When an Ultramarathon Goes Very Wrong
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2022
- Ultramarathons are a fickle beast. Some days you have a beaut. And some days are like this one...
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This is why I love your channel, you show the bad times as well as the good. Keep running, love your videos.
Thanks Andy! Trying to be as honest as possible. Maybe too honest 😂
thank you! i appreciate your candor. I just bonked hard on my last marathon (2-October) and my time was 5+ hours when i was expecting a sub 4 finish. it was a struggle but I'm happy i did it. your videos are always encouraging :)
I ran the 25km trail and met Mikey at the starting line. I’d never even run road more than 10.5km. Fell downhill, injured, legs gave out after 17km. But I finished in 5h43m. Damn near cried when I heard Mikey congratulate me at the end for finishing after such a grueling race. Top bloke!
Running my first ultra next year, and this was good insight for not only Ultra running, but running in general. A good reminder that even though you prepare for a race, no matter the distance, challenges can still arise. It's inspiring to see someone push through those challenges. Well earned finish.
I think that’s how ultras work for all of us Ben. Looking forward to it before, wishing for the end whilst doing it and then it was the best thing ever once you’ve finished!! Love it.
Ouch. I had a 'no' race in March, but it was only a 10k trail - knew within the first 200m it was going to be a shocker and hated every minute after that. Amazing work getting that done Ben!
It's always tough as you say. My first ultra was a 78km in Switzerland. Similar experience in my prep run of 50km ultra along the way except I was forced to DNF after 40km. Suffice to say I learned from the experience and was a stronger runner going into the 78km which I finished. Thanks for sharing the candid insights along the way of your journey. It motivated me to run this morning when I was going to skip the session!!
Love the honesty mate 👍 well done!
Thanks for showing the struggles. This helps put things into perspective, not all races are glorious but one we can learn from. Love your channel
this made me feel better about my challenging 10k after having a cold. thanks for all you do. cheers.
Ive been running for 2 half years but only discovered your channel about 4 months ago. Its hands down the best channel out there i love you guys thankyou
That was a really tough race, I must say when we saw you on the route twice, you were really looking good. Congratulations 🎊 on finishing and keep on pushing
I needed this video today, only just started running with couch to 5k. I’m on the end of week 6 and had a very hard session where I just had to walk through it. I used it as a learning experience - I need to be resting more and getting more sleep. Thank you so much for keeping it real here! Your channel has been a big inspiration to keep me going and it makes me feel better to see the harder side from a much more experienced runner.
Don't want to be here or there but you keep moving forward!! I know that feeling, been there done that!!!
I love your channel. I’ve run 3 ultras this year and none went exactly how I planned them. But I’ve learned to deal with it and as long as I take something from it, I no longer care! I’m older and slower than I want to be, but I love the challenge. And if it was easy, everyone would do it! And how you describe the feeling during, when it’s all going a bit wrong and then how you feel after you finish, that’s me every time!!
This an excellent thing to see. I'm planning on doing my first 50k next year and just plan on putting one foot in front of the other until I'm done.
Amazing race! Great time too consider the terrain and weather!
I had an ultra like that in the early spring.
85K and nothing worked from the very start.
Legs felt dead, body felt heavy and not able to find either speed nor energy.
And twisted my knee.
Even without the knee issue, my body needed two month (!) before I was feeling strong again.
Love that you keep it real... It helps those of us newer to running know what to expect and potentially deal with it better than we might if a tough day turns up unexpected!
Ran my fist half this weekend (1:50:43) and had the polar opposite of this - get in nearly 10 mins faster than planned, 5k splits were even until the last which was faster. Big grin on my face at 17km knowing that I'd got it.
Now planning a trail ultra for September '23 (34 miles) with a friend!
Awesome, Iain!! Well done 😊
Congrats on your finish! That's still an impressive time given the conditions!! You embodied what ultras are all about... pushing through mental and physical challenges and having an incredible experience. You're right, 50ks are accessible to most reasonably fit people. If you can race a half marathon, you can finish an easy 50k. And yes, there are definitely different levels... my 1st 50k was flat and all smooth packed gravel. My 2nd was very hilly, on grass trails. My 3rd was a soul crushing mountain race where 50% of us dropped down to 22 miles. 😆 I'm looking forward to seeing your training for and racing your upcoming ultra!!
