Have you ever wondered how participants prepare for a 24-hour race or cope with the challenge? Or maybe you're considering ultra racing yourself but are not sure where to start? Well read on. In this feature, Paula Bartimeus gets the inside story from the winners of the 2004 Self Transcendence 24-Hour Track Race.
Ken Fancett
From Kent
Age 55
Placement: 1st overall
Distance: 133 miles 801 yards / 214.775 km
When did you first start running?
I've been running for about 12 years. I actually come from a hiking background from where I progressed to non-competitive walking challenges. At some stage on these trail events I began to combine walking with running, until eventually I used to run most of the way. Then I got into road racing, my first road race being a marathon. So I guess I done things the opposite way round to most runners- starting with longer distances first and later participating in middle distance events.
How many 24-hour events have you participated in?
This was my second 24-hour race, having achieved 114 miles at Doncaster in 2001.
What other ultras have you done?
I have done about eight 100-mile events with the Long Distance Walkers Association. Although these types of challenges are non-competitive (prizes are not awarded), I was told I came 5th out of about 400 participants at the Exmoor 100 event earlier this year.
What inspired you to take up ultra running?
I was naturally drawn to long distance walking and found that it was something I was good at. As I started later in life, at about 40, I haven't got a big running history like other runners, but I'm an endurance type of person rather than a speed-orientated one, so ultra races are ideal for me. When I run ultras I don't have to worry too much about speed, I can concentrate on running at a comfortable pace.
What kind of training schedule do you follow before a race?
I don't follow a training schedule as such but I participate in lots of events; in fact I do a race most weekends. I generally run about three to four times a week but my mileage depends on what races I happen to be running in that particular week. So far this year (up until 25th October) I've completed 40 running challenge events.
What advice would you give to a novice in ultra running?
I would suggest that novices try walking a few long distance events first so they get a feel for them. As many runners I speak to are put off running ultras due to psychological barriers, by walking them first it can help overcome the initial block or fear.
Do you eat a particular type of diet when training and do you take any nutritional supplements?
I eat a simple diet and although I'm not strictly a vegetarian I only eat meat about once every two weeks. I prefer carbohydrate-type foods like pasta and potatoes, with plenty of vegetables. I don't take any nutritional supplements as I'm a firm believer that we can get everything that the body needs from food.
How did you sustain yourself nutritionally during the race?
I nibbled some cake every hour and made sure I got enough fluids including water, some kind of energy drink that was on the trackside drinks table (although I'm not sure what it was), tea and hot chocolate. I also ate the supper (vegetable crumble) and breakfast (porridge, egg and toast) that was served.
In this particular event, what was your highest point and did you have any low periods?
My highest point was winning the race, as this is the first event that I've officially won first place. After running continually for 22 hours I realised from the scoreboard that I was 11 miles ahead of the next runner so I relaxed and race walked for the remaining two hours.
I also had high points at the eight-hour mark when I saw I had completed 50 miles, at the 12-hour mark when I had completed 72 miles and at the 17-hour mark when I had run 100 miles. Generally, there were no low periods and I had no major problems.
How many pairs of running shoes did you wear during the race?
I brought along a spare pair of shoes just in case, as I was wearing in a brand new pair for maximum cushioning. But they were fine, so I didn't need to change.
How do you occupy your mind on a track for 24 hours?
I'm a bit of a daydreamer anyway, so much of the time I was enjoying myself in a world of my own. Saying that, after I'd run 50 miles I was frequently trying to calculate the finish distance, so there was quite a bit of mathematics going on in the brain.
How long did it take for your body to recover?
I had three days rest after the race and then went for a slow run on the fourth and fifth days. As we speak (almost three weeks after the event) I still haven't fully recovered but then that was my own fault. Last weekend I ran a marathon on the Saturday and a half marathon on the Sunday even though I knew I should have given myself more time to recover. But like many runners, I'm an addict.
Do you feel ultra running has changed you as a person?
