Just a few days ago, I tried to tackle the Classic 100 km hike organised by Rockand. "Tried" being the operative word. I called it quits at km 87, just shy of the finish line.
I'm a bit sad I couldn't finish it, but I'm also hopeful that I can do it easily in the future based on all the lessons learned. I think my fitness was up for the task, and it would have been quite easy to finish it if it weren't for the mistakes I made in planning.
Let’s rewind and talk mistakes - then celebrate what went right (spoiler: there was some good stuff).
1. Shoes
The weather forecast for the day changed every few hours, but consistently indicated that it would rain in the beginning. The thought of walking 50–100 km with soaked feet sounded awful - so I wore my 'rain-ready' shoes. It was probably my biggest mistake - and likely why I didn't finish.
The problem with those shoes is that they have a stiffer sole (no cushioning) and, worst of all, no ventilation (they are waterproof - doh!). The stiff, tight shoes made the balls of my feet burn after only 20 km. That's a sign of overheating, and the best recipe for blisters. The inlay sole was also a bit short, so my heels took a beating on the downhill section, starting the process that resulted in some giant blisters on the heels as well.
After 50 km I switched shoes and continued with my favourite running shoes, Adidas AdiStart 3 Berlin, which have a lot of cushion and are very breathable. Unfortunately, it was already too late. My feet were shot, and my blisters were there to stay. Walking with these shoes for another 37 km, I realised that they are a bit narrow for my swollen feet, something that never occurred to me in my runs. In addition to the existing and growing blisters, my pinky toes also developed blisters.
2. Socks
I had four pairs of socks with me. Thick, wool hiking socks from Decathlon with compression. To me, it seemed like a reasonable decision. Later, I learned that compression doesn't work well for hiking for so long, because it squeezes your swollen feet. Being thick and inside my "rain-ready" shoes was a killer feature, as it hindered ventilation and the main reason for heat build-up and sweat - prime conditions for blisters.
Because why make one mistake when you can double down, I also packed brand-new, unwashed socks. Rookie move! This might be an issue since washing the socks softens the fabric and removes all manufacturing residues, including chemicals or loose strings, that might still be inside. Had I worn them at least once, I would have known if they were good or not.
3. Carrying too much
And here I don't mean my extra kilos of belly padding. My backpack was 7kg heavy when I started. I carried too much water, one 3L pouch, which I barely used and dropped after 50km. I also had too much food with me. I probably ate a third of it. And some extra clothes, which I would still carry with me next time, because they might have helped in the morning had I continued hiking the last ~14 km.
Overall, this is probably the least contributing factor to my failure to finish. My back wasn't tired, and my muscles felt great the whole way - despite walking weird after getting the blisters. Even on the last climbs, 75km in, I felt very strong, and I was one of the fastest going up, since my blisters did not hurt that much on the uphill.
Things that went well
Resting the week before was great. I stopped running and going to the gym. I was well rested and full of energy. I like to think that I could have probably run the whole 100km if it weren't for the heavy backpack and the issues with the shoes.
It was great to have a support team, my girlfriend and my sister. They provided me with new supplies and shoes midway (~50km) and offered me company for a short break soon after 60km.
Avoiding overeating was also a good idea. Overeating would have slowed me down. I think I was hungry only once during the 18 hours of walking. I ate only stuff that was easy to digest and not too rich in sugar to avoid a sugar crash. I liked the rice discs glazed and the peanuts, both glazed in chocolate, and the sandwiches. I didn't eat any of the protein bars, grain bars, chocolate bars, etc. I had a few watermelon slices along the way, and I think they were great for my needs at the time.
I added electrolytes to my water bottle at every refill, and I also drank a few bottles of Powerade along the way. Hydration was good.
Things to improve
I made multiple mistakes related to shoes. It's not only that I used the wrong ones. Most of my running is done with highly cushioned shoes, which doesn't help with endurance. To address this, I ordered a pair of Altra Lone Peak 9, which are minimalist shoes. They are very wide in the front, zero-drop from heel to toe, and offer considerably less cushion. This should help me with better running mechanics and harden my feet. I'm gradually adding them to my running routine, and I plan to do almost half of my runs with them. It will take me weeks to adjust to them, but my legs will get tougher in the process. I will probably not use them for the next 100km hike attempt.
My next attempt is probably going to be done in the Hoka Clifton 10 x-wide. These are maximalist shoes, the opposite of the Altras. They provide maximum cushion (a plush feel) with some drop, while also being very wide in the front. They represent an upgrade in cushioning compared to my Adistar 3, but a better fit due to the extra-wide toe box.
I'm also looking for a smaller vest/backpack combo. I'm planning to carry way fewer items with me next time. I think a vest might be enough, judging from this experience, and it will make me lighter.
See you next time!
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