13 Tips on How to Train for an Ultra Marathon

1. Listen to your body.
   You will feel tired while preparing and training for an ultramarathon, that’s a given. Training helps you move forward, but recovery is essential.  As Profeet ambassador and team GB ultra-runner Robbie Britton says: “I firmly believe that you don’t over-train, you just under-rest.”

2. Be consistent
   Consistent training with steady progression wins the day. If you can train 4 or 5 times a week, gradually increasing your overall distance, your endurance will improve.  Don’t increase your mileage by more than 10% per week and take a recovery week every 4^th week, where you drop your volume back by 30%.

3. Fit training around your life, not your life around training
   Everyone is different. Not everyone has a 9-5 life that running can slot straight into. Run when it works for you, over the distances that work for you.

4. Go long, but not too long
   You don’t need to run mega long runs to complete an ultra marathon. Many of the best ultra runners never run more than 3 hours at a time in training.

5. Don’t be a slave to your training schedule
   If you miss a session, for whatever reason, don’t stress about it. Don’t try and catch up, just move on and enjoy the extra rest. If you miss a few sessions over a few days, don’t panic – you won’t lose your fitness immediately and even if you do, if you’ve had it, it comes back quickly.

6. Practice your nutrition
   Never leave it to the day of the race to try out gels, sports drinks or bars for the first time. Use your long run each week to test and find out what works for you best.

7. Eat proper food
   Test eating ‘proper’ meals, such as pasta or a sandwich and then run shortly afterwards. You’ll learn how your body reacts to running while digesting food. You may need to walk for a while after this type of meal, but for everyone but the top athletes, real food will be essential to see you to the finish.

8. Get the right shoes

At the risk of stating the obvious, an ultra marathon is a long way. To avoid the risk of blisters and keep your feet as comfortable as possible, it’s worth taking a trip to a specialist shop such as Profeet to ensure your shoes fit properly and your feet are protected from injury by custom insoles.

9. Wear your race kit during training
   Just as you don’t want to be trying gels or bars for the first time on race day, you don’t want to discover then that your shorts give you a rash. Choose all your kit and use it on your long runs. You’ll soon learn where you need to apply extra Vaseline.

10. Pack your backpack at least once in advance
    Go for at least one run with everything you are planning to take with you on race day in your backpack. It will be heavier and may change your balance.

11. Don’t cut corners
    Don’t be tempted to lighten the load by not taking essentials. Weather is notoriously unpredictable! You can have sunshine and hail and everything in between on the same day. Waterproofs, gloves, a warm hat and head torch are non-negotiable for most ultras.

11. Ultras are very sociable
    An ultra may be a race, but it’s a very friendly one! During the day you’ll find yourself chatting with all sorts of people at different points – you’re all in it together and you’ve all got at least one thing in common.

13. Enjoy the view
    Whether you’re on the Ridgeway Race to the Stones, the Alps (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc) or the South Downs Way (SDW100), ultra marathons often take you through some stunning scenery. Take the time to enjoy the views and the nature along the way.