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

[elcid01]

Gents,
Some of you remember my call for those to start walking/marching in kit last year in preparation for the Backwaters event in tenn. We covered close to 12 miles over the weekend. Leaders were falling out along with other soldiers on the walk out on Sunday. This shouldn't happen!!!

Soooooo......

This is my official announcement for those attending the 2nd Mississippi to do the same for Manassas in July! We have the possibility to cover close to 12 miles TOTAL over the weekend too. the terrain will be rolling hills, and the heat will be, well HOT! Longest we are possibly doing is 7 miles, this is still in the works. details to FOLLOW!

Those who have had or will have spring drill, i encourage you to march more than 2 miles in your kit to shake out the feel! We will conduct a 3-5 mile "acclimation march" during the spring drill in May (13-15) out at Sky Meadows SP, VA.

There should be NO large blankets/knapsacks ect needed so the personal weight should be to a minimum. My recommendation is those who want to prep should do so like preparing for a marathon just scaled back a few:

less than 90 days to go with a goal of "walking" marching 10-12 miles slowly increase by 1/2 mile each week and you will be up to 12 by mid June. continue the distance till 1 week prior to the event then back off to 3 mile walks.

I DO NOT want to have men falling out, this is no way to start the 150ths! We can all encourage our pards and make this happen! If we want to portray soldiers we will have to conduct physical events in doing so! We/I will not place anyone in risk during the event, as you all know ill push you though! We have safety precautions in effect because of the heat and other conditions!

Cheers gents, and hope to see some of you in may/july

Skip

[Dale Beasley]

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

Good Point! And should be taken! One of the hottest summers I have ever spent, besides Kuwait/Iraq, was at Ft. A.P. Hill, Virginia. I'm "tread-milling" now with my Rifle.

[elcid01]

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

And Iraq was a dry heat! Good job Dale!

Another alternative to walking outside- tread mill! Recommend with kit and long arm!

[cwpilgrim]

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

What kind of surface will we be walking on? Pavement, gravel, trails?

[LibertyHallVols]

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

I'll be walking 13.1 miles in May.
(I would mention that it is to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, but that would be off-topic, so I'll just keep that to myself - wink)

[GWagner]

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

http://www.marathonwalking.com/schedule_ez_half.html

[GWagner]

Hydrate!!!!

http://www.watertribe.com/Magazine/Y2002/M12/SteveIsaacHydrateOrDie.aspx

[Peachfuz]

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

[QUOTE=elcid01;200289]And Iraq was a dry heat! QUOTE]

Well, to piggy-back on this, it won’t be so much the heat (it will be hot for sure) but it is the humidity around here that gets people. I think the average for last July was 88 degrees and 73% humidity and it was a mild summer. In this weather, you will sweat your you know whats off. Your body will pump out the sweat in an attempt to kick start the process known as evaporative cooling. The problem is the sweat won’t go anywhere but where gravity takes it. While I’ve got your attention, I guess I’ll toss out some suggestions. Get a lightweight cotton or cotton linen blend “undershirt”. This will help wick the sweat and prevent your nice new wool overshirt from sticking to you. That way when the breeze kicks up, you’ll get that nice “chilling” effect. Same with goes for drawers. Also, get some permethrin. I can’t tell you how many ticks I’ve pulled off of myself hiking the Con-Rob and Brawner farm area during the summer months. Sorry if I'm outa line here Skip.

[Coatsy]

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

Rich, good point about the shirts.

Skip thanks for posting this. I'll share it with the Company C men in my home group. The Georgia Contingient (Armory Guards) of Company C has two drills before the event. Marching is a part of the drill. Pickett's Mill State Park has the climbs and drops to get most anyone in shape. Also around the ATL is Kennesaw Mountain NPS on the west-side and Stone Mountain Park on the East Side. Both are great for 5 to 7 mile treks in one day. (Stone Mountain Park is my personal choice.)

One of the biggest issues that struck me at the 145th Bull-Nassas at Cedar Creek was the large amount of men falling out going from the Federal Command staging area to the "battle site". It was less than ONE MILE, and I counted ones, twos, and threes falling out.

[Dan Wambaugh]

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

Skip,

I had no idea the national event would require this much marching. Will the other units involved in the event be conducting this marching? I assumed this event would be similar to the 135ths with a large amount of time in static camps, which is essentially what I have been telling the folks I've been recruiting for the event.

