[Author’s Note: This article is part of an occasional series on the unique opportunities and challenges of growing older as a runner.]
After over 30 years of running ultramarathons, next month, I will be doing something in the sport I have never done before — run a 250-mile race. On May 5, I will embark on the longest run of my life at the Cocodona 250 Mile here in my home state of Arizona. Over the past several months, as I have built up my training before the big day, I have been increasingly experiencing the pre-race excitement of a beginning ultrarunner, and I must admit it’s quite fun.
Not surprisingly, I feel much of the same anxiety I felt over three decades ago preparing for my first ultra. And, along the way, I have realized that there are several aspects of running a new and much longer distance that are testing my ability to adapt to new things. Put another way, the Cocodona 250 Mile is teaching this old dog some new tricks.
Andy Jones-Wilkins and his dog, Josey, in Arizona. Photo courtesy of Andy Jones-Wilkins.
The biggest and most mentally overwhelming new trick I need to learn is managing sleep in such a long race. In my entire career running ultras, I have slept during a race exactly once, at the 2016 Hardrock 100. For every one of my other races, I have been able to get through them without sleep. This will obviously not be the case at Cocodona!
It seems to me that managing sleep is one of the biggest challenges most runners face at multi-day events, and there seem to be many different plans and strategies that athletes employ in their races. As for me, I am working on a plan that will have me run as far into the second night of the race as I can before taking my first sleep break. Then, from there, I don’t really have a plan, other than sleeping whenever I feel the need to and having my crew and pacers manage those sleep breaks so that they are not too long.
The next new trick I am learning is how to use poles. I have only raced with poles a few times and never for the length of time I will be using them at Cocodona. I have been diving into the research on energy expenditure differences with and without poles and have a general plan of when and where I will use them. I am also learning that I have needed to work on my upper body strength as part of my training as using poles does lead to upper body fatigue. Finally, I continue to work on my pole technique as there are clearly differences between the right way to use poles and the wrong way, and too much of the wrong way certainly adds to muscle fatigue and pain.
Finally, I am coming to grips with carrying a heavy pack. For the majority of my ultrarunning career, I have been a handheld person. Two bottles and a pair of shorts with pockets have been historically enough for me to get through any of my ultras. Running Cocodona this way is simply not possible. Between mandatory gear, the amount of water needed on several sections of the course, and the wide temperature swings during the race, running Cocodona must be done with a pack. And a pretty heavy one at that. I am slowly adjusting to running with a heavy pack during many of my daily runs, and over time I am becoming more accustomed to it.
AJW running the 2021 Three Days of Syllamo stage race with his preferred handheld bottle. Photo: Amanda Harvey
A month out from the big day and I am eager and excited for the race, as this old dog is oddly enjoying learning some new tricks!
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
This week’s beer of the week comes from Old Dog Brewing Company in Bobcaygeon, Ontario. Single Malt Scottie is a rich and nutty Scottish ale, reminiscent of the classic Scottish ales of Glasgow. Weighing in at a mild 4.7%, Single Malt Scottie is a delicious beer to be enjoyed just about any time.
Call for Comments
Have you any big goals for the year which will require you to learn some new skills as a runner?
