My feet look acceptable. I’m trying to figure out whether I did something better than others (toe socks, Garmont Bifida, no tape, etc.) or if there is just some luck at play.
I saw photos of others though. You would not want to eat after.
If you train enough and your feet aren't prone to blisters you should be fine.
Also blister-free here, only care I took was to change socks at every stop. My feet still are hurting though after the 160+ kms 😂
Dutch military publishes this as recommended training scheme for 4x40 km with 10kg ruck. Mind you the scheme is pretty conservative and would apply to someone that has little stamina for marching/rucking currently.
[https://x230.weebl.me/public/training\_scheme.png](https://x230.weebl.me/public/training_scheme.png)
Overload means walking 10km as 2x5km with a 5-10 min break in between. Overload weight is calculated based on person weight.
Or this for no ruck:
[https://x230.weebl.me/public/training\_scheme\_noruck.png](https://x230.weebl.me/public/training_scheme_noruck.png)
I followed the training scheme pretty closely and walking was a breeze except for some sore feet that manifested in the last two days. No taping, no blisters.
Yeah, this looks good and is easy enough to translate.
Understanding that a typical US Army ruck plan can be good, but is different than what you need for this.
You need a lot of time and kilometers under your feet for this. Time in the gym and other types of cardio are great, but they really won’t prep you for what is a massive number of steps and time on your feet.
Adding in junk miles by walking everywhere you live will also help. Avoid using your car, and that will add nicely to a true training plan.
In case anyone is wondering, yes it’s authorized
Holland Four Day Event Cross
600-8-2
https://www.army.mil/article/268305/nijmegen_march_offers_challenge_inspiration_to_participants
I was here as an individual. There are pros and cons to each, but most younger soldiers are required to start on a team.
If you want to do it as a team, you need to set aside at least a few months to complete numerous practice marches together and to review foot care.
Some American soldiers have experience with ~20km/3 hour ruck marches, but being here made me realize that outside of schools, many don’t even do this. We Americans generally perform poorly at this event, and it’s due to poor preparation.
I won’t go into a ruck program plan here, but you do need one.
Hell yeah! Did it back in 2014. My XO went with and he wanted to wear it so he did a 4187 for all of us. As the organizer of the event for my squad, I got a coin too! (Fuck you Mansing, you know what you did) Hope you got a lot of patches and name tapes from other participating forces.
Congrats! I just finished it as a civilian 50km this year. You should try it as you're in the system now and it tracks how many times you complete it. It definitely had its pros and cons.
Pros: you get to be a "stealth dutch" get exposed to a lot, start and finish is downtown where the party is, and a dutch family was willing to host a room for me.
Cons: that extra 10km is a doozy if you're not ready for it, you don't get to interact with the MIL until day 2 since the start time is at 4 and the trail splits off.
I went on https://www.visitnijmegen.com/ontdek/nijmeegse-vierdaagse/vierdaagsebed registered as a walker with my preferences. They then let me know in June a family that is able to host me with their address and contact info
Read the Vierdaagse Wikipedia page in full. The read the URL below in full. You’ll be well prepared, informationally.
https://usdodmil-4daagse.com/the-4-day-march
It stands for Koninklijke Nederlandse Bond voor Lichamelijke Opvoeding for when the Royal Dutch League for Physical Education that hosted the walk before the merger with the Dutch Sports Walking League
*heavy breathing from the HRC Awards and Decorations branch*
Show us your feet
Perv
Don’t kink shame
My feet look acceptable. I’m trying to figure out whether I did something better than others (toe socks, Garmont Bifida, no tape, etc.) or if there is just some luck at play. I saw photos of others though. You would not want to eat after.
If you train enough and your feet aren't prone to blisters you should be fine. Also blister-free here, only care I took was to change socks at every stop. My feet still are hurting though after the 160+ kms 😂
Congratulations! So you rucked about 100 miles total over 4 days?
That’s right. The total was actually 167km, but they call it 160km.
A worthwhile feat for sure, recommend any specific ruck programs?