I don't know if running has changed me but it's a very important part of my life and one that I wouldn't want to be without.
Jill Green
From the Isle of Wight
Aged 63
Placement: 1st in the women's category, 6th overall
Distance: 105 miles-327 yards / 169.28 km
When did you first start running?
I'm not actually a runner; I'm a race walker. Although I came from a family of walkers, it wasn't until 1977 that I started to take walking seriously. I joined the Long Distance Walkers Association and found that I was actually rather good at covering long distances. Then in 1991 I was chosen to represent Great Britain in a 28-hour race walking challenge in Roubaix, France. That was my first official competition and I came third in my category.
How many 24-hour events have you participated in?
I only record 24-hour events that I make 100 miles or more in. So far, I've completed 55 events in excess of this mileage, including the Paris to Colmar (200+ miles) three times. I've also become a Centurion (someone who has walked in competition 100 miles within 24 hours) in six different countries: England, Holland, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.
What inspired you to participate in ultra events?
At first it was because long distance walking was something I was good at and which I enjoyed. As I became more experienced I set myself a goal of becoming a Centurion in the six countries that hold Centurion race walking events. I have now achieved this challenge.
What kind of training schedule do you follow before a race?
I don't have a set weekly routine but I walk about 3,000 miles a year. At 63 I'm careful not to over-train, but at the same time I put in enough hours to remain fit and strong. I live in the Isle of Wight and there's nothing more beautiful that seeing the sun rise over the sea when I'm out on one of my early morning sessions. I also make sure I stretch before and after training; I've been very fortunate to remain virtually injury-free.
What advice would you give to a novice in race walking?
Train regularly and build up distance gradually. Also, get advice on technique from experienced race walkers and join a local race walking club.
Do you eat a particular type of diet when training and do you take any nutritional supplements?
I've been vegetarian for about 30 years and this diet suits me perfectly. As for supplements, I take spirulina because it's a natural product and contains an all-round, balanced nutritional content.
How did you sustain yourself nutritionally during the race?
The food was wonderful and because it was all vegetarian I knew I could eat whatever was available: sandwiches, fruit and some delicious soup, plus the veggie sausages at breakfast.
In this particular event, what was your highest point and did you have any low periods?
Earlier in the year I missed out on achieving a 100-mile goal in 24 hours by just half a mile, so covering 105 miles this time round was a real confidence-booster. And coming first in the women's category was the icing on the cake- especially as it was my birthday on the second half of the event. In fact, I enjoyed the race so much that there were no low points for me.
How many pairs of shoes did you wear during the race?
Only the one pair. When the race had finished and I went to take a shower I noticed that I had a large, painful blister on my left foot. Oddly enough, I had no pain while walking, which was fortunate.
How do you occupy your mind on a track for 24 hours?
Although it may look mundane, it's anything but boring. First of all I have to concentrate on timing and keeping my speed just right so that I can remain on target for my planned mileage. Eating and drinking regularly is also a preoccupation- and one which at this event was most enjoyable because the food was so good.
The camaraderie on these types of events is fantastic and I often get chatting to a number of participants. Then there are times when I go into a trance-like state and walking becomes a meditation. Having my Walkman also helps.
How long did it take for your body to recover?
The race finished at 12 noon on Sunday and I went straight home and got an early night. By Tuesday I was already taking part in a challenge called the Viking Way, which is Lincolnshire's long distance footpath (147 miles) from Barton-on-Humber to Oakham. I know it sounds as if I'm a glutton for punishment but the event was spread over a course of a week and the countryside was beautiful. I have to admit though; I did feel a little tired.
Do you feel ultra walking has changed you as a person?
I generally feel that participating in a sport of any kind is a great stress-reducer and life-enhancer. As for race walking, it has provided me with endless opportunities to be out in the elements and in the part of the world I come from- the Isle of Wight- nature is sometimes breathtaking. I'm sure this has enriched my life no end.
