Thanks so much for sharing your experience. This past weekend I had a technical trail race, 21km. I had a week prior filled with aches, pains, stomach issues and a cold. I went to the event just going with the flow. Knowing I had spots I could stop. I was with a bestie, and normally we would have a great time and laughs and pics. But I wasn't able to keep up with her so we went our own ways. I chatted with lots of people. Still had a great time. Finished the race and even got a PR, 20 min improvment from last year. Another friend Reminded me "its amazing what our body is capable of".
Wow, what a story, Cheryl! Incredibly strong - kudos to you! Most people would have probably never made it to the start line under these conditions, but you are completely right, "its amazing what our body is capable of". When you are on the trail, chatting with people and having a great time is probably the best recipe for a successful race. This is a lot about mindset and accepting a situation for what it is and making the best out of it. And I think that you can take so much away for everyday life from the fact that you did something that you before thought would probably not possible. Thank you for sharing that experience!
I have my first Ultra (75km with +2600m) in 2 weeks and reading this has given me confort in knowing that other runners suffer the same mental challenges and issues that I have and that getting to the finish line is as much of a mental challenge as it is physical.
That is such a good point, Matt! We often run under the impression that it's currently easy for everyone except us. But the reality is that everyone is struggling in their own way and trying to convince their mind and body to keep going. If my post made this visible, I'm very happy about that. Good luck for your race! And most importantly, enjoy it :)
Awesome job. Mindset is so important. I did a 30k trail run last year (my longest ever) and I am a slow runner. I was concerned about finishing in time. It just so happened that day the route had to be adjusted due to migrating toads and the detour added another 4K. This really upset me as I knew time would be impossible for me to meet(I had practiced plenty of times on the route). I ran angry for awhile and worked hard to tell myself to stop feeling sorry for myself (that’s where I agree a team would be nice) long story short I missed the last time cutoff but turned in my bib and finished the course.
I can only imagine how hard it must have been when you prepared so thoroughly and then they switched the course. Big kudos to you for doing your own thing and finishing the course! It shows such a strong mindset. Often, it turns out racing is not really about the race itself but about proving to yourself that you can do something where the day before you start, you really are not sure if you can do it. Time limits are artificial, but finishing your longest run ever under these conditions is real and such a big accomplishment!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. This past weekend I had a technical trail race, 21km. I had a week prior filled with aches, pains, stomach issues and a cold. I went to the event just going with the flow. Knowing I had spots I could stop. I was with a bestie, and normally we would have a great time and laughs and pics. But I wasn't able to keep up with her so we went our own ways. I chatted with lots of people. Still had a great time. Finished the race and even got a PR, 20 min improvment from last year. Another friend Reminded me "its amazing what our body is capable of".
Wow, what a story, Cheryl! Incredibly strong - kudos to you! Most people would have probably never made it to the start line under these conditions, but you are completely right, "its amazing what our body is capable of". When you are on the trail, chatting with people and having a great time is probably the best recipe for a successful race. This is a lot about mindset and accepting a situation for what it is and making the best out of it. And I think that you can take so much away for everyday life from the fact that you did something that you before thought would probably not possible. Thank you for sharing that experience!
Thanks for this Simon.
I have my first Ultra (75km with +2600m) in 2 weeks and reading this has given me confort in knowing that other runners suffer the same mental challenges and issues that I have and that getting to the finish line is as much of a mental challenge as it is physical.
Thanks
That is such a good point, Matt! We often run under the impression that it's currently easy for everyone except us. But the reality is that everyone is struggling in their own way and trying to convince their mind and body to keep going. If my post made this visible, I'm very happy about that. Good luck for your race! And most importantly, enjoy it :)
Awesome job. Mindset is so important. I did a 30k trail run last year (my longest ever) and I am a slow runner. I was concerned about finishing in time. It just so happened that day the route had to be adjusted due to migrating toads and the detour added another 4K. This really upset me as I knew time would be impossible for me to meet(I had practiced plenty of times on the route). I ran angry for awhile and worked hard to tell myself to stop feeling sorry for myself (that’s where I agree a team would be nice) long story short I missed the last time cutoff but turned in my bib and finished the course.
I can only imagine how hard it must have been when you prepared so thoroughly and then they switched the course. Big kudos to you for doing your own thing and finishing the course! It shows such a strong mindset. Often, it turns out racing is not really about the race itself but about proving to yourself that you can do something where the day before you start, you really are not sure if you can do it. Time limits are artificial, but finishing your longest run ever under these conditions is real and such a big accomplishment!
Hi Simon, love your stories! Is this story about the Terrex infinite trail in Bad Gastein by any chance? Grtz Daisy
It is :) Did you also run there?
😊yes, i ram the 30K. Quite a technical trail though, the Terrex! But fun, I must say my fear of hights has been challenged 😅