Top tips for running 24 Hours - With Loyd Purvis
With Endure24 approaching we thought we'd ask friend of Fenix, YouTuber and Running lover, Loyd Purvis (AKA Run4Adventure) to give us his top tips on taking on a 24 challenge! With lots of elements to take into account, such as fuelling, kit planning and so much more, Loyd has recommend a few things that you should do before, during and after the race. Over to you Loyd.
Taking on a solo 24hr event for the first time can be pretty daunting so I've put together my top tips for before, during and after the event. I really hope you find them useful and they help when it comes to those pre-race nerves.
BUILD UP
TIP #1 - HAVE A PLAN
You are a lot more likely to have a successful event if you go in with a well formulated plan and try your best to stick to it. Have a good look at the information on the Endure24 website so you know the ins and outs of the route you'll be running on. Work out a nutritional plan, when and how you plan on getting the calories in to fuel your mind and body through the 24 hours. If you're lucky enough to have a support crew, make sure they are up to speed with your race day plan so they can get things ready for you when they're needed. This will allow you to solely focus on the challenge ahead of you. Remember though, it's very rare for a plan to go perfectly when pushing your body over 24hrs so it's good to be ready to adapt, so having a plan B, C and D is a good idea.
TIP #2 - PRACTICE RUNNING WITH A HEADTORCH
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Obviously running 24 hours will involve some night time activity. Now running with a headtorch isn't the hardest thing in the world but a bit of practice before the event would be really helpful, plus you'd want to test your headtorch out before the race. I'll be using my trusty Fenix HM65R-T on the day, a super bright running headtorch that will last pretty much the whole way through to daylight hours, so no need to be messing around changing batteries.
TIP #3 - TAPER
You are going to be putting your body and mind through a lot of trauma over the weekend, so you really want to be lining up on the start line nice and fresh. There really is no point in doing any hard efforts in your training within 10 days of Endure24. That means no challenging long runs or super quick speed sessions. Just keep the body ticking over with 2-3 short, steady runs a week.
DURING THE EVENT
TIP #1 - STICK TO THE PLAN
Remember that well formulated plan you came up with before the race? Try your best to stick to it! When that gun goes off at the start and you've got all that adrenaline pumping around your body, it's very easy to throw that plan straight out the window and go off like a scalded cat. This is definitely not the best idea and you'll see a lot of runners make this mistake on the day - try not to be one of them.
TIP #2 - TAKING ON CALORIES
In endurance events like Endure24, taking on nutrition can be the difference between having a great day and a not so great day. Keeping focus over the 24 hour period when it comes to the calories you're putting into your body is so important because funnily enough we don't work very well without them. It's very easy to lose that focus and stop eating enough, especially through the tough "witching hours" between 2am and 5am. You really do have to stay switched on and sometimes force yourself to get those important calories on board. Just think of it as a 24hr all-you-can-eat buffet!
TIP #3 - PACING
I've just mentioned this in one of the previous tips, but pacing the beginning of your race well will be a big step in the right direction to a successful weekend. Most of us will be wearing an expensive piece of running tech on our wrists but we have to make sure we pay it a lot of attention in those first few hours. Again, it's easy not to look at your watch and spend the first few hours running way out of your comfort zone getting caught up in the brilliant atmosphere of the event. Obviously you don't want to be staring at your wrist for 24 hours but it definitely helps to take a look every now and again within the first 3 or 4 miles until you settle down into your 24hr rhythm.
AFTER EVENT
TIP #1 - RECOVER WELL
Whether you're racing the 24hr period or just trying to survive until the end, your body is going to go through a lot of stress. Your system will be heavily fatigued and depleted so it's so important that you rest up and recover well. Lots of healthy eating and taking on fluids, preferably not of the alcoholic kind! Definitely no running for a while. I know this is something that as runners we're not good at doing but a bit of time off your feet will speed up the recovery process.
TIP #2 - BOOK SOME TREATMENTS
I will always try and book an appointment with my sports massage therapist before the event - this way I'm more likely to go and get some very much needed treatment. It really can help speed up the recovery process and it will go a long way to helping keep any niggles at bay that you might have picked up in the event.
TIP #3 - BE PROUD
If this is your first experience of pushing yourself over the 24hr duration, then well done and get yourself ready for a life changing experience! Once you've dug deep and made it through the weekend, make sure that you are very proud of what you've achieved and give yourself a big pat on the back for a job well done!
I really hope you've enjoyed my top tips for helping you navigate your way through your first Endure24. Hopefully your prep is going well and you are looking forward to your weekend away. All you need to do now is keep yourself fit and healthy and we'll see you on the start line in a few weeks time.
And don't forget - stay safe and keep on running!
Loyd
Loyd will be joining us at Endure24 taking on the challenge by himself as he looks to build his mileage for UTMB TDS. Go check out his YouTube videos at https://www.youtube.com/c/Run4Adventure
