Marathons to Ultra-marathons: Is it time for the next level of long distance running?

May 2012 saw the completion of my sixth marathon in Prague. Over the last couple of years I have been entering races a little further afield to keep the excitement of running a marathon fresh: as amazing as the London Marathon is, after running it three times I feel there’s other amazing courses to be run all over the world but let’s start in Europe!

Entering a small marathon like Prague was just perfect. Only 9,000 runners and just over 4,000 of those were those running the relay race. The atmosphere was amazing with some awesome music not only at the start/finish point but also live music along the route* which really cranked up the whole vibe of the race. Apart from being colder than I would have liked, the course was picturesque, flat and pretty ideal for anyone hoping for a PB** and had I not had a knee injury that reared its ugly head at 28km I really think it would have been my fastest race to date. Sadly I was five minutes slower than my PB, achieved in Dublin back in 2010 which actually cast a cloud over race day for me but that’s another blog!

Anyway, I digress…

I am very lucky to have friends and family that always insist on coming along to support me during these events, whether I’m in the UK or not, and Prague was no different. My parents, and my sister, booked an apartment so they could cheer me on (and also enjoy a city break away I’m sure!) so come the morning of the marathon they stood with me at the start line, taking pics and making sure I was good to go: and when the race finally got underway they wished me luck, waved me off and I’m sure then went to find breakfast and coffee!

I always ask supporters who want to cheer me on to stand anywhere between 19miles and 23miles as, for me, these are always the toughest. I feel that I’m nearly there and yet, the miles always seem to go incredibly slowly! Sure enough though I managed to spot my folks about mile 20 (and when I say ‘spot’ I mean nearly get knocked over as my mum enthusiastically waves in front of me for fear I won’t hear her over the music playing in my ears!)

Race over, medal round neck, back aching and disappointment seeping throughout my entire body as I realise I had not achieved a PB I blindly follow all the other runners as we were herded in the same direction. I was searching the crowds for my friends and family but couldn’t see any familiar faces. I then realised I was in an area of Prague unfamiliar to me and I had no idea where I was! This was also the first time I didn’t put a kit bag in (usually containing a phone) so I had no way of contacting anyone to see where they were. Exhausted, aching and, I’ll be honest, a little panicked, I decided to follow signs displaying the word ‘START’. At least then I could get my bearings and navigate my way back to my apartment if nothing else!

Needless to say with so many spectators and runners it took me a while to reach that point from which I’d started a few hours before. However, suddenly I heard my name being called and turned to see my mum waving frantically. Where had my family been waiting? They were chilling out with lunch and beer in a restaurant!

Bearing in mind I had been considerably longer than expected I was a little alarmed at the lack of concern! Let’s keep in mind that it’s extremely strenuous on the body to do this sort of long distance runnning and anything could have gone wrong. But I’m guessing when you’ve done a few marathons those close to you maybe think it’s all taken in your stride.

It dawned on me that I need to up my game. I look back at the first couple of marathons I did and believe me, there was no sitting in pubs just waiting for me to rock up after the race! There was lots of standing at the finish waiting with open arms to make me feel a little bit like a winner (despite the fact that I was simply one of thousands to finish the race!). So what to do? Clearly number of marathons isn’t that impressive so that only really leaves increasing the distance***…

With that in mind, I’m thinking it’s time to see how my body copes with ultra marathon distances. From what I can gather ‘ultra marathons’ seem to be any distance longer than a marathon (and I’m guessing from 50km plus). But, as some of you may know, I’m an ‘all or nothing’ kind of person so I’m hoping to give a 50mile ultra marathon a go at the end of next year.

To my delight a friend sent me the weblink to a competition for free entry into an ultra marathon this autumn. Now, there’s no way I’d be ready for 50miles by this September, however, one of the races is 50km (31.25miles) running round five of the eight Royal Parks in London. Not only that but it finishes in Bushy Park, which is about 10mins from where I live! It couldn’t be more perfect.

Fingers crossed I’m awarded a place. Not only is it only another 8km further than a marathon (I’m sure it’ll feel a lot longer when I’m running it) but mentally that’s an achievable goal but, moreover, I’m hoping to win back my ‘winner’ status that I seem to have lost from running the same distance multiple times!

Needless to say I’ll keep you posted as to whether it works!

*even though I always need to listen to my own music when running these races, I still think it’s fantastic not only for the runners without headphones but also all the lovely supporters.

**personal best

***please don’t think I am not grateful for my family travelling all over Europe to support me. They are all amazing for their continued support for any crazy venture I undertake!