Lessons from an Ultra Trail Run Pt 1

When was the last time you did something beyond your limitations? This year I turn 50, and five days from now I will be running my first 50km ultra trail run with my 19 year old son. Five months ago I would have said, 'You're crazy, I couldn't do that!' This post and the post after the event is intended to give you a glimpse into my world and what I'm learning from attempting something beyond 'my ability'. Better yet, you can sit in your comfy desk chair and read this and glean your own learning. I challenge you not to simply read and learn, but ponder what limitations you have set on yourself and what you will do to go beyond them. 

You are capable of far more than you think - so change what you think

We usually have no idea what we are capable of until we bump into someone who is doing something 'outside-the-box' and their life inspires or challenges or confirms to us to have-a-go. Doing difficult things is what makes life meaningful. Doing difficult things with and for the ones you love makes life eternally meaningful!

I was happily skipping along in life having checked off a marathon ("I'll never do that again") ten years ago. Then I got to hang out with my friends Dan & Quin Weber and Zac Aten and Lauren and Brent Brownlee who are all part of Bethel Church Atlanta (where we have our annual Heaven in Business conference). Hanging out looked like going for short trail runs and eating pizza. Then they got into  telling stories of all the ultra trail runs they have done and have planned. Something sparked in me... and they poured on the fuel. Shortly after arriving home a gift arrived in the letterbox. It was a Coros running watch. Now I was REALLY hooked!

=> Get around people who challenge and inspire you to go beyond your limitations

It Always Seems Impossible Until it is Done - Nelson Mandela

Could I run 50k... in the mountains... climbing more than 4500 feet... in less than 12 hours?

When I talk to my girls they look at me sideways, pause, slightly shaking their heads... "Why????" I think, "Because the world belongs to those who ask 'Why not?!' " I was born to discover and explore and adventure and I love the outdoors and I turn 50 this year and I'm just getting started... and my friends did it already!

And it's something I thought I couldn't do. And I know when I look beyond what I think I can't do I will expand my thinking of what is possible in ALL of life.

Then I learned some things...

I don't have to run 50k. I just have to run from aid station to aid station.

=> Break down the goal into bite-size chunks and soon impossible becomes possible, then probable, then done

So what are you facing that is beyond your ability? How could you break it down into 'aid' stations - bite-size and achievable goals along the way?

Here's some other lessons I've learned on the journey preparing to go beyond my limitations

=> Doing it with others is way more fun and guarantee's you will go further

If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together (African proverb). Whether you are doing chores or training for an event or traveling the world, there is something powerful about having someone with you. Jesus sent out the disciples on mission, two by two. God Himself said it's not good for man to be alone. There is much in the bible about the power of two or more, together. So it's spiritually and practically advantageous to not go alone. Who do you have around you that you could go with? Who could you encourage and inspire? 

=> You must Slow down to go the distance

I don't like patience or slowness. But I've learned all about heart rate zones. If I keep my pace and therefore my heart rate under 150bpm (my watch monitors my heart rate), I can keep going on and on and on... But if I get my tail up at the start because it's flat or I'm competing with someone I will run at what seems to be comfortable pace and my heart rate will be in in the mid 150's or higher. And the result will be in about 5 miles I will start to fade. There is a zone at which you can endure seemingly endlessly. It's the same spiritually. Learn your heart rate zones and slow down to go further. A great 'tell' is if you cannot have a conversation with someone as you are moving, you are moving too fast.

It's not good to have zeal without knowledge or to be hasty and miss the way. Proverb

=> Nutrition is not important, it is critical

When I do exercise for up to an hour and a half I can get away with almost anything (or nothing!). But when I am wanting to sustain activity over a period of 2 or 3 or 8 hours it is critical that I think about my inputs. What I feed myself will determine whether I endure joyfully or burnout along the way. 

What you are feeding yourself now will affect how you 'perform' later. So what are you feeding yourself? What voices? What nutrition?

=> What you wear will help or hinder you

As with nutrition, your gear-kit doesn't really matter if you are only wanting to go a short distance. But when you want to do something involving endurance or high performance, your gear becomes critically important. I wear a size 13 shoe running... until I run for more than an hour and my feet swell and cause my toes to get crushed. I now have a size 14 shoe just for going the distance. I used to not care what shorts or shirts I wear when running. Now I have sweat-wicking-only clothes and I'm super fussy about what underwear... Rubbing plus sweat plus hours is a guarantee to shorten your endurance. 

So what are you wearing? What have you put up with that is actually hindering you going the distance? This could apply to clothing that you got away with at your previous capacity but is now undermining what you are doing now. This could apply to baggage you are carrying that is unnecessary and weighing you down. This leads to the next step.

=> Get advice, qualified advice

I have a training plan that I got from an ultra-runner. I have spoken with ultra runners about what food and what clothing and what shoes... I have watched youtube video's on different training programs and 'testimonies' and read articles online from reputable sources. I've read books and articles. I ask for wise counsel from those who have gone before me (and survived!). I don't ask a sprinter on how to train for an ultra. Wisdom is found in the multitude of counselors but choose your counselors wisely. Ask for feedback. Be accountable. Be teachable (ie. learn and adjust). 

=> Do the work

There are no shortcuts. Believe me, I ran my marathon ten years ago on six weeks training and paid for it dearly when my muscles cramped repeatedly for the last 6 miles. As I crossed the finish line, my wife said that I looked like how she felt after giving birth! What's the point? If you want to endure and do it with more joy, don't cut any corners with preparation or training. Learn. Study. Get out there and train even when it's 'too hot' or 'too sticky' or you don't feel like it. On Saturday I will run 50k but in actuality I have already run more than 150km in the last three weeks in preparation! 

As you read through this, what stands out as most significant for you to apply? 

Next step - grab a copy of Dream Culture: Bringing Dreams to Life. It's super practical and written to help you discover the dreams and desires of your heart, turn them into practical action steps and overcome challenges on the way.

Even better next step - join the growing community going after a deeper partnership with God at work and in all of life. Every week be encouraged and inspired and activated to go beyond your limitations. More information and how to access the free trial here