Walk Your Own Race: Lessons Learned From Walking A 50km Ultramarathon

“It’s not the mountain we conquer, it’s ourselves.” Edmund Hillary As I write this, I’ve started four ultra-marathons and finished three of them. I did the Race to the Stones 100km in a weekend (2016); Cotswold Way 50km (2017); Isle of Wight 50km (2018 — I dropped out at 22km); Chiltern Challenge 50km (2020). I’ve learned something new each time and my most recent event went absolutely perfectly. In this episode, I’ll share some of my thoughts, tips, and lessons learned. * Why would you want to do an ultra-marathon anyway? * Preparation and practical tips. Here’s my day hike kit list. * Event day * Walk/run/live your own race * Enjoy the journey, not just the destination * Sometimes, it’s OK to give up. The importance of self-care. * What’s your next challenge? * Books about walking Header photo by Fidel Fernando on Unsplash Why would you want to do an ultra-marathon anyway? If you’re goal-orientated, as I am, it’s a good way to challenge yourself. I also like to push my comfort zone regularly, otherwise, I end up enjoying comfort too much. In this pandemic year, I feel like I’ve been cooped up in the house for months, unable to stray too far, and I really needed to get out and do something different. Booking an event gives you a deadline. It gives you accountability, especially if you tell others that you’re doing it. Of course, things might change, events might get canceled, but if you don’t book them, they will never happen. I’ve learned to snatch adventure where I can this pandemic year and take advantage of any window of good weather, or good luck, to get out into nature. The organized events are a great way to see a different part of the country, they are very well supervised and the routes are well-marked so you are never in any danger of getting lost or getting hurt. There are medics at every stop and you can drop out anytime. This event (in 2020) was also COVID-secure with masks and sanitizers and social distancing to keep everyone safe. I have done events with Threshold Trail Series and Ultra Challenge, both have UK based events across most of the year and I would recommend both companies. Long-distance walking gives me insights that I don’t get with shorter walks. There’s time to really sink down into my physical self, to become aware of my body in nature, my mind moves into more of a meditative state. I am disconnected from the online world, from writing, from expectation. All I need to do is walk and at the end, I need to eat and sleep. I’m a 45-year-old writer and I’ve only really become aware of what my body can really do in the last few years. I took it for granted for so long, and I’ve valued my brain over my physical self. I like seeing what I can do, and feeling strong and physically capable. I do not take it for granted anymore and I’m grateful for my ability to explore this way. I want to make the most of it because clearly, there will come a time when I am not as physically able as I am now. Preparation and practical tips Most organized events will have all the guidance you need for preparation, for example, a training plan and a kit list so you’ll have the information well in advance. You can look at the route and see the terrain and where the hills are, although you don’t need to know the route as it will be well-marked so you just need to follow the markers.