7 top tips for first time Ultra Runners from a first time Ultra Runner

In this episode Trevor aims at first time Ultra Runners sharing his tips from being a first time ultra runner. A summary of those tips is below:

1. Find the ultramarathon you want to do, book it, and then tell everyone you’re doing it
2. Study the course plan, if you can do some recces great if not use Google maps / earth watch videos, listen to podcasts  etc...
3. Have a training plan that works for you. My recommendation would be in the last 13 weeks do some back-to-back runs maybe 16 one day and 13 the next and build in some hill work (run up the hills in training) 
4. Practice eating and drinking  in the last 3 to 4 months of training. You need to know what you’re going to be comfortable eating on the day . Practice eating even on short runs so  if you’re doing 6 miles take something to eat after 3.
5. Taper early - I did from three weeks out and the four short runs I did in those last three weeks were all at ultra pace
6. Recruit a reliable crew if you need crew for your event.  
7. If it is going to be hilly then walk up all the hills and consider using running poles but of course if you do that then do practice with them prior. 

And the bonus one -  go and have a big day out, you know you’ve done the planning and the preparation so all you’ve got to do now is go and enjoy the day

Good luck

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The Running 44@60 podcast began as a learning / motivational tool for host Trevor Lee in his quest to run a first ever ultra - the Classic Quarter in 2021 - here's the story of Running 44@60

The first episode was broadcast in August 2019. The final episode - number 173 - went out on January 31st 2025.

Trevor wrote a book on the back of the Classic Quarter: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon - all proceeds go to the Children's Hospice South West