Frankly, I think the idea of trying to cover a large distance with several hundred weekend warriors in the high heat of a Virginia July is not the best thing I have ever heard. Will there be ambulances nearby to handle the inevitable casualties?

I'm not trying to sound like a wet blanket here but knowing the real condition of the members of our hobby (not what we wished it should be or what historically it should be, but what it actually is) I don't see this being a reasonable aspiration. With the numbers of those falling out and unable to complete the march at Backwaters in March will that ratio be improved in potentially 95-100 degree July heat?

Again, not trying to be a huge downer or whiner but I don't know if the expectation was there when many folks signed up for the event that they would be doing a great deal of movement in the Virginia summer. I know that was not my expectation. Perhaps it would have been prudent to announce this activity before registration started, so a decision could be made as to whether it was something the individual wanted to do before they sent their money in, invested in a new uniform, and perhaps even a new firearm. With Backwaters it was known from day one that it would be a marching event, and suddenly with this event we're informed with three months to go that we'll be covering the same distance with the only difference being triple the heat?

It would just seem to me that given the amount of planning and thought that has gone into efforts of this sort in the past that this announcement is comparatively last minute. So any clarification you can offer as to actual expectations would be a great help to myself and the folks I have coming. Thanks!

[M.T. Moses]

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

Dan,

I'll make you a deal. You come trade places with me in my present location and I'll walk to the gates of Hades for the opportunity to participate in this event! This sounds like it's going to be a dandy of a time.

And Iraq was a dry heat!

Skip,

I have seen humidity hit in the 70-80% range, with the temps in the mid 130's down around the ports in both Iraq and Kuwait.

[GWagner]

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

[QUOTE=Peachfuz;200302]

And Iraq was a dry heat! QUOTE]

Get some permithrin. I can’t tell you how many ticks I’ve pulled off of myself hiking the Con-Rob and Brawner farm area during the summer months. Sorry if I'm outa line here Skip.

Yes to Permithrin. In 1996? I went to Recon on the Rappahannock. Maurice and I used it. We were the only one in the company not covered in 100's of ticks. Spray clothes, wait 24 hours, good for two weeks. Walmart has it.

[elcid01]

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

Ok, OK, Ok... I knew this would get either motivating comments or some concerns. Here is the deal.

The 2nd Mississippi and the Brigade under Bee (anders) will be participating in some of the marching/moving. this is not for the mega event. that being said, as I stated this is going to be a COMBINED effort of **Maybe** 12 total miles over 2-3 days. We are working some other plans that will be anounced when solidified. This would allow for those wanting to conduct LH at a off site thur-friday and possibly a march on friday.

Here is another comment we as the 2nd will make. I have been taking care of soldiers for 10 years as a officer from platoon leader through operations officer for the group level. I will not let you go without water, food ect. After 4 combat deployments in a leadership position no one under my CMD has gone down because of dehydration. This is not a 01-61 Ranger Training BDE! ha ha... I understand everyone's concerns and that back in 2001 there was not efforts to take care of men at a massive event. this is why the 2nd established a commissary/QM dept to allow for ample water. The QM team under caridi and birney know that water is key, and will acomplish their goals!
---ok off that---

This was designed to motovate those who feel they are underestimating what the conditions will be at the event! Hot, hot, hot, and humid.. but we are going to ALL make it and well look back to say- that sucked, but was real and i would totally do it again. Those who have worked with me at events know what to expect.. I provide a unique experience because i challenge.

Cheers gents!
Skip

[Rmhisteach]

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

Yeah , I agree with Dan's comments. This was not billed as a strenuois even. Many of us have done events during this time frame in that area and understand how hot it will be. I will be bringing my 13 year old with to the event and I may not have registered if it were explained that it was going to be a backwaters style event. We may want to reconsider the mega matrch elements or we may have a secession from the secessionist army .

[elcid01]

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

To prevent munity it will be 1.0 miles from campsite to event site each AM and back in the afternoon on sat, with a 1.0 mile march from campsite to event site on sunday. ***optional*** 7 mile march on friday afternoon if my plan comes together, with another possible 1 mile march late that evening (if it comes together).

so to reiterate:
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
= 4.0 miles over 4 diffent times in 2 days
7.0
1.0
= 8.0 mile *** Optional***

all total
POSSIBLE 12 miles

everyone ok?

Cheers...