How long would YOU last?

[IUSMPhD]

I'm rereading The Long Walk, which is one of my faves. This will be the first book I've EVER read 3 times (I've read a few twice).

Anyway, it had me thinking. Do you think it's possible to keep walking and sleep at the same time like the characters did in the book? I feel like I would probably be able to make it until I had to fall asleep. First night at best. Then I'd be screwed.

[sam peebles]

I think I could make it at least twenty four hours, as long as something unpredictable like a charlie horse or my shoes filling up with pus didn't happen. Probably more then twenty four hours really. I've stayed up for much longer than that, and without the threat of a bullet. The only problem would be keeping up that four mile per hour pace. That's a pretty brisk walk, and I always had trouble imagining them walking backwards to pee or watch somebody buy their ticket while keeping up with that. I think three miles per hour would've been better.

[Natjen26]

I think about five minutes. I'll probably be the first one to be shot down. :laugh:

[Jax]

Nope, I'd be a goner for sure. Maybe I could make it 32-36 hours then buh-bye.

[GravemakersAndGunslingers]

I'm fairly fit and have a iron will, so I think I would last a decent amount of time. I think it would be fun to recreate the Long Walk in real life, perhaps for charity - minus the brutal gunning down when you fail though! :biggrin2:

[noharmzim]

Good question. I probably wouldn't make it out of Maine :) How long did it take them to reach New Hampshire? Even though I just finished rereading it, I don't remember.

[Black Suit]

yea I just finished my first read of it not too long ago and it is still lingering in my head. I cannot walk one step in my daily life without thinking of it and it reminds me just how much we take our feet for granted..

I'm not sure how long I'd last but not too long

[phidgt]

Yeah, the body just says enough after awhile. A friend of mine was able to stay on his feet while sound asleep after exhaustion took over at Mardi Gras. He had a full Hurricane in his hand and never spilled a drop. It was quite amazing actually.

[johnny39]

couple miles, then I'd have a hole in my head.

[Charms7]

I don't believe I have ever experienced walking in my sleep. Too much going on and I'd be afraid I'd miss something!

[BlackThorn]

I haven't read it, but I'd probably run as long as I could and try to get there fastest. It's just how my nature goes. Completely when there's important stuff at stake.

[Damaris]

First night? I probably wouldn't make it to first tea-time. But as for walking while asleep, I figured it wasn't really the sort of sleep a person would normally experience but a shallower version, where the brain would only partially zonk out to get some rest and reboot. (It's been a long, long time since I've read The Long Walk so I'm not sure how descriptive Mr. King was about it or if I'm even in the neighborhood of making sense...)

[ComeUntoSweetDeath]

I think it's possible to sleep walking but not for hours and not to fast.
If my life was really on the line i probably push myself til i was crazy or my legs cramped.

[sam peebles]

I haven't read it, but I'd probably run as long as I could and try to get there fastest. It's just how my nature goes. Completely when there's important stuff at stake.

That's not really how it works. The problem is you're not trying to get anywhere specifically, so you can't get there fastest. You're just trying to be the last one still walking at least four miles per hour.

[Perse Jr.]

I'd like to say I'd last really long (I'm a stubborn competitor), but who knows? Like sam said, something unexpected could happen; an ache or pain or pus! I think I'd be the underdog to start and then shock everyone with my surprising endurance.

[jenboxer77]

I think I could make it pretty far. I am strong willed and underestimated a lot of the time. Four miles per hour is pretty brisk for someone with short legs though. Someone tall with longer legs (like Steve) would probably do better at a challenge like this. I too think it would be a great idea to try something like this, sans the buying a ticket part. ;)

[MagicKiss]

Wow what a question, I think that the thought in the back of my mind of the gun waiting if I did not keep up would keep me going twice as long as I would on a normal walk. I can do about 3 miles an hour on a slope at the gym so I might be able to do the 4 miles an hour thinkin about that gun.

[Black Suit]

I'm fairly fit and have a iron will, so I think I would last a decent amount of time. I think it would be fun to recreate the Long Walk in real life, perhaps for charity - minus the brutal gunning down when you fail though!

I am so up for this.. it should be definitley be done.. and it should go towards getting more books into our elementary schools

[catnoel]

I probably would last a while. I grew up taking walks and that is my favorite thing to do. I probably would buy a ticket when I went crazy from the pain or just plain went crazy. I don't think I will test the theory:cool2:

[wally wonder]

well if i was writing the story, i'd win, hands down, walkin on my hands even, since i'd be the hero of the story, or in my case, heroine...isn't that a drug?

[natalia101]

i think i would last somewhere into the first night but ive never been in a situation where i would be shot if i fall behind! so maybe i'd last longer than i think, i guess it may depend on how strong the individual's will to live is:oo:

[michal]

In the army by brothers said, it happens all the time. 3 days straight or 3 weeks straight of sleeping 2 hours or less a night and you find yourself sleeping while you walk.

And not sound cocky - but I'd definitely be the last one standing. It's not physical shape necessarily (although I am an athlete), but persistence. As long as they'd be someone walking next to me, I'd keep on walking, until they'll be no one else left.

[JRLauer]

couple miles, then I'd have a hole in my head.

Don't worry, in that story someone will do it for you.

[Tooley]

I would die... quickly.

[Speedygi81]

If I can last a few minutes, I will last the whole schbang.

[staropeace]

You guys actually sound like the characters in the story...pondering on how long they would last.

I cant imagine walking in my sleep and keeping the pace fast enough to keep from getting a warning.

[SKfan2006]

i wouln't last for half an hour since i tire easily.

[smooth operator]

I would be a definite goner. Less than half an hour and I would be eliminated.

[MyLife4YouSK]

I've walked an hour maybe hour and a half one time straight out, no stops. It is so tiring on the feet. I'd buy my ticket that night for sure. We should SO do this as a charity event! Again minus the soldiers with guns. :)

Ms. Mod set this up for the SKMB convention next year! ???

[morefutility]

Once, many years ago, I fell asleep while standing up. I know that it is possible, but if I remember correctly, I sort of toppled over on the poor boy to my right. As per the walking part, I let my dog drag me around the block several times a day, but at that pace (4 miles per hour) I would need the threat of a bullet to keep up. This is how I know I will never be a qualified yuppie, my fitness abilities are in direct proportion to the level of immediate physical danger. Thought about getting a stationary bike, but my dreams are strange enough already.

[ihavepromisestokeep]

I'm doing my own Long Walk for charity in June. I have to trek up and down the 3 highest peaks in the UK in 24 hours, including traveling time.

Ben Nevis in Scotland
Scarfel Pike in England
Snowdon in Wales

It's going to be quite a challenge.

[IUSMPhD]

You would have to make the final prize huge to do it in real life sans the killing. It would have to be a winner take all with the final prize being something like $10,000,000. Otherwise, people would bow out way to quickly.

[Cognac]

i think 30 hours. but my instincts would kick in, but id probably only go 35 tops. or 7 and im totally exagerating . . .