Wow Ben that looked horrendous. Well done for completing👍
Great video Ben!
I appreciated it particularly as I did a 54k Ultra yesterday and had a quite similar experience where I smashed out the first 40k and then the wheels came off soon after that.
I think part of it is the learning process of hearing when your body is telling you that it won’t be able to sustain the effort throughout the full distance on a given day, and being able to adjust before it goes south. I’m still learning evidently 😅
We've all been there, mate! Great job just keeping on moving forward!
Thanks! Absolutely right. Keep moving the chains 🤟🏼😊
Ultras are so unpredictable. I remember doing a 100km and it was all going great til the heavens opened and carried on for what felt like most of the rest of the race! It changed the camber in places, obviously got cold, night time was precarious it was all going on and like you it became just about getting it done then and the next 1km and the next 1km until the end.
Love the attitude and good luck with the rest of your ultra training.
Yeah the game changed when it rained in this one too. So much grit in my trainers. Feet are still not recovered 🤢😂
@@ThisMessyHappy oh no! Can’t wait to see how Mary got on with her race too
Thats i love your channel. Thanks for sharing this because in all races we feel different and sometimes the legs wont be there.Regardless congratulations
Thanks Carlos. Much appreciated 😊
You got it done! Not all days are equal that is for sure.well done
Thanks so much, Kathy 😊
I like that you show the good and bad…I do the same on my channel, transparency and honesty helps other know what to expect and not feel bad about failing also. Congrats on crushing it.
Thanks dude. Absolutely right. Congruence 🤟🏼😊
Well done on getting through Ben it looked like a bit of a beast 😬 something about the ultra distances that make you want to go back for more 🤣 just signed up for a local 100 miler as it seemed like natural progression from 50 miles 🫣😂
Having never been a runner I picked up running to do the Scottish Half Marathon on Sunday past (with less than optimal training I might add haha) and the thoughts going through my head mile 10-13.1 were just keep going, it was so difficult. It's sobering to hear you have these thoughts too. You've been an inspiration on the run up to the run and now after catching the bug. Your channel expresses the complexity of your personality through health and fitness and its something I really resonate with. Take care and thanks for the info and motivation!
Thanks dude. That’s really awesome of you to say but also well done on your HM as well! And I’m so glad you have the bug. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of for life. Keep rocking it 🤟🏼😊
@@ThisMessyHappy thank you! 😊🙏
Thats motivating for my coming 60k race over the weekend
Oh my god Ben. You are human after all. I know how you felt,I had a really deep leg cramp on my 52 mile Ultra at mile 30. Just knew it was bad but kept power walking to the finish. As you say all part of the adventure that is running.😎😎
Golly some seriously dangerous ground all up in there!
Bad luck Ben, it sounds like it was a hard one. I ran a 109km Borneo about a month ago, it wasn't my first 100km but it was my first DNF, somehow nothing worked that day. I did get much sleep the night before because by bad luck my hotel room was right above a massive concert so not a go start. it started well but I then vomitted around km 20 and it didn't stop after really. my body would not do it and I couldn't really run I was so hard mentally. I got to 60km at the race village, the last shuttle bus to town was leaving and I took it. looking back, I think with a meal and time to dry my feet (lots of river crossing so wet the whole day) I would have been able to finish but I was not strong enough mentally that day, and so often it is all in the head.
0:21 so you're not getting any pity from us today, you signed up for the race so we're going to enjoy this 😀😃😄.
It’s not always pretty but you include everything - warts an’ all. Well done Ben! It takes a lot of mental strength to push through all the negatives. Impressive stuff 💪💪
I don't run but I train everyday and I understand the struggle. it's frustrating but sometimes we need this to grow.
Well done! Looked tough.
Thank you, Clara 😊
Well in still did really well and it was a hot old that day .
