Introduction to Ultra's

Since I started taking running seriously, I knew that distance was what excited me. 

How far can you go? How much can you push yourself? How do you train to get ready for the long hurty stuff?

This mindset led me down the Ultramarathon route. 

Ultras had fascinated me for a while and it was in July 22 that I decided to attempt my first.

I'd signed up for a race put on by Rasselbock. If you haven't heard of them or follow them on social media you are missing out. Their events are lap based and you have 6 hours to do as much or as little as you want. Plus their aid stations are the best.

With a 6 hour time limit my goal was to hit the 50km mark. 

The race was held at Gedling Country Park with a lap distance of about 5km. With the added bonus of 100m of elevation each lap.

Looking back, I went off way too fast. The first mile was done in 7:34 (I was going to pay for that later). I was also treating the hills like I would in shorter distance races (free speed). Again, something I would pay for later.

All was going well for the first 25km, but then my earlier excitement caught up with me. I wasn't able to sustain the pace and the hills had taken their toll on my legs.

The last 25km of the race were a case of 'get your head down and get the job done'. Pace was slowed dramatically, I was walking the hills and the downhills were taken alot slower.

In the end, I crossed the 50km line in 5hours and 35minutes. Still a good time but not what I was aiming for.

The lessons I learnt from that first Ultra are still fresh in my mind and I remind myself of them often.

Don't go out fast. It's a long race, so get to know what pace you can maintain comfortably. 

Fueling. As this was a lap event, I decided to run with just a belt instead of a race pack. My plan was to use the aid station each lap to top up fuel. What I should have done and do now, is run with a race pack. I've spent enough time running with one to be comfortable wearing it and it means you can carry more fuel and have better access to it.

In January 23 I would be back at another Rasselbock event with the aim of "righting the wrongs" of this race. My aim that day was to cover the 50km in under 5 hours.

Setting off at a more controlled pace and having a better fueling plan helped me achieve a time of 4 hours 56 minutes.