The Adventure of a Lifetime - Mount Fuji 100 Miles (Ultra Running Documentary)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 พ.ค. 2024
- Running Mount Fuji 100 Miles Ultra Marathon was a once in a lifetime adventure. It was a dream come true to trail run the most iconic ultra marathon in Japan - the 2024 Mt Fuji 100 - previously known as Ultra Trail Mount Fuji UTMF.
It was the 10th edition of what is now a classic race, attracting some of the best runners in the world, including Courtney Dauwalter. It's also part of the World Trail Majors of ultra running, just like Black Canyon 100k which I raced earlier this year. Despite being both epic races, those two long distance ultra marathon couldn't be any more different. At Mount Fuji 100, you have 45 hours to cover 100 miles of mountains in the surroundings of Mt Fuji.
The course alternates between runnable sections, including some roads, but also narrow technical single track. With an impressive 24,000 ft of gain, this is a challenging race. And the number is misleading - the course has extremely steep segments that are a slog fest on the way up, and a neck breaking slippery mess on the way down. It actually reminded me of HURT100 sometimes.
But the uniqueness is definitely the gorgeous views you get, and in particular, having Mount Fuji in the background at all time of the day and night. Amazingly, because of clouds, I didn't get to see Fujisan in the days before the race. The first time I finally had a clear view was minutes before the start - seeing the clear contrast of the mountain in the moonshine. We were later greeted and treated to one of the most amazing sunrise for me - as soon as I reached the summit of the biggest climbs, the sun peaked from being Fuji! That was very special.
Anyhow - I won't spoil too much, but what a race! I feel so grateful I was able to race this one. It was a bit of a last minute thing (confirmed ~14 days before the race) but turned out everything ran smoothly. From flight to train to hotel and race. This adventure is also much more accessible and affordable than I would have imagined! Small price to pay for an adventure and memory I will forever remember.
Thank you to all the volunteers (literally thousands of them cheering and supporting - many with costumes and some with dogs...wow you guys understand exactly what I need to smile!), and the organizer. Seriously, for a race this size, it's hard to believe how smooth everything was. Drop bag on point, aid station well staffed and stuffed. 10/10 recommend this one!
Next race - Cocodona 250 miles ... 1 week after Fuji (May 6th start - you can follow live the stream on aravaipa website)
As always - Thanks for watching and remember -
Work Hard!
Believe in yourself!
Push your limits!
Simon
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Curious about trail running gear? I've created a list with all the gear I personally use when racing. You can have a look here, or below are the individual links. Those are all product I use and recommend.
www.amazon.com/shop/ultramara...
My gear list (and suggestions) and where to find them
- Filming - Go Pro: amzn.to/3VGsv9t
- Filming - Insta 360 x3: www.insta360.com/sal/x3?...
- Filming - Insta 360 x4: www.insta360.com/sal/x4?...
- Clothes - Running Vest - amzn.to/3J6ugVL
- Clothes - Sun Hat: amzn.to/3VFj5es
- Clothes - Running Shirt: amzn.to/3PEoIp9
- Clothes - Arm Sleeves: amzn.to/4cP53gu
- Clothes - Liner Socks: amzn.to/4aD56tY
- Clothes - Smart Wool Socks: amzn.to/3TDCJEP
- Poles - Black Diamond Alu: amzn.to/49yIcD7
- Light - Headlamp:amzn.to/3TDRgAv
- Light - Safety Light: amzn.to/4ag2xhk
- Sport Watch: Garmin Fenix 6X: amzn.to/3VHTl16
- Sport Watch: Garmin Fenix 7: amzn.to/3Txuxpy
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Music:
• By Infraction : Detonate, Tokyo Streets, All Into Move, Phonk Phonk
• By Mokka Music: Leaving Home
• By Ikson: New Day
• Megaman X: Cast Roll, Password
• Super Metroid: Norfair (Ridley's Lair), Mother Brain
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Glad I was able to release this before cocodona next week. It was a lot of work to put this so quickly but was eager to share this wild adventure with you all! ...Maybe not smart to run this 1 week before cocodona...we'll see.
You got this. It's getting warm here in AZ. Best of luck
Great content! Will you do a video on how you'll recover and prepare for Cocodona? Amazing how you do this.
