10 things I wish I knew before my first ultra marathon
When I finished my first ultra marathon back in 2014, I made a boat load of mistakes in getting to the start line of Race to the Stones.
With over 6 years of ultra running under my belt, I truly wish I’d known a few things sooner about what to expect in those early years because it would have helped avoid getting injured.
And more importantly, it meant I would have gotten their so much quicker and more had heaps more fun along the way.
Have you got your sights set on training for your first ultra marathon? Curious about what it takes to step foot into the crazy world of ultra running but have a tonne of questions about how to get started. Or maybe you’ve got your first ultra coming up later this year and want as few tips from someone who has been exactly where you are right now?
Then you are in the right place!
As your running coach, I want you to avoid making the same pitfalls I did.
Read on to find out the 10 things you wish someone had told you before your first ultra marathon now.
1. Prep is everything. Plan for every eventuality and trust the process
There are so many considerations out on the trails especially if you are running in the mountains. I always encourage my runners to focus on the controllables in training and find joy in the journey of getting to the start line. I want you to stand on that start line knowing we have worked through even the tiniest of detail to make sure your event is a success.
2. Figure out your ‘why’ so you can keep pushing when things get hard
This is one of the first things I ask my runners to bring to the start line. Aside from all the physical training you’ll undergo to finish your first ultra marathon, often half the battle is in your head. You will encounter extreme highs and lows so you’re going to need a damn good reason to pick yourself up. Don’t worry, it doesn’t need to be anything fancy and grandiose.
3. You don’t have to go fast, you just have to go forward
Forward motion is forward motion no matter what speed you are going at. The focus in ultra running is all about enjoyment over pace. No one is going to ask you what time your ultra marathon time was the way they do after a marathon because you just finished a freaking ultra and that’s a long way! In fact, you don’t have to run them at all, you are practically encouraged to walk, even the elites do it.
4. Don’t worry about time or pace. Especially on your first one.
This conversation is starting to come up with a lot of my athletes lately as their goal races are creeping closer. The truth is, if this is your first time stepping up to the ultra distance, I would encourage you to think about some process related goals such as dialling in on your nutrition, enjoying the experience, finishing strong without injury rather than aiming for a specific time. Unlike road running where you can simulate 99% of race day in training, there are so many variables to consider on the trails. Setting a time goal is only going to add additional pressure and besides you are going to PB anyway, it’s your first!
5. Practise trail running in the dark
For most beginner ultra distances such as the 50k you won’t necessarily be out on the trails in the dark. However, anything from the 50 mile and upwards distance means you will most likely be going through one if not two nights so it’s important you get a feel for what it’s like running at night and get a chance to test out that fancy new head torch you’ve just bought before race day.
6. The last mile is by far the longest
If you know you know. I experienced this first hand on my first 100 miler Thames Path 100. I remember getting to the 1-mile marker and seeing a little kid holding a sign saying, ‘1 mile down, 99 miles to go’. I then saw this same kid right before the finishing line with a different sign ‘99 miles down, 1 mile to go’. That final mile felt way longer than anything that had gone before, don’t underestimate the distance.
7. Don’t try anything new on the day
I don’t mean to state the obvious here, but this is the cardinal rule of ultra running and still I see so many runners who are still guilty of it. The longer your distance the more difficult this is to get away with. From wearing new shoes on race day to trialling a bunch of new snacks; I’ve seen it all. Make sure you start experimenting with kit, food, and hydration as early as possible.
8. Left foot, right foot repeat until someone gives you a medal
As you’ve done in training the power in small consistent steps is everything and this is where the magic happens. If you commit to making a tiny bit of progress every day, in a year you’ll look back and be amazing at how far those seemingly small steps have taken you. And it’s the same on race day, break it down in small manageable chunks. Whether that’s just getting to the next check point or next mile marker.
9. Look after your feet
One of the biggest mistakes I made going into Lakeland100 last year was taking care of my feet before and during the event. Make sure your feet are in the best possible shape going into your event and don’t delay sorting out any issues you have during. I’m now a sucker for regular appointments with my podiatrist, a pre-race pedicure and if you’re being extra fancy some places even have a medical pedicure service.
10. Get a good running coach
Having the support of someone who has been exactly where you are right now is invaluable. The reality is you don’t have to be a professional runner to work with a running coach and for many of the runners I work with it’s the first time they have ever worked with a coach before. It doesn’t matter how beginner or experienced you are. If you have big goals you want to achieve, they are valid, and you deserve to be supported period. ⠀
I’d love to know which one of these tips you found most useful? Maybe there is one you think deserves to be here? Let me know in the comments or drop me a message on social media.
101 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR FIRST ULTRA MARATHON
Want more like this?
If you liked what you just read, be sure to download the rest of the tips and tricks to help you in crossing that finish line.
Don’t take my word for it these are all tips from runners just like you who have been exactly where you are right now.
Hit the button below to download the 101 things you need to know before your first ultra now.