Race to the Stones Blog 4: Ultra running Zero to Hero

April started well and was the first time I’d nailed all my runs. I’ve then had seven weeks of training, but with no step forward – this needs to change soon so I can really test my endurance.

I had a not so comforting word with ultra-running friend and Profeet Ambassador Gary Dalton, this week.

Time to get serious
Gary is a straight-talking man who grilled me on my prep and race schedule and led me to realise I thought it was a long way off and I didn’t need to think about it. He was not impressed.  I haven’t even got a marathon booked in let alone a 50k.

This left me with my first sense of trepidation. Time has flown by and I haven’t taken stock of what I’m letting myself in for.

I have now agreed to do a couple of long course runs with Richard (run manager at Profeet) for familiarity and Gary might join us too. I can’t wait.

Trying to eat more!
I have an uncanny ability to eat like a horse and never put on weight. Whether it is a fast metabolism or that I’m just quite active I don’t know.

My problem now is that I’m training around eight times a week and need to keep my calorie intake high. My wife has let me know that I am losing some shape and my bum has got even smaller. I am not someone who has a lot to lose but this is my battle.

I’ve been drinking protein shakes twice daily to keep me going.  When I missed a few days that I realised how beneficial it was – I’d been feeling fatigued more in my runs. I’d love to get all my nutrition from ‘real’ food, but I don’t have enough time to eat the amount I need!

Best of luck Dan!  You can read Dan’s previous blog post here.