This is refreshing. Done a 30km trail race 1200m elevation. Training went well going into it. On the day after 2km I new it was going to be a long day. Heart rate all over the place. Ended up taking me an hour longer than I had hoped. Walking and sitting most of the second half. Cheers
That did look tough, can't be too hard on yourself - still smashed it. Dust off and onto the next one 👌🏻
I kind of appreciate these types of videos more than those of runners just breezing through ultras (or as it appears..)
I have only run one marathon and that totally unprepared and it was not easy, the 100K I have signed up for next summer will be painful..
Sat here in UK with a fleece on. 12 degrees with a cold wind and total cloud cover. I'd love 27 degrees again. 😂
Beautiful race but terrain looks really challenging. Be kind to your body and try and build in some taper and rest where needed. It's as much a part of the training as the running. 😊
I ran my first marathon on Sunday (the Twin Cities Marathon in Minnesota, USA). It was both awesome and awful and I am so glad I did it.
I relate to this video so well 😂
Yay Wednesday vid! I can't imagine running for that long. Are you taking a break from running for a bit in order to recover?
Good stuff
Thanks Matthias 😊
The EXACT same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. I had a 46 mile race that I was using as my last training run before a 100 miler. I don't know if it was my diet the days before the race, or just not taking it seriously, but it was terrible. All said and done the 100 miler ended up feeling easier lol
First of all, I congratulate you very much. I felt the difficulty of the track. More importantly, it was extremely hot and humid. I know and I can never stand the heat. The pulse goes up too high. It is our choice to be a part of what's in the ultra after all :) I wish you success in France at 100 k. Greetings.
Just moving the chains. Good metaphor.
Surely you started too quick. Well done for finishing ❤️✌️🏴
Ha STRAVA already told us :) crazy races.
Ha ha good old Strava 😂
Well, I would feel like superman if I could have a bad day like that. 😂. Well done.
Falling over during long distance running must put the body under a bit of shock and stress. I can only assume it kills any rythem and endurance for jogging. What comes to mind was I believe 2004 Olympic marathon where the race leader was pushed over by a member of the crowd who ran out to do it. The rest of his race was not the same and he could not catch the person who passed him even though he had previously a solid distance and pace between them. If I am remembering correctly. Will look it up.
I'm still so in awe. You did it ANYWAY, and the scenery is beautiful. Seriously, no matter how shitty it felt, you're still a winner. 💪😇💙
Thanks so much. Got it done and that’s what counted 😊
Kept expecting the predator to jump out and skin you in the first half. Some of the path is so narrow for running!
Ha ha more likely a cobra!! 😳
Well done, at least you had the balls to finish. And you didn't cry.
Not on camera anyway 😂😂
That's a bit too strange to be just the random ultra experience. Was the fueling alright before the race?
Whats your name on strava ?would be nice to follow you mate well done!
You did finish it. It should still count for something then.
When was the last time you were not able to finish a race?
First time I think I've seen you with the poles out. You seemed to be flying at the start.
Yep, only bought them last week and needed to test running with them and using them for UTMB in December 🤯😂
Hey, John, Ben, Mary and Mikey.
Another great result at KMK50 for the Bridge’s cohort.
Sorry, it wasn’t what you had hoped, likewise though! It’s a pity they didn’t include more of the steeper hills and less of the flat stuff, as there are some challenging hills to contend with as in climbing. Although, with my current fitness issues, with Achilles, plantar fasciitis and Covid 3 weeks ago, I’m glad they didn’t, 555! As expected, I suffered with Achilles and PF for the first 22km, but then had a better spell part way through the 2nd half of the race, although walking on the flats and suffering with cramps that kept accompanying me along the way, didn’t help my cause. Overall, I achieved some goals on the day considering everything. Focus on the next one, as I will. All the best, and no doubt I’ll see you all at UTMB later.
Hey Steven, good to see you again on Sunday. Glad you finished but sorry to hear about the injuries. We were all checking the results on Sunday afternoon and were glad to see you finished! On to the next and see you in December 😊
The suffering is where the growth is.
Amen to that! 🤟🏼🤟🏼
Ben well done ! Thank You for sharing the lows of running not just the high’s. Hope you don’t mind me saying but you do look physically tired . Maybe the body needs some rest?