@@briansleepylee I'll do one about this from after Zion 100. I don't have much from this week - it's been absolutely crazy and hectic with work! I haven't even started thinking what I'll bring for cocodona. So I didn't film my recovery. But I'll make a VLOG probably published around May 13/14 about all that happened between Fuji and Cocodona.
@@pebcakMAAZ ah yes it's going to be something for sure, especially the first 2 days!! Thanks :)
You got this 🤘
I love how they put the banner back up for each runner at the end
It was really nice - and it confused the heck out of me lol. I'll know for next time!
Hi,Simon. How have you been since then? This is Yasu. I saw your TH-cam finally, and I'm very glad you commented to me.
I also could finished within 39 hours, this was my first time challenge of 100mile.
I hope to see you again at a race somewhere, Thank you!
Thank you and congratulations! Thanks for chatting with me- that was really nice :)
“My poor balls” ⚽️⚽️ 😂 Amazing work and way to always pull through the hard times Simon.
It was BAD...!
Great job! I think I finished about an hour behind you. I am a big fan of your channel, and wish I could see you while we were running. Good luck on Cocodona!
Congratulations!!! We were very close!
I love your videos! They are my new post-run routine as I do strength and mobility. I've learned so much from them. I admire your courage. Thank you Simon.🙏
Thanks for the kind words!
What a crazy and epic journey and experience! Amazing!!!
Thanks Chad :)
Saw you registered for UTE!!! Awesome !
@@runningwithsimon Yah! Thank you! I saw that you liked my Instagram post while you were out running Cocodona 250! 😆
Sur ma bucket list !!
Super!
Best way to wake up to a saturday morning before a good run! LETS GO SIMON GOOD LUCK AT COCODONA 250 MAN !!!!!!
:)
Thanks for sharing your experience
My pleasure. Wonderful experience out there so I really wanted others to experience it
The music score was fantastic too.. I meant to say many episodes ago... You nail the music but that steep penultimate section music.. INSPIRED 🎉
Totally. I was glad because I kept finding exactly the right song for those segment!
Thanks for sharing this adventure with us. You make me want things like this in my life. I'LL WORK SO HARD TOWARDS THESE GOALS.
Good luck!
Congratulations 🎉 well done !
Thank you!!
Thanks for another wonderful video. Good luck at Cocodona, I know you can get it done. You are AMAZING!!!
Thank you! Heading for race briefing. It’s getting VERY real now…!
Dude! Okay officially got me pumped! That wall of buckles is amazing!! I am going for it! Thank you!!
Thanks :)
Well done Simon I must say it was one of the harder ones as most of your really technical climbs are after the halfway point. But you pushed through and finished, and that is the most important point.
Yeah it got really technical with the climbs and descent. The descent were particularly harsh on tired legs and with fresh rain making it muddy. But it's hard to show it.
Absolutely epic, congratulations!! The climbs were brutal, but any route with fixed ropes is awesome to me! Seeing the human carnage along the trail really highlighted how tough it was. I'd absolutely love to do that race, it's just finances that hold me back at the moment. Wishing you speedy ball healing, and an incredible Cocodona!
Thanks! I think I’m all set for Cocodona. Not 100% but recovery was fast.
Carnage was impressive - people sleeping and feeling bad left and right. Happened to me more than once but of course it’s hard to film myself doing that.
Well done friend! Line up now for cocodona!!!!💪🏻💪🏻 great video!!🤙🏻
Yeah that was dumb … but glad I did both!
@@runningwithsimonno you did great!! Very strong! Good runner🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♂️
This looks absolutely epic 😎 well done and definitely one to add to the bucket list 🎉 love how much you miss Nora.
Thanks! I think the language barrier made me feel more alone, which emphasized how much she was not there on this one. Plus, I knew it'd be the kind of trip she'd have loved. But she got stuck with work (just like she's stuck on a business trip while I race Cocodona - bad timing...)
What an amazing race... Just amazing
I really enjoyed the video. My limit is a 30km race, so 100 miles is an incredible distance.
