Getting to the Start Line of an Ultra Endurance Cycling or Running event

There are many reasons why people don't get to the start line of an ultra even, many of which you can overcome.  If you don't get to the start line you will never know what you could have done. Here are a few tips which might help.

Pick an event that excites and inspires you

Doing an event 'for the sake of it' or because 'so-and-so' is doing it is going to be really hard because it requires a lot of motivation to put in the hours of training you will need and to go through the inevitable pain you will have to endure to keep going when you want to stop.

The motivation to do this event needs to resonate with you and make you feel excited and inspired. This means dialling in to what works and is meaningful to you and rejecting the expectations of others and what they think you ought to or should enjoy.

'The soul...doesn't care whether you did something successfully or failed at it, it just wants to know did you do it in your way?.' (David Whyte, The Poetry of Self-Compassion)

Have the right mindset

Having the right mindset for an ultra is important and this starts from the moment you sign up. So do research your event, check for qualification criteria and whether you have or can do them.

Then sign up with the full intention of doing everything you can to get to that start line and complete the event.

This doesn't mean that you can't have doubts, doubts are normal, but intention is really important. A good test to find out whether this is really something for you is to think about what you will need to sacrifice in order to do the event in a way that is acceptable for you. If you are not willing to make those sacrifices then perhaps this is not the event for you.

This might also mean discussing your plans with significant others in your life. They might have to make sacrifices too; if they are not on board then the chance of failure increases.

Start preparing in good time

Once your intension to complete is clear you will need to prepare; you will need to start in good time to be ready for an ultra, endurance fitness takes time. How long you will need depends on your current fitness base, but regardless of where you are, all else being equal you can get to the start line ready to complete your ultra given enough time and preparation.

Getting to the start line of an ultra requires a lot of training and planning. Being prepared is not just about being fit enough, but having the right gear, in some cases the right visas, the right support, the time off work and the right mental preparation. Starting early with all these things will mean that you can take your time finding the right gear for you, you can allow for logistical hold-ups so that the risk of obstacles preventing you from  getting to the start line is reduced.

Train sensibly

Training sensibly means giving yourself the time to build fitness in a way that doesn't risk injury or ill-health.

• Build slowly week on week
• Take rest/recovery days in each week
• Take rest/recovery weeks every third or fourth week
• Plan your training around what is sensible for you

Eat Sensibly

Ultra endurance sports require a lot of energy both in training and in the event; you need to make sure you are adequately fuelling your body with good healthy food.

• You can check out our article on fuelling endurance training throughout the seasons here
• Keep an eye on your weight to make sure you are not losing weight too quickly or gaining a lot
• Aim to make any weight loss in the off season, not when you are trying to make big fitness gains
• Make sure you are maintaining a healthy weight (that you are not under-weight) and that you have the energy you need to train

Following a balanced diet usually is the safest option that works best (so eat a variety of foods from all the major food groups (carbohydrate, fats and protein) and make sure you eat plenty of fruit and vegetables for your micro-nutrients.

Get help when you need it

Taking on your first ultra is a big under-taking, getting some help from a professional can increase your chances of success and provide you with ongoing support along the way.

Most coaches offer a variety of coaching options from off-the shelf plans to high end one to one coaching. We firmly believe that coaching at any level is for anyone who wants to achieve a sporting goals and wants some help to do that.

Not sure if you need help or what help you might need? why not book a free 20 minute consultation with no commitment to see how we can help you?