Walking Programs

Safety is our number one priority. We need safety to be your number one priority too.

There are two training program below layout an ideal program and a minimum program. Beginning walkers should allow themselves 18 weeks to prepare for Challenge Walk MS. If you complete the 18-week ideal program, you will be able to master Challenge Walk MS with energy to spare. The minimum program is a 12-week program for beginning walkers who do not have 18 weeks available to prepare for the Challenge Walk MS. Walkers who have 18 weeks to train but cannot safely complete 13 miles of walking in one week should start with the minimum program and then switch over to the ideal program at an appropriate point.

Experienced walkers with a solid fitness base may begin the ideal program at week 4, week 6, or as late as week 10 and repeat the final weeks of the program in order to fill any remaining weeks before the event.

The goal is to increase your total mileage safely. This is done mainly by adding one long walk to the distance per week. For the most part, you should still rest every other day to recharge your body and muscles, but since you’re training for a two day event, you’ll occasionally do back-to-back long walks. Speed is not an issue until you are able to walk the distance comfortably, but try to walk a little bit faster one day per week. Each week may be altered to fit your schedule, but sticking to a schedule is important for optimum training. If you find one week is too difficult, repeat it before you progress.

Training calendars