30k is a lot too !
oh my gosh!! seriously I don't know how you did with all the sleep deprivation and chafing.. I would be crying.. you kept moving still.. I am amazed.. Huge Congratulations for finishing this epic race... missed Nora on this one, hopefully she will be for Cocodona.. Good luck :)
I slept so well on the bus and then plane. I was flying the same evening- not great to be cramped in economy after a race. But I also simply passed out.
Great to see how your sub growth recently and love the buckle display you've had in the last couple videos. Most won't even recognize the eagles! haha
Thanks! The growth is nice to see of course - it's nice to know the videos are appreciated and serving their purpose of inspiring and guiding people in trail runner.
And the grand slam eagles are certainly my favorite hardware! Glad someone recognize them!
Awesome content! so great to see the race from "your average joe" prospective but your not so average as you are a beast for being able to complete these kind of events =)... Keep up the good work and looking forward to seeing your next adventure.
Thanks :)
Yeah average but not average. I struggle how to say it. It’s not false modesty - I know it’s an accomplishment. At the same time, it’s very very average performance for someone doing it. And when you compare my 36hrs to elite time of Courtney at 19:30 - it puts things in perspective.
@@runningwithsimon you're average among the elites =).. I've been binge watching you Ultras.. love it ..Thank you so much for the content as its very inspirational for aspiring trail runner.
Congratulations 🥳 , hope I will be able to do this race next year.
Good luck - it’s def a prime time top quality one!
Oh wow oh wow oh wow 🎉
Interesting video !
God bless you and your family.
Thank you sir!
Love the metroid soundtrack at the beginning
And while I was putting it - I was reminded of how much things from Japan has actually shaped my childhood. I was thinking of Zelda Ocarina of Time too...
Thank you for sharing. Amazing!!
Thanks - it was fun sharing this adventure!
Wow, Simon! Good job! That looked both magical *and* brutal! Good luck at Cocodona. You got this! 😎
Thanks ! Yup it was a little bit A) and little bit B).
I suspect Cocodona will be the same!
Good stuff! I love it
Thanks :)
Super épisode Simon. Les japonais porte beaucoup de tapping et de bas de compression 😮
Oui vraiment - j'ai aussi remarquer!
Amazing job!! Always love watching your videos. 🎉 also those climbs looked more like rock climbing! Crazy!
It really was! The spot where I was filming uphill and told him to go higher - that was basically easy climbing. Like a class 3 scramble. But also particularly tricky because of the rain - it was slick from mud from previous runners. It's funny how 'lame' it looks on camera, but it was something to do after 2 days of running!
Incredible - the race itself looks tough enough - then to factor in jet lag, all the other big races in your legs from the last few months and actually having the wherewithal to film as you go(this blows my mind) and then have the attention and skills to edit the movie so soon. Simon, you are a ledge 🏴👍😸🦄
Thanks haha. I’m glad someone notice that it’s way harder than it sounds to remember to film and say something at least semi-interesting!!!
My saving grace for Fuji was the 45hr cutoff. It never even crossed my mind that I could time off, so even early I felt OK just taking a seat to regroup. A race like Leadville where you always chase cutoff wouldn’t have been possible.
I hope Cocodona will be the same. And I think so.
Amazing Insides of that run. I am enjoying your videos. Great achievement - your are an inspiration
Thanks so much!
Good job on the finish, and I hope you recovered from the chaffing before Cocodona!
I hope so too! Feels fine but not sure if the skin is more sensitive. But I feel strong.
welcome Mt.FUJI100🏔️nicerun!🔥🔥🔥
Thanks congrats to you too! I'll have to look at your video - seems you've done the race a few times!
hey man I met you at Crown King and mentioned my hiking youtube channel -- this is Kevin -- was waiting to comment until you were done Cocodona but just saw you in the chat
Hey Kevin!! I’ll check it out!
I was popping in chat while on course - because why not!?!
But done now since 3am. I’ll drop by the live stream for interview 11:30
@@runningwithsimon sweet great job! I was in bed so didn't see you finish, but I have the live stream on at home so will watch your interview and comment
you are amazing!
