Disastrous Marathon Race Day Mistakes to Avoid

[@runningwithsimon]

Also don't forget to put sunscreen before filming a running tip video...oopsies!

[@freekwarmenhoven8770]

😂

[@wk633]

My addition would be- deal with small problems immediately. A problem ignored just grows until it can't be ignored. This usually applies to blisters and other chafing, but could also be realizing you didn't put on sunscreen, or pee, or ... Resolve it as soon as you can, putting it off will just have a greater negative impact on your race. The one caveat is that if you're almost to the finish, or almost to the next aid station, then putting it off for a better location to address the problem might not be a bad idea. But mostly, if it's mildly annoying now, it will force you to stop later.

[@runningwithsimon]

100% !! That’s why I always carry lube. Sure I could always wait until next aid station, but best to resolve a small problem now than a big problem later!

[@iterato1]

When people ask me what ultra-running taught me, this is my answer! