HOW TO RUN YOUR FIRST 100K RACE! Ultramarathon tips, gel taste test and general update!

Bringing you with me on my training run in Wales to give you some tips for your first ultra! Also a bit of a general update and taste testing some gels along the way too. Enjoy! x

Huge thanks to my amazing channel members, you are the best!!

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[SarahPlace]

leave any more ultra tips down in the comments below and help each other out :)

[jemma]

Please dont stop making the videos, its really nice to see a female runners videos!! And yours are really down to earth and relatable.

[Johnjds]

Best advice I ever got was: keep it simple, run aid station to aid station, and raid them like you paid for them (because you did) 👍

[keeganbosch]

I've got my first 100k coming up this weekend, and I came here just looking for some last-minute tips and tricks, what I didn't expect to get was exactly the confidence boost I needed. "If you can run a marathon, you can run 100k" is exactly what I needed to hear today!

[blowtorch]

I've done two ultramarathon runs so far, so still a newbie but
1. You do not need to wait for a checkpoint to eat (or use a gel). In fact, it actually might be a better idea to use gels while moving.
2. If your gel does not have salts in it, take salt tablets of some kind, you'll be very glad for it. Ideally do this the same time you use the gel.
3. Top up with food at checkpoints. Feels nice to have *something* solid to eat every so often.

I am still not sure whether to do a third Country to Capital in January, but I'm almost certain about doing the NDW 50 next year - I have had the tab open in my browser for days! I'm not sure I will have any 50k runs under my belt as part of the prep tho!
Edit: Good luck with your run!

[DIYTechRepairs]

Great video. My tip doing longer runs or ultras is 1. Make sure your head is with you. Have a backup plan so if something happens just take it like it is. Many People give Up because their plan didnt hold Up. 2. Take Care of your Body! Change socks jf needed. Clean out dirt from your shoes. Make sure nothing is shafing!!! A blister can ruin your run. 3. Have fun. See it as an adventure instead of a must do!

With above you can do whatever is ahead of you :)

[apgwilym]

You're great in front of the camera.

[WaltonVideos]

The youtuber we all want but don’t deserve.

[forestplanemountain]

My 4 tips:
Cycling gloves on trail ultras have saved my hands countless times.
Planning what you’ll do at aid stations as you approach: bottles out, lids off, etc. helps me (it’s like choreographing triathlon transitions).
Also, for pacing when I’ve done a race before, having aid station splits written on my number or pinned to my vest helps me have something to aim for.
Finally, having a goal of getting the right ratio of walking from the beginning and training for uphill power walking really seemed to help my endurance.

[petercornelius]

It's been so long! I hope you come back and remain in front of the camera. You're my favorite running youtuber. We need you back!

[peterseager]

My top tip would be ‘look after your feet’. I thought I had done it all right before my 50k back in Feb, but ended up with the worst blisters in my life. The discomfort certainly made the last ten k, s ‘interesting’.

Two causes I think - Shoes may not have been fully broken in (rookie mistake ) and I didn’t put any Vaseline or other anti chafe on. Have since been introduced to a product called ‘Gurneygoo’, which is great!

Also, good to see you back Sarah and keep the vids coming 👍

[kristoffergreaves]

Hi, from Australia — I like your videos and the practical approach you adopt — please keep them coming!

[russamehta]

Just great to have you back. I love your videos, you are so natural so I find it hard to believe you are uncomfortable in front of a camera. Good luck in the North Downs 50 miler. Just typing that fills me with awe.

[juliemckie]

Great video Sarah - I totally agree about not stopping long at aid stations, and sitting down is the worse thing you can do - just keep moving. And that’s a great tip about not putting food in the back of your pack, what seems quite ‘easy’ to do at any other time can be a massive faff when you’re running an ultra!! You need to do everything you can to minimise the faff-factor! Best of luck next Saturday ☺️

[franziliciouslife]

ah you’re back! so happy! please keep it up! it’s so refreshing and inspiring to see a female runner on youtube 💪🏻

[jeffw]

I ran a 100km race on the weekend. I had issues for the first 34km where my stomach was upset, so I didn't eat or drink. I was losing steam and starting to cramp. Once my stomach settled I was able to eat food and gels and drink. I started to bounce back and after the 45km aid station where I ate even more and drank a Coke, I felt like I could run again, but took a big stack. I was able to get the rest done, but it was very difficult.

My biggest takeaway is to train your stomach to eat from the start. When you start with an energy deficit it will be difficult to eat enough to catch back.

[misiekstaszic]

As ATB says: "Don't stop" (making videos). Good to see you again! 💪

[hughmainwaring]

Lovely and positive. Bravo. ( In a moment of madness am going from almost Zero to 50 miles race [North Canum, 3rd July] in a month. That said I am getting fitter just watching these informative videos.]

[stevehurn]

So pleased when I saw you had a new video up and the perfect one too, as I have just started training for my first ultra. Thank you Sarah

[DevRunner]

I love your friendly and inviting approach to ultrarunning! You make me want to leap into that world... But first I want a new road marathon PR... 😆! Keep pushing!