee operation from bowling. Pitiful me, using the excuse of knee pain not to run just like many others. Well on March 1, 2011 I started back running and walking and now am up to 50 miles per week with the hopes of doing some reenactment events that include marching. Lost from about 220 to 182 and still losing. Knee still hurts but the pain of doing nothing is greater than actually doing something. I am thinking about injecting some motor oil in my knee since I have no cartridge(sic I think) in it.

PS - The horse is happier.

[PalmettoGuard]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

There are a lot of good points made in this thread. Bottom line is Skip is right. I picture a lot of hurry up and wait marching at this event while the big bugs get the actors where they should be. While the distance may not be more than a mile or two at any one time, we'll all log some miles. All this in the VA heat (and expect the worst and hope for the best) will take a toll on our middle aged bodies. For all the talk for red shirts, stars, and tri-corner hats, the best thing we can all do (and I have a big finger pointed at myself on this one) is work to shrink our waistline. We'll look better, feel better and have a better time at the event. I've already started to hit the pavement with the goal of dropping some LB's and getting fitter prior to this.

Is there a recommended sulter for an 1861 skinny waist? If so, I'll pay top dollar for that piece of gear!

[Dale Beasley]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

Stand Fast Mississippi!

[NoahBriggs]

Re: CAN YOU WALK 10-12 Miles straight? Start Training!!!

Yep, I can walk that distance. But i will be keeping up the practice.

Noah Briggs
The regimental surgeon