Long Distance Walking In An Age Of Distraction

After I finished my 4th training hike, a walk of 12km, I captured my thoughts on the fact that what I had just completed was a measly 1/8 of the total distance I would be travelling for the full challenges. That on those days I would complete the distance I’d just done, have a snack or meal, and then crack on with a further 7 sets. In my video I restricted myself to talking about how my body felt and how much more training I would need to do it because let’s be real, it’s hard to say much in an Instagram Reel. What I didn’t discuss was walking alone for hours at a time and the psychological affects that has.

Sea view from Coast Path between Walcott and Happisburgh (Hike 4)

It’ll come as no surprise, I’m sure, to hear me say that we live in an age of distraction. Most of us can’t even wait for a bus without getting our phone out and scrolling social media, or instantly gratifying our need to look something up as soon as the thought pops into our heads. We have music or podcasts or audio books playing all the time - I even do it whilst I cook dinner. But I’ve always felt quite comfortable in my ability to walk the dog without those things, to sit in my own thoughts or meditate for periods of time.

But after a 3 hour hike I could already feel the tug of something in my mind, having been alone and quiet for such a length of time. And I find myself wondering how I will cope on the challenges.

Taken near Meeting House Hill (Hike 5)

The irony is not lost on me that I’m writing this after hike 5, an 18.5km hike (4 hours), during which I allowed myself to listen to an audiobook. In my defence (or not) I had 3.5 hours left of a book I was really engrossed in and it felt like the perfect opportunity to finish it.

Now that I’m at the point of exceeding 4 hours of hiking at a time (I’ll have to start factoring in rest breaks to eat and drink now), I don’t want to be using my phone battery so excessively and so I will be reverting to the quiet of previous training hikes. And I will just have to get used to such a long period of being with myself.

Of course I realise that when I embark on the Ultra Challenges there will be many other people there too, but I won’t know any of them and I can imagine that I will spend the majority of my time quietly, conserving my mental energy to push through the night. I’m an introvert and interacting with new people takes a lot of my energy.

The old Honing training station (Hike 5)

I’m sure there will be people scoffing at my suggestion that this aspect of the hikes will be tough but I also wonder how many of those have completed a challenge like this? How many have genuinely sat quietly, since the rise of the smart phone, for 24 hours or more, with just their thoughts for company.

I’m really intrigued to notice how I deal with this and whether my mental state/health changes over the course of the next 10 months and within each long hike.

I’ll try to keep updating with my musings and findings.

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Field between North Walsham and White Horse Common (Hike 5)