On Saturday the 18th of November 2023, I ran in The Great Southern Endurance Run- 83km through the Victorian High Country, with 5100m of elevation gain. It was my 10th Ultra Marathon. To say the least- it was tough. Brutal but beautiful.
I love running ultra marathons because I get to challenge my body and see what it's capable of. I also get to spend quality time in nature, admiring the beauty and serenity around me which is not always possible on a day to day basis.
I took up long distance running in my 30’s. To be honest I didn’t know anything about running before that. But a solid 8 years of long distance running have taught me many things.
Here are my top 10 take aways from running 10 ultra marathons-
You will surprise yourself. Your body can do amazing things. Just give yourself a little push from time to time.
You need to believe you “can” before you’ve even started, whether that’s running 5km, 100km or climbing Mount Everest. Sure, physical training is important. But that will only get you 10% of the way. It’s that simple.
Preparation is key. Consider different circumstances and have a mental game plan for each scenario. Actioning a prepared plan is much easier than making it up on the spot.
We can never anticipate everything (which kinda sucks because I love a good plan). But we all know that’s life, right? Sometimes it hits the fan. And that’s OK. First accept it. Then draw on your mental preparation to take another course of action when necessary. Adapt. Keep moving.
Accept that there will be dark and difficult patches. But know that they won’t last forever. They won’t ruin the marathon. Similarly, difficult times won’t ruin your life. Sure, dark/difficult patches are hard to navigate, but there’s joy on the other side. “This too shall pass”.
Does this even need an explanation? Drinking plenty of water will stop some health problems before they even start. Whether you’re a runner or not.
The connection between working hard and achieving your goal is very evident when you train for a marathon. Understanding this connection helps you to pursue difficult goals in life and to keep working hard towards them. This equals SUCCESS.
The vibes of positive and encouraging people cheering you on in a marathon gives you the biggest boost possible, arguably more than sugar. Having positive people around you in your life will give you the energy to drive forwards and upwards. The power of positivity is real. Forget the haters.
If you don’t, then who will?? Your journey is yours and yours alone, it’s OK to be proud of what you have accomplished. Applaud yourself when you hit milestones or achievements, big or small.
Your feet hold you up for hours on end when you run. They need to be strong and responsive to your terrain. And your feet get you everywhere you need to be in life. Don’t neglect them. Look after them and strengthen them- if they are not happy your whole body will pay.
I've always loved the fact that there are so many parallels between running and life. I think that's what keeps me in the sport- it makes me strong and resilient for everyday LIFE.
And if you want a body that will help you stay strong & resilient for running AND for life in general, PILATES is the go. This is how I've trained for years. Click here to join the online movement community with me!
