Ultra training for beginners

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Gromit 14 Jan 1:52pm, 14 Jan 2024 1,929 posts	0 Gromit Another one to add to the above is …. Never decide to quite heading into a check point or in the case of EFM don’t climb into a car / cafe / McDonald’s and decide to quit .. get in car / cafe / McDonalds and get some good food / drink inside you and chill out , evaluate how brill you’re doing and crack on to the next marker point 💪 Ps if the boy decides not to do it you’re welcome to tag on with us as well be heading the same way 😜
paulcook 14 Jan 1:53pm, 14 Jan 2024 4,093 posts	0 paulcook I always say you’re not allowed to quit unless you’ve thought about it at least 3 times.
fetcheveryone 14 Jan 2:00pm, 14 Jan 2024 30,074 posts	0 fetcheveryone Thank you for the offer Gromit. I think that if the boy doesn’t do it, I might aim towards Bedford to make supporting a bit easier for K.
Sam Jelfs 14 Jan 2:03pm, 14 Jan 2024 1,438 posts	0 Sam Jelfs With EfM don't just think about running at night, but that you are starting at midnight when you are already tired and going through the night and potentially into the second night without sleep. I am a big fan of tailwind drinks, been able to do many ultras purely fuelled on it. The book "Fixing your feet" is worth a read, especially if you are planning to run off road in the wet and mud. I hate having things bounce and move in my backpack, so I have got a method of how I pack it. Also test what you need / want to carry. I always have a drybag that lives in my backpack with a spare base layer top, first aid kit, sudocrem, etc. It's the stuff I hope not to have to use, but know it's their if I need it. If I end up have to stop somewhere and wait for someone to pick me up having a something warm and dry to put on quickly can really make a big difference. The other thing I would suggest if you haven't done it before it practicing with your crewing. Know what it is you want them to bring, do you want them to be kind or tough on you? And my first point goes for your crew also, think about do you need more than one person? Will they have had enough sleep to be safe to drive? They might be your rescue in times of trouble, you want them fresh and clear headed also. Oh, and a "shit kit"... toilet roll / wet wipes in a zip-lock bag, just in case you need to dive behind a bush for a minute
paulcook 14 Jan 2:17pm, 14 Jan 2024 4,094 posts	0 paulcook I’d also possibly suggest packing a toothbrush even if with crew, especially if you’re eating gels and / or sugary food all day.
NDWDave 14 Jan 4:22pm, 14 Jan 2024 19,076 posts	0 NDWDave Walk like you mean it. Walking at 4mph versus 3mph makes a big difference I use the injinji liners plus a hilly knee high sock over the top and works really well unless it gets really really hot
Derby Tup 14 Jan 4:58pm, 14 Jan 2024 63,704 posts	0 Derby Tup Some more great tips. Re NDWDave post above the 2mph 'death march' is a killer. Practise walking briskly. Coincidentally that's where I've been this week
flanker 14 Jan 6:54pm, 14 Jan 2024 21,108 posts	0 flanker Few variations on the many good points above. Rather than learning to fix your feet, work out a sock/shoe combination that doesn't cause the problems in the first place. With the right foot care, socks and shoes you can just avoid it. On a similar vein, make sure your clothes and pack are comfortable and don't rub. Chafing can make any activity a misery, especially if it is down there. Again, can be completely avoided with the right gear. And get plenty of purposeful walking in. Unless you are planning on being at the pointy end you'll be walking a fair bit, so making it productive is time well spent. (And as someone who runs rather than walks, you'll probably get more obvious gains training the walking than the running).
Derby Tup 14 Jan 7:03pm, 14 Jan 2024 63,708 posts	0 Derby Tup Basically train your weaknesses not your strength, whether it's uphill, downhill or maybe rough ground
flanker 14 Jan 7:17pm, 14 Jan 2024 21,109 posts	0 flanker Spot on