Congratulations on finishing 10th place…. That’s awesome! That course looked brutal! 🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️👏👏👏
Thank you. It wasn’t actually too bad of a course. But the body just said no thank you 😂
I was there, the trail is not so brutal. Trail msc 100, rinjani. Then u feel it
OH! You said the next video of Mary would be next Wednesday, but at the end you changed it to Sunday, so we expect her video by Sunday! 🤣😉
No I said see you Sunday 😉 for my Sunday video. Mary’s vid is Wednesday ha ha
What do you think went wrong? I couldn't tell from the video. Looked brutal for you, well done for pushing through. 👍
Hi Ben. When you have a bad run like this do you try to analyze the reasons why? Or because you know you've prepared well, put it down to bad luck / angering the running gods in some way / just one of those things etc
Hey Ian, I guess I don’t try to overthink it but also I would imagine my experience and background knowledge helps process the reasons why without spending too much time on it. Also depends on the distance (as I just accept you can have a ridiculously bad day in ultra racing 😂). On this one I’d had a very stressful work week and no taper but that doesn’t always mean that’s the reason. It just is what it is and my legs got 50km out of the day 😂
@@ThisMessyHappy Cheers. Looking forward to a video on your training / preparation for the 100K in December.
That's an interesting part of ultras... even the world's best pros aren't guaranteed a finish, much less a win. The long hours, in sometimes tough weather, with tricky footing, big elevation changes..." failing" an ultra is no failure at all. I just DNFd a somewhat tough 50k, and I know all the areas I went wrong. Live and learn!
2:29 is that a giant snake in the tree behind your head?!
Do you have a go to mantra for the tough times Ben?
Hey Alan, they vary I guess. I have a few things I think about depending on the situations. I like the light hearted approach of telling myself I did this to myself. Always brings a smile to my face. Also when times feel hard I tell myself that it’s ok because I do hard things. I suppose one of the big ones from this last race was just saying to myself “no regrets” to ensure I finished because I knew I’d regret not finishing waaaaay more than making myself carry on 😊
@@ThisMessyHappy Nice one. I like the ' I did this to myself' angle. That appeals to my sense of humour as well. :)
I think maybe we should get Ben to sign up for the Western States 100 or Leadville 100 🙂.
Analysis of why you had a bad day?
Worst running day ever and you finish 10th! Not so bad really!
2:20 Remember in your videos a few years ago you were bitching about it being like 23C? Told ya you'd get used to it.
Dude I’m always bitching 😂
Yeah, but why did it happen? So that you and us can avoid it in the future. Maybe i missed it in the video.
I think with ultras the why is a little more fickle. You can have an amazing training lead up and the body not play ball on the day for whatever reason. I have my suspicions but to be honest I’m not one for making excuses (because I see them as that without concrete evidence) so I just chalk it up to a day that the distance kicked my ass and go again. Marathons and below are easier to find reason I think. Just my opinion though 😂
I'm thinking about running the 100th Comrades ultra marathon in 5 years (90km) how about you and Mary come join me here in South Africa in 2027?
Would love to!
It's a date!
Did you train too hard before this race? Sounds like you were tired in your body!?
Yeah there was no taper and I’d had a particularly hard work week. But it’s miles in the legs for the bigger race goal so it’s all good learning 😊
Don’t you run every other day?
Yes usually. Or currently I’m running 4 times per week so does involve a few back to back days for volume in the approach to the 100km 😊
@@ThisMessyHappy I loved the video. Been there. That pain is next level
I did my first half marathon a month ago but I ended up running 15 miles because it was both slightly longer than a half and I did a loop twice. I sent my girlfriend a text at mile 10 fairly upbeat, come meet me at the line in 30 minutes. Then it was about 4.5 miles of brutal uphill followed by a tiny bit of downhill and flat right at the end. xD
Needless to say I wasn't 30 minutes!
Thanks for this. Great video. Can be hard at the best of times. I have written a fell running comedy and put it up on TH-cam. I wonder if you would care to check it out. Best wishes from north Lancashire.
A kinder ultramarathon 🙂???? You're a strange definition of pain 😀.
See you utmb cm
See you there! 😊