There’s something slightly ridiculous about deciding that a marathon just isn’t quite far enough.
At some point you hear about a 50km ultra and think, “It’s only another 8km…”
Technically, yes.
But there are a few things I wish I’d known before taking on my first 50km.
1. You Don’t Have to Run the Whole Thing
This was probably one of the biggest things to get my head around.
Walking is part of the journey.
On a trail ultra, especially one with plenty of climbing, walking the steep hills can actually be the smartest thing to do. Save your legs and keep moving. You can start to run again when the terrain allows.
You’ll be surprised how many very good ultra runners walk the hills.
2. Start Slower Than You Think You Should
The start line is dangerous.
You’re excited. Everyone takes off. Your legs feel amazing. Suddenly you're running a pace you definitely didn't plan on running.
And you've still got many hours to go.
If the first 10km feels really easy, you're probably doing ok.
There is plenty of time later in the race to speed up if you're still feeling good.
3. Eating Is Part of the Race
You can probably get through a 5km or 10km without thinking much about food.
Not an ultra.
Once you're out there for hours, eating and drinking becomes part of the job.
The trick is figuring out what your stomach can handle. Practicing before race day is important.
Gels are great for some people. Others prefer bananas, lollies, sandwiches, pizza, sports drink or a bit of Coke later in the race. There is no one solution for every runner.
Long training runs aren't just about training your legs. They're also training your stomach.
4. Look After Your Feet
A tiny hotspot at 15km can become a very big problem at 40km.
Good socks and shoes you've already tested are key. Dealing with rubbing feet early can save your race.
Don't try brand-new shoes on race day because they look nice with your outfit. They will be ruined when you cross the finish line.
Your feet do not care.
5. There Will Probably Be a Bad Patch
This was an important one.
At some point you might feel terrible.
Your legs hurt. You're tired. You've had enough. You're questioning your life choices and wondering why you are not watching Netflix instead.
It doesn't necessarily mean your race is over.
Eat something. Drink. Slow down. Walk for a bit.
Sometimes 20 minutes later you're a completely different runner.
6. Strength Training Actually Matters
Running more kilometres isn't always the answer.
Strong glutes, quads, calves and core make a massive difference when you've been on your feet for hours. Particularly when you're climbing and descending.
Those gym sessions might not feel very exciting compared with a big trail run, but you'll appreciate them late in the race. A couple of sessions per week is usually enough.
7. Downhills Can Hurt More Than Uphills
Everyone worries about the climbs.
Then you discover what a long downhill feels like when your quads are already destroyed. Not to mention your toes and the toenails you wish you could have back.
Training downhill running is just as important as training the climbs.
And if you're doing a hilly ultra, stairs and hill repeats suddenly start making a lot more sense.
8. Your Crew Can Make a Huge Difference
Having someone waiting at an aid station can completely change your day.
Usually, you don't need an inspirational speech, just a hug or high 5 goes a very long way.
Someone to refill your bottles, hand you some food and tell you to stop complaining and keep moving.
A good crew can help you think clearly when your brain isn't particularly interested in making decisions anymore.
9. You Will Learn a Lot About Yourself
There's a point in long-distance running where fitness only gets you so far.
Eventually it becomes mental.
You learn that you can keep moving while you're tired. You can climb another hill when you really don't want to. You can have a terrible hour and then somehow come good again.
That's probably one of the reasons ultras become addictive.
It's not necessarily about being the fastest person out there.
Sometimes it's simply finding out how far you're willing to keep going.
10. The Finish Line Makes It Worthwhile
There will be moments during training when you're tired.
There'll be early mornings when you'd rather stay in bed.
There'll probably be a point during the race when you swear you're never doing another one.
Then you see the finish line.
Crossing it after everything you've put into getting there is difficult to describe until you've experienced it yourself.
And strangely enough, it usually doesn't take very long before you start wondering…
What's the next one?
One Last Thing
You don't need to look like an ultra runner.
You don't need to be fast.
And you don't need to have everything figured out before you start.
Train consistently. Practise eating and drinking. Look after your body and don't be afraid to slow down when you need to.
Most importantly, enjoy the experience.
Running a 50km ultra is a very big achievement.
And when you're training before sunrise, finishing after sunset, or squeezing your kilometres in around everyday life, stay visible with The Dark Mile