Completing a 50-mile walk in one day was, without question, the hardest thing I’d ever done, both physically and mentally. Starting at 4:00 am on October 19th 2024 from my shop, Cannonball Garage—pretty much the farthest suburb of Chicago—I set my sights on reaching Navy Pier on the downtown Chicago lakefront. After over 16 grueling hours and logging an astounding 95,000 steps, I reached my goal. This is the story of how I got here.
A Dedication to Marshall: Honoring a Friend’s Legacy
This blog post is dedicated to my friend Marshall Dickholtz, who just recently passed away. Marshall was pivotal in my life and someone who believed deeply in the power of honoring your word with deep respect. His lessons and encouragement left a lasting impact on me, more than anyone else in my lifetime. The last message he ever left me spoke to this very value, and I want to share it with you because it resonated so deeply with my journey to complete this 50-mile walk.
“Hey Arne, Marshall. I just wanted to share something that opened up for me as I’m thinking about the conversation we just had about your 50-mile walk. You were doing it because you said you would do it. You told other people you were doing it and you were following through on what you said. Here’s what is so critical: people know you as somebody who keeps their word, somebody who, what they say, is what’s going to happen. That is just so valuable, such a precious thing to know that you have the perception of how people listen for what it is that you say and that people that you’re in relationship with and others, that’s how they honor you, by respecting your word. Just thought I’d share this with you because it’s just so precious. Bye Arne, I’ll talk to you another time…”
Marshall’s words reminded me why this challenge mattered so much to me. His lessons have given me strength in the hardest moments and now serve as a lasting reminder of the importance of integrity, honoring what you say. This walk was not just a physical journey—it was a reflection of the values Marshall lived by and the ones I strive to uphold.
The Inspiration Behind the 50-Mile Walk
I have a habit of setting ambitious, some might say ridiculous, goals. Marshall often told me I had an interesting way of looking at the world, and he wasn’t wrong. Whether it’s cycling, breaking the Cannonball Run record or taking on other endurance challenges, I’m drawn to the kind of feats that push limits and test resilience.
This particular challenge began when my friend Amer suggested I read The 12-Hour Walk. The concept is simple yet profound: walk for 12 hours while completely disconnected from the outside world—no music, no podcasts, no calls, no messages. It’s not about how far you go; it’s about stepping away from the noise and reconnecting with yourself. In May 2024, I decided to take on the 12-hour challenge and walked 25 miles.
Around that same time, I learned about my friend Britta, who had walked 50 miles in a day to celebrate her 50th birthday—a truly incredible feat. Not long after, I found further inspiration in my buddy Kyle Loftis of 1320 Video, who completed the 50-Mile March in August 2024 in honor of his Dad. These stories, combined with my own experience during the 12-hour walk, sparked a question I couldn’t shake: Could I push myself to walk 50 miles in a single day?
Planning the Route
When it came to plotting out a course, I knew I needed a long-distance destination that would keep me motivated. Walking in circles around a park wasn’t going to cut it. At first, I considered Lake Geneva, which offered scenic walking paths but felt too monotonous. That’s when I looked up the distance from Gilberts, IL, to Navy Pier. The idea of ending in downtown Chicago, with its dynamic urban landscape, seemed perfect. A weekend forecast showing highs in the low 70s provided the perfect weather window. It was time to go for it.
The First Half: Finding My Stride
I set out in the dark at 4:00 am with a post to my Instagram Story stating what I was up to, Navy Pier or bust. No turning back now! The first goal was making it through Mount Prospect by midday. I knew that walking into the city would be both motivating and filled with sights that would keep me engaged. However, I also knew that busy intersections and traffic lights could slow me down, so I factored in the potential delays.
Around the halfway point, I had planned to stop at my mom’s house in Mount Prospect to change shoes and socks—a lesson learned from speaking to Kyle Loftis about his journey. This small change made a significant difference, providing comfort and a mental boost as I set off again. But first, lunch at one of my favorite hometown spots, Olympus Gyros!
Pushing Through the Doubt
The second half of the walk was where the real challenge began. I made a stop at the cemetery to visit my dad’s grave—a moment that was both grounding and emotional. From there, I had mapped out my route to Navy Pier, and it totaled exactly 50 miles. That final destination wasn’t just symbolic; it was non-negotiable. Seeing as I wasn’t sure I could even make the full 50 miles, I certainly couldn’t afford to add more. I had also planned to stop by my parents’ and grandparents’ childhood homes, but by mile 35, I was questioning whether I could even finish. The fatigue was setting in, my pace was slowing, and doubts were creeping in, but the idea of not reaching Navy Pier was unthinkable.
By mile 40, the thought of stopping and trying again after more training was in the forefront of my mind. I was worn out and doubting myself, but I remembered why I was doing this. I’ve always honored my word with deep respect, and when I publicly said I was going to walk 50 miles, I knew I had to see it through. That commitment, rooted in my values, pushed me forward and kept me moving one step at a time.
The Final Stretch
At mile 45, I felt very weak and checked my watch: I had burned over 5,000 calories but had only taken in around 1,500. A quick pit stop for a Clif Bar and a Gatorade gave me the energy boost I desperately needed to keep moving.
The last five miles were the most grueling. My body was tired, my legs heavy, and my mind was locked in a battle between stopping and pushing through. But I kept going, step after step, until finally, at 8:00 pm, I reached Navy Pier. The end was a mix of sheer relief and overwhelming gratification. I was also thankful for my buddy Omar who picked me up and let me stay at his place Downtown because I was in no shape to go any further!
Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
This walk taught me more than I expected. It was a reminder that sometimes you have to set seemingly impossible goals just to see how far you can push yourself. It’s not always about succeeding easily—it’s about the mental and physical grind, overcoming doubt, and seeing something through when you have every reason to stop.
Completing a 50-mile walk was more than just a personal milestone. It was proof that with determination and the right mindset, you can push past what you once thought were your limits. If there’s a takeaway from this experience, it’s this: set wild goals and chase them. You might just find that you’re capable of more than you ever imagined.
Thank you to everyone who encouraged me throughout the day, @omarurrlife for picking up and giving me a place to stay and @kyle_1320video for coaching me on things gearing up for this!
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Facebook: Arne’s Antics
Instagram: @arnesantics
TikTok: @arnesantics
YouTube: Arne’s Antics
