Pilgrimage to Serve Prep Notes

Mental- Activities to keep brian active – conversations, Facebook & LinkedIn updates, Mental Toughness: Break the 50 miles into smaller, manageable segments.

Spiritual- Prayers, Memory Stones, Approach it from a Pilgrimage perspective, Rosary

Physical-

• Feet - Bring extra pairs of socks. Second set of walking shoes. See below for more information.
• Neck or other areas that may tighten up – I bring a topical gel like Icy Hot
• Pre doze with pain relivers and anti-inflammatories starting 2 days before. Prednisone if you can get a prescription.
• Restroom breaks – take advantage when available.

The walk requires a training plan with gradually increasing mileage, Get the feet, legs, and core ready; test out nutrition and hydration ideas. Do a long walk on consecutive days to prepare for walking on tired legs.

Wear broken-in, comfortable shoes or boots. Ensure they have enough room, as feet swell over long distances. Use moisture-wicking, non-cotton socks to prevent blisters. Reduce friction to prevent blisters with Vaseline on the soles and between the toes. If you go with 2 pairs of socks, the inner layer needs to be thin (synthetic, or merino wool liner) that wicks sweat away. The outer (second) layer acts as a cushion and should be a thicker merino wool or cushioned sock. There are double-layer socks like Wrightsock are designed to handle moisture and friction in one package. I have successfully walked with a pair of high-quality, single-layer Merino wool socks and liberal use of Vaseline. I wear shorts with no seams on the material to cause chaffing. I also liberally apply Vaseline all over my inner thighs.

Use a properly fitting backpack for water, food, and gear. Bring first-aid items, especially for blisters. Plan to consume 300-500 calories per hour, focusing on high-carb, easy-to-digest items like trail mix, energy bars, and fruit. I have successfully used PBJ sandwiches. Drink to thirst, incorporating electrolytes.