I love a challenge as much as the next man, but I won’t be lining up at any 100m races any time soon. I know I’m well and truly an ultrarunner: my strength lies in distance. The longer it goes, the closer I get to the top of the podium.
Decorated decathlete Daley Thompson was famous for working on his strengths. By destroying the competition in the 100m, long jump and pole vault, he knew that by the time it got to the 1500m, he’d be so far ahead it didn’t matter that he ran like a rugby prop forward. I know that my strength lies in long, flat races. But who wants to be limited to these when so many wonderful races go over rugged mountains and through wooded singletrack?
Last summer I worked hard on my weaknesses: hiking up big climbs, pounding legs on winding descents and preparing for the UTMB. Ultimately, the race didn’t go to plan and I recorded my first DNF. But only ever playing to your strengths can make you weak. Challenging yourself is the better, braver option.
Strength doesn’t have to come from your running, either. Strength workouts (30 minutes of weights and core work two times a week) can improve your results significantly. That said, running well is good for the soul. Have a think back at the races where you’ve performed best. Are they fast and short, or long and technical? Treat yourself occasionally by playing to your strengths, and enjoy steaming past competitors who would usually be miles ahead. I have beaten a 2:08 marathoner in a race, but it certainly wasn’t a road marathon!
