Running your first ultra

On Saturday, at 3 a.m. while the rest of Cebu enjoys the long weekend, runners will heed the starting gun at Be Resorts Mactan for the Warrior 50 Plus 3. This ultramarathon designed for ultra virgins will take runners through the open roads of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Consolacion, Lilo-an and back.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own hydration system although aid stations are located every 10 kilometers throughout the out and back race course. Race bib distribution will start two hours before the starting gun goes off or at 1 a.m. of Saturday at the starting area  at the Be Resorts Mactan parking lot.

Beginners need not be intimidated by ulramarathons, especially if you’ve done your homework and faithfully logged the miles during training. In fact, you will be surprised to find that, if not for their seemingly insurmountable distance, ultramarathons are in fact much easier than the full mary.

Here are useful pre-race and racing tips from Dimity McDowell of Runnersworld in his article “You Can Run an Ultra – Running More Than 26.2 May Not Be as Hard as You Think.”

PRE-RACE

—Check and recheck the stage profiles. A big mistake beginners make is not taking enough supplies from aid station to station, which come anywhere from 10k-20k apart, depending on the course, not every mile, like most road marathons. Plan out exactly what you’ll leave (extra gear, water bottles) and take (new bottles, more food) from each station, before you get there. Then execute efficiently when you are in an aid station, and get back out on course quickly.

—Pack simply. Carry food you’ve been training with, and having access to — via a crew member or gear drop — items that make you feel at ease: extra layers, a fresh pair of shoes or socks, any items you need for your feet like blister shields. Even if you don’t use them, you won’t be worried about not having them.

—Enlist help. Although pacers aren’t usually allowed until race distances hit 100k, that doesn’t mean you can’t gather a small crew to help you through the race. They can be stationed at any accessible aid stop, ready to give you a massage, a handful of M&M’s or some moral support. Pre-race, be sure you’ve prepared them, both with information and equipment to deal with issues you may have, like changing blister treatments.

RACING

—Have one goal on the starting line. Namely, to cross the finish line. Survival first, finishing time second. Focus on getting through in one piece with a smile on your face. This is easier said than done, especially for split-obsessed road runners, but they can take heart knowing being an ultra veteran means they can be more aggressive next time. Once you’ve done one, you can think more about your performance in the following races.

—Start drinking and eating 30 minutes into the race. Continue to fuel at regular intervals whether you feel like it or not. The intensity of the running isn’t high, so success is just as dependent on eating and drinking as it is on training.

—When you eat, slow down. If your heart rate is 170, your body will have a tough time processing the food. Back off the pace and let your body process it. You’ll have less of a chance of dealing with nausea or vomiting.

—Cover ground as efficiently as possible. Walk uphill, if need be. Minimize any vertical bounce and direct your energy forward.

—Pace yourself accordingly. The race strategy is no different than on a road. If you go out too hard, you’re going to pay for it no matter where you are.

Dagan Kabataan

Please support Dagan sa Kabataan — a fun run to create awareness on the National Year of the Youth and for the benefit of the street children and out-of-school youth of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

It is happening on Sept.  18, 2011, Sunday 5 a.m. at the Ayala Terraces. Categories include 3k, 5k, 10k and 15k Inter Club. Registration is until Sept. 15 at Ayala Active Zone, FILA-SM, Cebu City Sports Complex and designated private schools. Fees are pegged at P150 to P250 depending on your category. Cash prizes and medals will be awarded to the top 10 finishers.

Finishers’ shirts will be given to all runners at the finishline.