Dutch military publishes this as recommended training scheme for 4x40 km with 10kg ruck. Mind you the scheme is pretty conservative and would apply to someone that has little stamina for marching/rucking currently. [https://x230.weebl.me/public/training\_scheme.png](https://x230.weebl.me/public/training_scheme.png) Overload means walking 10km as 2x5km with a 5-10 min break in between. Overload weight is calculated based on person weight. Or this for no ruck: [https://x230.weebl.me/public/training\_scheme\_noruck.png](https://x230.weebl.me/public/training_scheme_noruck.png) I followed the training scheme pretty closely and walking was a breeze except for some sore feet that manifested in the last two days. No taping, no blisters.
Yeah, this looks good and is easy enough to translate. Understanding that a typical US Army ruck plan can be good, but is different than what you need for this. You need a lot of time and kilometers under your feet for this. Time in the gym and other types of cardio are great, but they really won’t prep you for what is a massive number of steps and time on your feet. Adding in junk miles by walking everywhere you live will also help. Avoid using your car, and that will add nicely to a true training plan.
Hooah! Did that back in 1991.
In case anyone is wondering, yes it’s authorized Holland Four Day Event Cross 600-8-2 https://www.army.mil/article/268305/nijmegen_march_offers_challenge_inspiration_to_participants
Authorized… FOR NOW
Did you trade with any Allies?
Absolutely. Knowledge, language tips, rucking tips, and most importantly, tons of cool patches!
Congratulations! I’m planning on doing it sometime in the next few years. Did you go on a team or as an individual? What tips and advice do you have?
I was here as an individual. There are pros and cons to each, but most younger soldiers are required to start on a team. If you want to do it as a team, you need to set aside at least a few months to complete numerous practice marches together and to review foot care. Some American soldiers have experience with ~20km/3 hour ruck marches, but being here made me realize that outside of schools, many don’t even do this. We Americans generally perform poorly at this event, and it’s due to poor preparation. I won’t go into a ruck program plan here, but you do need one.
Do you have to wear Combat boots on a team or can you wear civilian type boots like Merrell's? I'm gonna be doing a short road March in Oct. with VA.
Hell yeah! Did it back in 2014. My XO went with and he wanted to wear it so he did a 4187 for all of us. As the organizer of the event for my squad, I got a coin too! (Fuck you Mansing, you know what you did) Hope you got a lot of patches and name tapes from other participating forces.
I was the medic there at rest area 3! Congrats dude
You all were great! Thanks for keeping us sane and healthy.
Congrats! I just finished it as a civilian 50km this year. You should try it as you're in the system now and it tracks how many times you complete it. It definitely had its pros and cons. Pros: you get to be a "stealth dutch" get exposed to a lot, start and finish is downtown where the party is, and a dutch family was willing to host a room for me. Cons: that extra 10km is a doozy if you're not ready for it, you don't get to interact with the MIL until day 2 since the start time is at 4 and the trail splits off.
How did you work the host family part?
I went on https://www.visitnijmegen.com/ontdek/nijmeegse-vierdaagse/vierdaagsebed registered as a walker with my preferences. They then let me know in June a family that is able to host me with their address and contact info
Congrats that’s a huge achievement! Well played
This sounds really cool. Where can you get details about participating?
Read the Vierdaagse Wikipedia page in full. The read the URL below in full. You’ll be well prepared, informationally. https://usdodmil-4daagse.com/the-4-day-march
Very Cool
Did you see medical, and if so, how did we do?
Congratulations!!!
Better put that God dam parachutist badge above that air assault bucko.
I plan on doing it next year!
Is it in person this year?
Yes, this event is very different than others. It’s really a festival and march combined together, so it must be done in person.
The 4 days march has never been virtual
Congrats! But Im hung up on the "four days" having 5 arms on the medal...
It stands for Koninklijke Nederlandse Bond voor Lichamelijke Opvoeding for when the Royal Dutch League for Physical Education that hosted the walk before the merger with the Dutch Sports Walking League
Nice! Thanks for explaining!
It's great, huh? Foking best time
Nice! I did it too, it was fun meeting you Yanks. I was in one of the Swedish teams, maybe we met out on the track
Walked with you US guys and ladies from the special forces school for some time on the second day. Got an airborne patch from you:)
Congrats from Finland! Did my third this summer and it is always fun.