Running ultramarathons is a learning process and I guess you never stop learning. While last weekend’s hundred is fresh in my mind I wanted to make a few notes of things I might have / should have done differently. Firstly and most importantly looking after your feet is absolutely paramount for this event. This goes far beyond picking your most comfortable shoes and toughing it out, as we found to our cost. Secondly, I was very sick at Scarth Gap possibly because of going too fast in the heat , but also possibly because I’d taken on board some SIS drink I’d not tried before. Thirdly, wearing comfortable clothes and kit. My t-shirt and 20 lt OMM rucksack performed well; my Nike traditional running shorts were far from perfect. Lycra is needed and I should know that by now. Lastly, the food at the checkpoints isn’t great and is largely sweet. Some kind of easy-to-carry savoury food is needed. Running ultramarathons is also a very personal thing. These notes might help someone else but are basically for me to help me perform better next year (hopefully anyway!)
Hi DT.
ReplyDeleteI could have written exactly the same notes after my Lyke Wake Race a couple of weeks ago. I pushed the pace in the heat and was as sick as a goose. My shoes are finished, and knobbly old favourite socks caused blisters to form, burst and then bleed. I was totally trashed at the end and all of that could have been avoided.
Back to the drawing board for me. If I'm smart I'll learn a lot from my, and your, experience. Best Wishes