A work colleague is hoping to undertake his first ultra later in the year, if the pandemic starts to get under control and events can restart. I thought I'd put together a list of snippets I felt important to a long distance event, then I thought I would write it on here, more to remind myself of these ideas. So, here goes. Apologies if these have been written on a long - deleted blog in the past : apologies if you think these points are a load of rubbish : apologies if these have all been written on multiple ultra race publications: apologies again if they sound like car bumper stickers, they are not meant to. They are just my ideas, and personal to me.
So.....
Most obvious, probably, you run your own race, with your own goals, own timings, own method. Getting too involved in someone else's game plan can seriously mess with your head and end in disappointment.
Never, ever, think of the whole distance. It can be way too overwhelming. Just checkpoint to checkpoint.
Expect the downparts, as well as the feeling OK parts.
You're in this for a long, long, day and night(s) out, its an adventure.
Nine times out of ten, its your head that will stop you completing.
Only choose an event which you feel passionate about, you are more likely to train well for something that captures your mind.
I have a strict routine at checkpoints: toilet, eat, check phone, refill flasks, address any blisters, toilet, leave. Try not to dither too much, keep it slick. Walk out of the checkpoint to commence the next section. Here we go. There's a reason why some races clap you out of a checkpoint.
Never try new kit in an event. It usually ends in tears. Put things in exactly the same place in your running pack, it becomes instinct where to find them when you are fatigued.
Is it really the end of the world if you don't complete? Especially after seeing the experiences of some people through this pandemic. (I will really try and remind myself this later in the year, ahem).
OK, that's enough.
Keep going guys, keep running, let's try and look past this time of restriction and dream of what may be ahead.
