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The hard work is done .The detail is now in the preparation.
The main areas are as always
- Equipment and apparel /Logistics
- Nutrition
- Mental preparation
Equipment and Apparel /Logistics
Lucy Bartholomew packing the mandatory gear.
In preparing for the UTA 100 ,I ted to write down everything starting with my checklist of equipments and clothing for the race. ( the list below is from my first Northface 100 in 2015)
- Preparation includes making list and I have now compiled a short
list taken from various websites and refined for my specific race . I
have also found a good short article titled The complete guide to running your first ultra marathon by Jeremy Berger
- Mandatory Gear for the NorthFace 100
- Running Pack: Salomon SLab 12 pack
- Long Sleeve Thermal Top and pants
- Waterproof Jacket with hood:
- Beanie/Balaclava/Buff:
- Full fingered lightweight gloves: Merino wool jobbies
- High Visibility Safety Vest:
- Headlamp:
- Small backup Headlamp: LED Lenser P5R
- Mobile Phone: Whatever is in your pocket with Telstra (nothing else works)
- Compass:
- Whistle: Part of pack, of just go into any outdoor shop and bag yourself one
- Emergency Space Blanket: Part of Salomon Slab 12l
- Compression Bandage
- FireLighter block
Supplied by the organisers as you never know when you might want to get that steak you’ve been saving in your backpack on the go for dinner - Lightweight Dry Sack: Sea to Summit
- 2L water bladder: Hydrapak I have a 1.5l and 2 small 500 ml flask
The one in the Salomon backpack is only 1.5l. I use Hydrapaks, but again, much down to personal choice. Most generally do what they say they’re going to do, which is hold water and not leak.At the aid stations I will have my 500ml bottles with Tailwind. - Waterproof Map Case
- OPTIONAL GEAR (Likely that you’ll need to stash this at CP4 and use it later on)
Long Leg waterproof pants (unless it is mandatory at the start)
100 weight Long Sleeve fleece top :Take to race
Other Items for the race or traveling to Race destination including :
- Travel documents / certificate for gear check /tickets/photo ID etc
- Mobile phone & charger; back up power for run
- Vaseline
- Bandages/First Aid
- Duct tape
- Moist wipes, paper
- Headlamp extra set with charger will place in CP4
- Fresh batteries
- Garmin watch
- Hokas
- Blister kit, plasters, adhesive promoter
- Drinks / food / nutrition for race
- Clothes
- Race ready Shorts
- Race ready Tights (or 2XU tights with pockets)
- Underwear
- Thin fleece/thermal top
- Cold gear tops
- Wind Jacket
- Ultralight Waterproof Jacket
- Gloves
- Cap
- Arm Warmers
- Socks (several pairs for change at check point)
- Bandana/buff
- Trash Bag for start or emergencies
- Take on race
- Take bottle(s) for tail wind;
- Salt Pills to carry
- Hat
- Moist wipes - you just never know
- painkillers /Ibuprofen
- Blister kit
- Scissors
- Bandage
- Hypodermic
- No doz
- Ibuprofen/anvil
- Salt
- Staying for several days
- clothes for sleeping /change
- toiletries
- Miscellaneous
- Charger for lights
- Post run clothes /slipper
- recovery drink
- Aim for 100-300 grams of protein
Ultimately , I have prepared as best I can and I had fun doing it .The often rolled out line it isn't all about the destination it is about the journey .This one has been great .
The destination is always the goal but you miss the point if you don't stick your head out of the window to enjoy the trip . (so says my dog )
Mental Preparation
To achieve the high most athletes yearn or strive for , there must be a little pain . It may not be necessarily true in all instances but we are familiar with the common throw away lines
EAT THE PAIN
THE PAIN IS TEMPORARY , THE MEMORY FOREVER
Well everything is relative. several years ago on the morning radio in the car , the host interviewed a Perth runner who is running the Transcendental 3100mile race in New York. What The ^&*% is this .
Well there is a race probably reflective of the RAAM for cyclist.and the Deca-Ironman in Mexico Only 10-15 runners running round a 900m block in Brooklyn for 18 hrs a day for the next 50 plus days . His name is Grahak Cunningham.
A short bio on him on the Transcendental website:
Grahak Cunningham, 32, Perth, Australia
Last year Grahak, in his second attempt, finished 3100 miles in 46 days, 11 hours, setting a new Australian record. He moved all the way up to fifth in the 3100 rankings from 14th place. In 2007 with little multi day experience he completed the 3100 mile race in his first attempt in 50 days, three hours.
The Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race
It is these ultra races which have little monetary reward but are huge mental and physical journeys of self discovery. There is a spiritual purpose as all endurance events allow that search within to achieve . Why , and the answer is basic and so true as stated at the award ceremony last year:
You can call the race a test of strength, will-power, fortitude and a display of rare talent for running nearly 17 to 18 hours a day. The athletes we are honoring tonight have gone deep within themselves to acquire a resolve and determination rarely seen or even needed to overcome any obstacle. The obstacle in this case is formidable- a relentless pile of laps, hundreds of them every day, every week, until the total reaches 5649- the multi day runners’ version of the top- the summit, if you will, of the linear Everest. In addition, along the way their is the ever-changing or ‘always there’ presence of fatigue, boredom, doubt or a feeling of lonesomeness that few of us have ever experienced.
Why Run 3100 miles
There are many reasons to race all no different to all human endeavour of endurance. It is a challenge of discovery and as Sri Chimmoy states :
Today's Goal is Tomorrow's Starting point
I will try to have a mantra for the moments when the mind and body is at its lowest and to keep a focus on being ready for these moments .It is at the weakest dark times when the mind will stray .
Afew more mental tips from Inov-8 Robbie Britton:
5-mental-tips-for-running-an-ultra-robbie-britton/
Here are my five top tips for dealing with the mental aspects and getting to that hallowed finish line.
1. Expect the lows
The ultimate high of finishing will always be there so know that however rubbish you feel, it’ll pass. Get some food and water, keep moving and every little thing’s going to be alright.
2. Visualise
Visualise crossing that finish line. In the weeks before a main goal think about how it will feel to cross that finish line, imagine finishing strong in the last 10 miles and being greeted by your family, in awe of your greatness, as you collapse under the weight of your massive medal.
3. Break it down
If I lined up at the start of a 24hr race and thought about the fact that I had to run in circles for the whole day then I’d probably just lay down and cry. Think about the next hour, to the next checkpoint, to the next tree and deal with that bit before thinking about the next section.
4. Enjoy yourself
Remember that race day is the fun part and it’s why you’ve done all the hard work, the early mornings and the hill sprints. If you’re not having fun then chat to and help someone who looks more miserable and this will always cheer you up.
5. Know you are going to finish
Never start a race unless you 100% believe you are going to complete. No matter what happens, how long it takes you or what challenges present themselves. That self belief will stop you making excuses and you can get on with being an absolute hero.
A few more interesting articles on preparation
What you should be focussing on 2 weeks before a race
10-things-no-one-tells-run-ultra-marathon
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