(Polla, who works in the volunteer team here in the office and Sue our HR Manager, took the team to Nijmegen this year. Here is her experience)
1. What are the Nijmegen Marches?
The International Four Day Marches in Nijmegen comprise the largest marching event in the world. Just over 45,000 participants (mostly civilian but including a significant number of military personnel) walk 30, 40 or 50 kilometres every day and receive a royally approved medal on completion.
2. My story
A phone rings. I wake up in a total haze. Darkness. I try to pick up the phone without falling over some indefinable objects. I slowly realise that I am in a hotel room and then – a sudden shock: it is the next day of the Nijmegen Marches. Time: 3 am.
3. I have prepared everything the night before
So I just check that my legs are still functioning. A quiet sigh of relief . . . I put on my clothes and go down for breakfast. Of course everything takes twice as long when one is half asleep. Just a sandwich, some fresh fruit and a hot drink – difficult to stomach at such an early time but it is a must. Wrist band, control card, bum bag, bottle of water – check. The coach is already waiting for us outside; the morning air is rather nippy. About an hour later we arrive in Nijmegen, by the Wedren, the kind coach driver wishes us good luck and off we go into the sunrise. We now know what to expect and join the masses of people behind the start line. Quiet anticipation. 5.30 am and off we go . . . again.
4. No words can do justice to the support on route.
It starts with the happy, overenthusiastic 5 am drunks (still partying from the night before) cheering us on, followed by locals in their dressing gowns, hugging a cup of morning coffee whilst sitting outside their houses on specially exported sofas. It is all very surreal as we have already been walking for 2-3 hours! The small towns that line the route seem to take a huge pride in how they greet the walkers. Some have the whole town filled with brass bands and percussion ensembles; others choose a different theme each year, with which to decorate their town. An amazing, happy atmosphere reigns wherever we look. Families, grandparents, teenagers, and the absolute stars of the marches – the little children lining the route, offering sweets, biscuits, fruit, even hot sausage rolls to keep us going!
Being a mum myself, I was reminded of my own little one and got a huge emotional lift out of making a child’s day by accepting sweets or making sure no one was left out when giving high fives. Teenage girls were standing by the roadside with big FREE HUGS signs – hoping for a handsome soldier . . . I opted for a little 5 year old boy instead for my hug – I am not sure which one of us got more out of it!
And then we leave the town, and my world crashes. The pedometer says 20 miles. The challenge suddenly becomes very real. The pain in my knees that magically disappeared whilst in the town becomes the centre of my thoughts. I find myself feeling quite lonely despite the hundreds of walkers around me. The sun is getting very hot, the dyke seems to be getting longer and longer.
5. And then a group of soldiers are heard in the distance.
We are catching up with them. They burst into a pretty outrageous marching song and before I know it, I am marching with them, singing along – and all is better. These guys were my saving grace.
Before we know it we are back in Nijmegen again, finishing another day and it’s only lunchtime! We go to the registration desks straight away, the lady greets us with a big smile and a ‘well done’, checks our control card, scans our wristbands and gives us our control card for the next day.
The Wedren, the square where all the walks start and finish, is lined with small tents offering food, drinks, sport items and souvenirs. The centre of the square is packed with pub benches at one of which we held our regular post-walk meetings. Before we know it the coach is taking us back to the hotel for the moment of truth when, after much procrastination, we take off our trainers and inspect the damage.
Quick cold shower, a long hot bath, swim, sauna, Turkish steam bath. Legs feel like stones, the muscles all seized up, can only hobble. But fear not, rescue is on its way!
6. A phone rings… And so it goes for another day.
The last day is quite an experience. The last 6 miles of the 4th marathon take your breath away. A million and a half people line this painfully straight and long road leading into Nijmegen, creating a fabulous carnival atmosphere.
Everybody is in a different state. Some look worn and tired, some happy, some overwhelmed. Some get their second, third or even fourth wind, while others are a little quieter than usual, just taking it all in.
Then we notice hospital patients waving to us from one of the tents. They are all bedridden, some even on life support machines but smiling at us and waving flags if they can. A big lump in my throat – getting very emotional. A group of women shout ‘breast cancer’ and give us a huge cheer.
We all feel like celebrities.
7. A dancing policeman directs traffic
While music from one bandstand after another thrills the ever-growing crowd. One last turn in the road and the FINISH is finally in sight. Straight to the lady at the registration desk who gives me a big hug and pins my beautiful and ever so precious Nijmegen cross just above my heart. I feel proud, very proud. I phone my husband, send some texts. I want the whole world to know what I have just achieved.
Whilst sitting at our regular Walk the Walk table waiting to greet the rest of the team with a big hug when they finish, we notice that others in the crowd have different medals. Some with only a number.
Curious, we start chatting. And we learn. The medal is fully named “Cross for demonstrated marching skill”, as defined by Royal Decree in 1909. The walkers receive a specific medal depending on the number of times they successfully finished the event. The Four Day Marches Cross can be awarded in bronze, silver (5years) or gold (10years). I wonder what kind of medal was awarded to the absolute record holder Annie Berkhout in 2005 when she completed the event for the 66th time!
8. Did I get you thinking about signing up for next year?
Just a few tips before you do.
Don’t start your training without:
- two pairs of fairly new, comfortable trainers,
- a pedometer (or ideas for routes of different distances),
- a friend to walk with OR an iPod with your favourite comedy show or music that keeps you going,
- a healthy pair of legs (if you have any issues, it’s better to sort them out before you start your training),
- a fully supporting husband / partner / mother / dog . . . etc,
- understanding friends – you won’t see them much for a couple of months,
- and just before you set off: at least one bottle of water and a good stretch!
As the daily distances are longer than 40k (going up as far as 48kms = 30miles on the last day), I would recommend doing at least 25 miles at your big training weekend.
The training will be hard especially as you will have to fit it around your already busy life but full commitment for these few months is essential. Being away from my family was the hardest part of the challenge. My training became so prominent in our family life that my daughter’s role-plays began to feature ‘going power walking’ instead of ‘going to work’, all of which made my heart sink a few times.
Sit down with your diaries as soon as you have the training guide in your hands and schedule in all your walks in advance right up to the challenge itself. It will calm your nerves and get you super organised. It is a great motivator too! The training will tone your muscles, make you fitter and help you lose weight (a lovely side effect!) whilst preparing your body for the shock of its life.
Although I always enjoyed swimming and skating, I never regarded myself as a particularly sporty person and I am ashamed to admit that I never really exercised on a daily (or even weekly) basis. Despite this (or maybe because of it) and much to my surprise, I ended up being highly self-disciplined regarding the training walks for the Nijmegen Marches. Probably motivated in a large part by a fear of failure, I wanted to succeed.
Of course it’s always helpful to have a friend who kicks your bottom at your moments of weakness, especially in the crucial first few weeks. After that, power walking becomes second nature. Then you start noticing the benefits – shaping up whilst living on chocolate.
9. Can you do it?
Well, consider this: The youngest contestant finishing this year’s marches was 11 years old, the oldest was 89!! J You will be amazed at what your body is capable of!
Find out more and regsiter interest in next years challenge here
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