While most of us consider the classic marathon distance of 26.2 miles to be a long way, to a hardened ultrarunner it’s just a training run. While any event longer than 26.2 miles counts as an ultra, most are 30 miles or more, with some clocking in at well over the 100-mile mark.
Running these distances is challenging, but ultra runners report a new level of the ‘runner’s high’, which, combined with the fulfillment of pushing yourself to the max, makes them return to ultras time and time again.
1 Anyone can do it
As daunting as it may sound, an ultra is by no means impossible for even an experienced runner.
Ultramarathon runner Chris Foreman went from being a self-confessed couch potato to running The Wall, a 69-mile course along Hadrian’s Wall.
2 Preparing the ground
No matter what you’re made of, you need to train well to run successful ultras. The first thing you need to do is get a few marathons under your belt.
“The more marathons you can do before attempting an ultra, the better,” says running coach and ultra distance runner Helen Taranowski, who was the 2012 World 50K champion.
3 Getting the miles in
In the 1980s, top distance runners shared their training tips in a series of booklets that have just been reissued in one volume, Training for Ultra Running.
One of the featured runners is Stephen Moore, multiple winner of the London to Brighton road race. “The first step is to get the race date in your diary, preferably 12 months ahead,” he advises.
“The second step is to plan a training programme, building up both your long training run and weekly mileage, while restricting increases to a maximum of 10 per cent per week.
“The third step is to insert into the plan a series of races – 10K, 10-mile and half-marathon distances for speed, and a few marathons for stamina.”
4 Mental toughness
Ultra champion Moire O’Sullivan spent many of her first ultras battling with herself. In her book Mud, Sweat and Tears she recalls a negative inner voice that repeatedly bullied her and encouraged her to give up.
One of the ways she eventually triumphed and became the first runner to complete the Wicklow Round (a 100K race up and down 26 mountains) in under 24 hours was by toughening up mentally. Most ultra runners agree that this is the secret to going the distances.
5 Start off slow
Reaching ultra level takes time and patience and is best done gradually, advises Taranowski. “When I started running I couldn’t even run a mile and couldn’t imagine ever running the distances I now do,” she admits.
Over time, you will change. Your mind will become more resilient, your body will become leaner and you too will become an ultrarunner.
