Top Tip For the Beast
CAPTAIN CYMRUOk, having been down this road a few times, here are a few tips that I want to share, that will make life a little easier! Please note that this is one of the toughest endurance challenges I have ever done, so when I say comfortable......
Also if you want to stay in touch feel free to contact me on Instagram @captaincymru - Always happy to answer your questions..
So here goes..
1) Get organised - Use the time before the event to stock take your kit. Remember this event takes place in November. It's dark, wet and cold. Is your jacket in good condition, trainers ok, do you have running lights and spare batteries? Once the challenge starts you don't want to be thinking of anything but getting out and dialling in those miles!
2) No such thing as the best trainers, just the best for you!
Trainers are completely personal to you and your running style. If you can, get 2 pairs and alternate them every day. Remember your joints are going to get a hammering, so do all you can to protect them!
3) Go off road - If you can run off road, even sometimes, do it! Remember there are no prizes for the fastest; this is simply survival! Off road running is so much easier on the body, it can make a huge difference, especially going into the last week. If you do need to run on the road, remember to alternate the side you are running on! Roads have a natural camber and if you run the same camber on long runs this can effect your joints.
4) Massage - If you can, get it as often as possible. Dealing with niggles early is important. If you can't, grab a foam roller and get onto you tube! There are some fantastic stretching and self massaging videos on there. Also yoga vids are great as recovery.
5) Every day is a number you need to hit!
That's it, no more and no less. Do not fall into the trap in the early days of running a little longer, "as you are out anyway"! These miles add up, the fatigue adds up and you have 189 miles to run in the last week alone. Pace it and use that time to stretch and prepare for the second half!
6) Break it down! Time management is crucial. In the first year of attempting this, in the final week I was busy in work and through lack of planning I ended up having to run 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 miles every evening I got home. It was brutal. After day 10, or earlier, consider breaking the runs into a morning and evening run. Even better, if you can get 3 or 4 miles away at lunch time, this really puts a dent into the evening run!
7) Nutrition - Like trainers, its personal! Just practice in the lead up to the event; what does and what doesn't work for you. Fuelling is everything in this challenge; miss a day and you are out! Big alcohol nights may have to wait, late nights put on hold, you will need to make sacrifices. But don't be scared of a treat or two! I am a huge believer in feel when training and if you are craving something then go for it! Your body is telling you to replace something; just keep it within reason!!!
8) Friends and Family - Get as many people involved as possible. This will help when you need that extra little push. Also ask friends to come out and run different miles with you. Especially some friends you haven't seen in a while, time spent catching up is miles in the bank! This really helps pass the time, plus if you are raising money for charity, you can get creative and fun too!
9) Visualise - Only 10 people in 5 years have completed this challenge. There will be dark times out there, so you need to visualise that final day. The start line with the other Beasts, that final mile, the finish line and what you are doing and why.
10) The Final day - Saturday 28th November - Put it in your diary! Invite your friends to take part in the November challenge and join you along the final day route. Most November Challenge athletes will join us with 8, 4, 2 or 1 mile to go. Remember the last day is all about finishing, so we run at an easy conversational pace, walking most of the hills and generally having a blast!
I hope this helps, but remember, you can contact me on Instagram @captaincymru and would be more than willing to help. Or if you want to hook up on 1 of the days for a run. Otherwise, I will see you there. Good luck, take your time and run safe!