Thanks :)
Very well done Simon! Not an easy one especially due to jet lag and having to work ahead of the race, but you made it! Glad that you were able to showcase an Asian race, great region to live in! Good luck for Cocodona 250, I am sure you will get this! 💪👍👊
Thanks! I was very glad to experience the running community in Japan. Very unique experience for me and was really glad to share with people :)
Cocodona is soooo soon now. It’s getting real! Less than 12 hrs
Fab vlog... Thankyou so so much for sharing these adventures x I hope you get to go back with your Norah one day 🎉
I really hope so too, and taking more my time.
Welcome to Japan. And then in Korea next time, hope so
Do you know any good race there? I’m not as familiar unfortunately
@runningwithsimon Emm, I will send you the trail map in Korea. There are many small mountain in Korea. So especially upheal trails in Jeju island
you did it, mon beau! next time, we will go together :)
Yeees. It wasn’t the same without you !
Get a roooom!!! 😂😂 Just kidding, you guys are amazing together.
@@Kelly_Ben nah - car sleeping it is for tonight!
Hahahah
Epic! Really glad you finished! How did you managed the water. Seems to me aid station were really far. Did you find your usuals goto food? Bravo again.
They were far apart! And especially the first few ones, which are also the day. I’m blanking right now as if I had a belt with 2 bottle or an extra bottle with my vest. So it was either 1.5L or 2L. Which was barely enough for 1 of those…
What a run! What a course! What an effort!!! Congratulations on putting this one away. Question, were poles not allowed? I noticed that no one was using them. Anywho, Great luck at CoCodona😎
Thanks. No poles were not allowed. Not sure why - it’s really a course where they would be practical. Maybe it’s to protect the trail. Maybe it’s because it gets very crowded. Either way, that makes it harder especially when it was muddy
@@runningwithsimon Thank you for answering🥲Once again, Great Luck at CoCo250
I'd be really interested in you doing a video on you optimizing your sodium intake through measuring your sweat loss, etc. I see some top runners doing this with all kinds of new technology and wonder if it'll help you and then help us in the process!
If you know anyone with that knowledge and those tools - I'd love to try it! Personally, I just wing it unfortunately.
Here's an example one to get you started and there are plenty of other reviews out there and/or I've heard there are places dedicated to that but I dont know any and personally doubt many people would do that unless elite runner.
th-cam.com/video/X2ba8EWgP1c/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Jt42b5su5NVfHYW5
@@runningwithsimonalso, besides that hitting the other nutrients properly are important as well and this lady seems very knowledgeable and explains it well - hopefully this helps as well.
th-cam.com/video/B8Gx6k51uV0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=SB3k4HlMzyaDn9FY
What an amazing adventure. Congratulations on a solid finish.
Hey video idea… top 5 buckles. Another video, top 5 races.
Good idea thanks.
For the top 5 races, I kinda go through that in the second half of the one
The Best 100 Miles Races & How to Find Your Next Race
th-cam.com/video/Jxza8sygT0A/w-d-xo.html
That was wonderful.. you showed some grit, hats off!!!
thank you so much, now i'm sure i want to run it next year in combination with visiting my good friend Junna from Japan. He walked up mount fuji in 2023 and knows the area quite well. I hope to be there for at least a month with the run somewhere in the middle. Enjoy cocodona, sure you can do it, sleep well!
How is the climb up there? Is it technical mountaineering?
@@runningwithsimon
He went in a little group with a guide, there was no specific climbing gear needed so you can basically walk it. He did say it's not for people with fear of heights though..
Would you say the fuji100 was technically your most challenging race? It did seem the last 40K is brutal right? Those downhills after more than 100K looked .. impressive ..
@@runningwithsimon
Ps runner 'Harry Runs' has a youtube channel, he ran up mt fuji 7years ago, he has a video called "mount fuji; a run to the summit". It's runable all the way.
@@splijterno it wasn’t the most technical. There are segments that are very technical but it’s not always, which helped a lot. Ouray was as bad but was more often bad.
Hi Simon,I am Gavin from China,I contact with you finally at here! I am very happy some cameras in your video.I hope you could come to Chine for race next time.
Thank you! It was great running and chatting with you :) I hope you are recovering well!
Simon
@@runningwithsimon Yes, I am well now, I will attend to another race this weekend in China for 35 K.
What a run! This reminds me of the trails at home😮
Where's home? I thought you were in Norway?
