Mid 50's, yes, have done twice this Summer, fairly regularly 12-15 miles. It's all about my FitBit steps and having a dog!
I set out from my place in Southwick (off Downsway) on New Years Day 2012 to start the way I intended to be during the year and to save myself from gorging and boozing as I had done over the previous week or so.
Set off around 10am on one of the shortest days of the year with rucksack food and a flask. Started well as I crossed Southwick Hill and walked up past Mile Oak Farm and then it was all up hill to Truleigh Hill and I arrived on the South Downs Way soaked through to the skin. By now it's 2.30ish and took shelter in the YHA where I rang out my socks and the layers of clothing I had on.
Set off again west along the ridge with Henfield to my right and the light hadn't been good all day began to disappear altogether. I wasn't carrying a torch (big mistake) as I was now descending towards Shoreham with the Cement Works to my right at least I guessed they were. It was pitch black a mile or so before I crossed the A27 on the bridge and got down to Old Shoreham Road and managed to get some food shopping at Coop Holmbush Roundabout. Still another half hour to get home back up the hill and got in 7ish.
Why I've gone into detail is because I've not done it since and in fact picked up a back injury in March so that ruled out a lot of walking this summer. However I'm now feeling confident to repeat what I did New Years Day 2012 only this time I'll check weather etc before making the sarnies.
Not sure of the distance covered but estimate at 12 miles.
I enjoy walking but the most has been 15 miles in a day. You need proper walking socks and boots. I did an organised walk of the South Downs Way. It is 106 miles in total from Eastbourne to Winchester and it took 9 days. The company ( Footprints or Footsteps) picked you up from near your home everyday and dropped you back every night.
I enjoy walking but the most has been 15 miles in a day. You need proper walking socks and boots. I did an organised walk of the South Downs Way. It is 106 miles in total from Eastbourne to Winchester and it took 9 days. The company ( Footprints or Footsteps) picked you up from near your home everyday and dropped you back every night.
When I lived in the Midlands I did the Coventry Way 40 mile walk several times, but I can't say a walk of that distance in a day is ever that much fun, much as I love walking; in my case I like the time to enjoy the surroundings rather than just hurtling onwards (which is why I don't enjoy running or cycling so much).
To get prepared for it I did lots of 20 to 25 miles walks at the weekends, which were lovely when it was below freezing in a winter morning - really beautiful in the frost - but a lot less enjoyable in the rain. My experience after that was that things only started hurting after around 34 miles.
Personally I would say that a 15 mile walk should be about the limit if someone isn't used to longer walks, then work up to a longer one. 21 miles as a first walk seems a bit long to me. It does depend on the terrain, though. 12 miles through the Peak District can be a lot worse than 18 miles along the seafront or a river.
Works the other way as well though - doing flat courses usually ends up hurting way more than those that involves hills for equivalent time on feet (accepting I'll cover a bit less distance in the same time over hills/offroad). Greater variety of muscles need to be used, resulting in less damage/fatigue to specific areas.
Completely with you on the winter mornings - my favourite time to run on the Downs. Can't beat a clear, crisp, frosty morning.
OT - I suppose neither you and / or the young superstar are free on Sunday? (This might not be the first time you've been asked this question...)