Paul Smith, Race Director of the Satmap 10 Peaks, explains how not to prepare for the biggest race of your life.
I decided many months ago that I would like to do something special to mark my 40th. I had a small window of opportunity, as my wife was expecting our third child in April and I didn't want to race in the middle of winter. I researched many ultras in March before I came across the Centurion Thames Path 100. I had already been convinced that if I was going to do an ultra I might as well make it a long one. Almost as if it wasn't worth getting all hot and bothered just to run 40 miles! Sadly the event was full so I put my name on a reserve list and put it to the back of mind whilst I spent my spare time demolishing our house.
Then in the middle of January I got an email from James Elson, one of the event organisers, letting me know I had a place! My first thoughts - fantastic! Perfect, I am going to run my first 100 miler! Closely followed by, do I have enough time to prepare? January, February, March - three months, can it be done?
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I sent an email to two friends, one a very experienced ultra and fell runner having completed the Bob Graham Round and the UTMB on more than one occasion. The other, someone who I have raced and trained with many times during adventure races and the Satmap 10 Peaks. Both said that they thought I could do it within three months. So I entered the following day.
Then I noticed the countdown clock on the event website. 56 days to go. In my excitement I had badly calculated the time I had to prepare. The event was on 3rd March so of course I didn't have three months, I had eight weeks having not run at all for the previous eight! Bring on the challenge.
Ripping up the Rule Book
I have never been a fan of following the rule book, I have read it, but ignore it. This has lead to many injuries and a bad back which often stops me even walking properly for a week at a time. My recent history has also shown that my immune system isn't the best so over training could easily lead to illness if it doesn't lead to injury. I didn't have time to worry about either option so I started taking a pro-biotic and launched in to my running.
Week one, day one: 40 minutes - I walked like an old man the following day. But somehow running helped and I ran three mornings that week for just over an hour at a time followed by a two hour coastal run on the Saturday. Nearly 40 miles in the first week and feeling good. I ran another 40 miles in week two, including a long run of 3.5 hours and I was already feeling confident about what was to come.
Week three wasn't so good. I got up at 6am for my morning run and felt a familiar twinge in my lower back when I sat on the floor to do some sit-ups. I did some gentle stretching and headed out in to the darkness aiming just for a gentle jog to loosen things up a bit. It was incredibly painful so I limped home after just a few minutes. After some strong painkillers, anti-inflammatories, Chiropractic treatment and five days' rest I was able to run again. I headed out on the Sunday for an hour, disappointed that I was going to miss my 4.30 run but happy that I was running again.
Then I started researching what a 100 mile training plan might look like. I only found one. It was based on the fact that you had just had 4 weeks rest after running a 50 miler and the schedule last for six months! I would need to skip a few weeks. The schedule involved splitting the long weekend run in two by doing a 30 miler on the Saturday and 20 on Sunday. They advised not running further for the last 16 weeks of your training! Added to this were two or three midweek runs.
Last weekend I followed this plan with a flat 30 on Saturday, stopping only once for a slice of Guernsey Gâche, and completed the 30 miles in 4.45. Sunday I opted for a hilly 20-22 miles which actually felt ok although I am still unable to imagine combining my weekend training in to one day and doubling it! I would only have one more hard weekend before starting to taper.
Only time will tell if it is possible to train for a 100 mile ultra in 56 days. Those who wish to follow my progress can view the Centurion website for live updates.
What Next? If you're thinking of running an ultra marathon, see what Five things ultra runners can't do without.
How did you get on?