A few months ago, I stumbled across a series of viral social-media posts by people who had walked 100,000 steps in a single day.
Each video seemed to say the same thing: “Yes, it’s crazy, but if I can do it, you can, too!”
At first, I chuckled — 100,000 steps sounded more like a stunt than a realistic fitness goal. But the seed was planted. Curiosity got the better of me, and I started telling myself, “If these influencers can do it, why not me?”
I’ve always been one for a new challenge, so I decided to go for it on a free Saturday — just me, my shoes, and a borderline absurd step target.
Turns out, it was one of the most grueling days I’ve ever had.
The big idea that got me started
I’m the type of person who loves setting small, measurable goals: finishing a 5K, meditating every morning for a week, or logging 10,000 steps daily.
But 100,000 steps in 24 hours is an entirely different animal.
For context, 10,000 steps is roughly 5 miles. Multiply that by 10, and you’re looking at 50 miles.
That’s basically two back-to-back marathons.
The influencers I watched were mostly young, energetic types who documented the entire trek on Instagram and TikTok. They each had their own schedule: some started at sunrise, others pulled an all-nighter.
But they all seemed to adhere to a single, vital rule: keep moving almost constantly — barely any breaks, minimal sitting.
That was the consistent theme. If you sit down for too long, you’ll never make the goal before midnight.
My attempt: dawn to dusk (and beyond)
I kicked off at 6 a.m., water bottle in hand, feeling strangely excited. For the first few hours, I powered through with an upbeat playlist.
Every so often, I’d check my watch: 5,000 steps…10,000 steps…cool, that’s a typical day’s worth, done by breakfast. By mid-morning, a sense of accomplishment floated in.
But that’s right about when my legs started sending warning signals — subtle tightness in my calves, a twinge in my lower back. Nothing major, but enough to make me question my life choices.
By lunch, I’d racked up nearly 25,000 steps.
That’s an impressive total for an entire day, let alone a half-day. But in the context of 100,000 steps, it felt like a drop in the ocean. I kept going, nibbling on protein bars and sipping water.
The occasional short break for a restroom or to refill my bottle turned into an internal debate: “Should I keep standing? If I sit, will I have the willpower to stand back up?”
The “simple” rule that changed everything
At some point, I remembered the advice from those influencers: do not sit unless it’s absolutely necessary.
That’s the one rule that kept popping up in all their stories. They’d mention how once you sit, the exhaustion creeps in, you stiffen up, and stepping away from a comfy chair becomes immeasurably harder.
So, I tried sticking to it — and I discovered why it’s crucial.
After 30,000 steps, I sat for 10 minutes to rest. Standing up was the hardest part of my day so far. My ankles and knees felt stiff like never before, and my motivation level dropped to zero.
From then on, I promised myself: no more extended breaks.
Water pit-stop? Stand. Quick snack? Stand.
If I had to rest, I kept it to a brief minute or two of leaning on a railing instead of fully plopping down.
This strategy did work, in the sense that it kept me going. My pace was slow but steady. Even so, the process was pure mental warfare.
By 40,000 steps, I was mostly numb from the hips down. By 50,000, I was thinking, “I’m halfway? Are you kidding me?”
The reality check around 70,000 steps
Sometime in the late evening — maybe 8 or 9 p.m. — I managed to clear 70,000 steps.
My phone battery was dying from all the music and step-tracking. Every part of my body ached. I was still outside, in a residential area, just walking loops around blocks to stay safe under streetlights.
Mentally, I was a mess.
I’d lost track of time, hunger, and basically any sense of normalcy. The only reason I continued was that I’m stubborn, and I’d come this far.
I fantasized about a warm bath, a cozy bed, literally any posture that wasn’t upright. But I knew if I allowed myself to lie down, I’d never finish.
So I did something ridiculous:
I started texting friends, just to keep myself entertained and accountable. I told them, “Don’t let me quit until I hit 100,000.” They sent me words of encouragement (and a lot of “What the heck are you doing?!”).
That bittersweet finish line
Finally, near midnight, I hit 100,000 steps.
There was no confetti, no cheering crowd, just a final beep on my step counter and me collapsing onto my couch. I was so wiped out, I didn’t even bother to cook dinner — I just ate trail mix and promptly fell asleep.
The next day, my legs felt as if I’d run a marathon.
Actually, I suspect the damage was worse because it was slower, more prolonged, and with fewer rest intervals. My lower back hated me, my feet had hot spots that nearly turned into blisters, and I found it borderline painful to climb stairs for a couple of days.
Did I feel proud?
Part of me did — endurance challenges have a way of empowering you. But another part of me felt, “Never again!”
This was such a time-consuming, physically draining goal that by the end, it seemed more pointless than badass.
So, is it worth it?
Here’s the short answer: probably not.
Unless you have a very specific reason for needing to walk that much in one day (like a charity fundraiser or a personal mental challenge), it’s far beyond what’s necessary for health or fitness.
A standard daily step goal (like 10,000 steps) already does wonders for most people’s well-being. Going tenfold is purely for bragging rights or personal curiosity.
Yes, it’s doable — I’m living proof.
The “simple” rule is that you essentially can’t allow yourself to sit down much at all. Because once you do, that head start on fatigue will crush your motivation.
You also need plenty of water, snacks, portable phone chargers, and decent footwear. Even then, it’s an epic slog.
My key takeaways
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Know your ‘why’: If you’re doing this just to see if you can, be honest about how tough it will be.
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Non-stop movement is king: Frequent breaks are the enemy if you have a ticking clock.
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Expect major soreness: This is beyond typical exercise. Plan to recover for a couple of days afterward.
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Enjoy simpler step goals: For health and fitness, consistent 10k or 15k steps daily is far more sustainable—and just as rewarding.
Conclusion
Walking 100,000 steps in 24 hours is less about improving your health or enjoying a fun walk, and more about testing sheer determination and physical grit.
I can’t say I regret doing it, but I wouldn’t rush to repeat it.
If you’re genuinely curious, then sure, give it a go — just be ready to sacrifice an entire day (and the following couple of days for recovery), keep breaks minimal, and remember that it’s a stunt, not a balanced fitness routine.
Sometimes, pushing your limits feels empowering. Just know what you’re getting into and decide if it’s truly worth the strain.
As for me, I’m going back to my moderate daily steps — my feet and sanity are thankful for the return to normalcy.
