For seasoned runners and novices alike, cramps during a marathon are an unfortunate yet familiar experience. From the common stitches plaguing newcomers to full-body spasms encountered in endurance challenges, cramping remains an unwelcome companion throughout the running journey.
Tackling races under scorching conditions might seem like an uphill battle, but with strategic preparation and prudent tactics on race day, it’s a challenge within reach. While soaring temperatures inevitably slow down all runners, the key lies in savvy readiness to navigate these conditions.
As winter blankets the northern hemisphere, trail and ultrarunners face a familiar dilemma: the absence of suitable hilly landscapes for training. Across diverse geographical regions, these athletes encounter trails buried under snow, icy patches, or muddy terrain, severely limiting their training options. For those eyeing mountainous events, this lack of terrain access poses a significant hurdle. Thankfully, experienced runners have devised effective strategies to maintain their mountain running prowess.
Preparing for a 100-mile race isn't solely about physical training; it's a mental marathon as much as a physical one. It demands confronting weaknesses and mastering mental resilience as much as physical endurance, a lesson learned during my own Leadville 100 journey. Here, are the three mental exercises pivotal in readying oneself for the daunting distance.
Ultramarathon runners, even seasoned ones, often face unexpected stomach challenges during races. Pushing limits in extreme conditions can swiftly turn a promising race into a digestive disaster when the body rejects fuel.
Joshua Cheptegei, the 27-year-old Ugandan runner renowned for his dedication and upbeat attitude, is intensively preparing for a new test in his training camp situated in Kapchorwa, Uganda, approximately 33 kilometers west of the Kenya border. As he readies himself for his debut marathon in Valencia on December 3rd, Cheptegei confronts an unexpected hurdle amidst his rigorous routine: persistent mud.
In the realm of sprinting, Karsten Warholm has emerged as a trailblazer, rewriting the narrative of Norwegian athleticism. His journey is marked by unprecedented achievements, with one Olympic and two World titles in the 400m hurdles, coupled with holding the world record since 2021.
Athletes encounter a spectrum of challenges, from strained muscle fibers to compromised immune systems, as they navigate the rigors of intense training cycles and competitive races. The repercussions of insufficient recovery can be profound, significantly impacting an athlete's overall performance.
The art of endurance fueling, once an informal practice marked by pub stops and unconventional choices, has undergone a remarkable transformation into a finely tuned science. Back in the early 1900s, Tour de France champion Maurice Garin relied on pub cuisine, while Canadian marathoner Tom Longboat's 1908 Olympic experience involved an unfortunate champagne interlude at Mile 19. From alcohol and tea to bananas and cake, historical fueling methods exhibited a broad spectrum of approaches.
In the realm of trail running, we encounter a diverse spectrum that ranges from awe-inspiring achievements to the burgeoning community of enthusiasts venturing into the world of off-road running. At one extreme, we find the extraordinary Spanish athlete Kilian Jornet, who, in October, embarked on a breathtaking challenge: ascending to the summits of every peak higher than 3,000 meters in the Pyrenees. His remarkable feat saw him conquer all 177 peaks within a mere eight days, using a bicycle to traverse the distances between these majestic mountains.