@@runningwithsimon Yeah! Norway is correct! We have a bunch of dirt rocks and roots on our trails too!🙃
@@pexcii think a lot about the fjords in the west but it’s true it’s totally different in the other places I’ve been.
@@runningwithsimon Right! I am further east 😀
Epic adventure. Good luck at Cocodona!
Thanks! I'm getting nervous about now. Good sign I suppose..!
Good stuff, well done! Come to Hong Kong some day (not too far in the future hopefully) 👍
HK100?
@@runningwithsimon Yes, HK100 and also Victoria162, Translantau to consider
@@trailnesdaythanks! I’ll look it up
OMG, I don't believe you did this one week before Cocodona! Is Nora going to crew you?
No sadly I will do it solo. She was going to crew, but last minute she got a business trip she can't skip - Monday through Thursday! I'll probably be almost done by the time she is back. It's unfortunate, but I take it as an extra challenge. I'm mostly concerned about my gear, dropbag, and charging my things like headlamp and camera.
And yes, kind of crazy to race fuji 1 week before. I just got an opportunity last minute to race it, and quite frankly, I couldn't say no to such epic race. My hope is that because cocodona is more hiking than running, maybe it won't be so bad that I'm race so close to Fuji.
...but we'll see! Luckily aravaipa and the live stream will capture all of my pain :/
Hey Simon, as I'm watching the video I ask myself how you did the fueling with this long time between the Aid- Stations.
Thanks for the Video and "light Legs" for the next big one!!
Greetings from Bavaria, Germany :)
P.S. finished my first 65k because of your great content! Thank you so much!
I was eating as much as I could while at aid station. That meant sitting down and taking extra time, but worth it. Then on trails was mostly bananas and when available also energy gels
If I were younger and if I had at least one 100m under my belt.. It would absolutely be the one race I would covet but I am very aware that for me 50 miles is sufficient.... If I were 40 not 60 years.. 100 % I would do my upmost to do M. F x
They do have the kai70 which is I think 45ish mile.
@@runningwithsimon oh that's worth knowing, thankyou x
You could easily make a wrong turn and get lost. What if is there an emergency and you are in the middle of nowhere nobody around?
Amazing you are in very good shape.
It turned out course marking was VERY good. And because there's so many runners, I was (almost) never truly alone. For wrong turns, I had the course on my watch so that wasn't too bad. I think the real fear I had was to trip or slide on mud - and fall down a cliff. It's hard to show it on camera, but some segments it would have been very easy to fall, and you would fall for a very very long time. That's especially true when you're in your second night of running - tired and weak legs. I hope nobody got hurt, but that's something that actually happened at HURT 100 earlier this year. I didn't see it but I heard of at least 1 runner tripping and falling off a cliff. Breaking their leg in the process. Very scary!
th-cam.com/video/g_n-QXWsONc/w-d-xo.html
Why weren’t poles allowed?
Not sure - it might be because there are so many runners. I've been poked by poles more time than I can count in larger race like Leadville... Especially at the start, it's so crowded. And Fuji is probably 4-5x larger.
It might also be to protect the trails in some areas. Or it might be old school thinking stating that "poles are cheating". I'm sure they have their reason, and it's not the only race I've done which bans them - but it's an odd choice for a race that has so many steep climbs and descent. It used to be a Hardrock qualifier too!
3 milles après la course ? mon dieu, ils n'ont pas Uber au Japon ?
Pas de Uber. J’aurais pu prendre une navette/autobus mais je n’ai jamais été capable d’acheter les billets (c’était en ligne et compliqué). Et la navette était tout les 1-2 hr donc c’était plus vite de marcher. …du moins c’est ce que je me suis dit AVANT la course. J’aurais aussi probablement pu convaincre une équipe de me donner un lift mais j’étais puant et salé alors un peu timide…
@@runningwithsimon Je parie que l'aventure en valait la peine. Merci encore pour le video
why no one use poles?
Not allowed. Not sure why but it’s in the rules. Not the only race with such rules - it’s probably because it’s crowded. But poles would be amazing here
Never seen you suffer so much Simon you looked in a bad way
The pain from chafing was really bad… because other pain Id slow down or something - you don’t want to push through this level of pain if it could be a knee or ankle injury. But now I knew it was but a flesh wound.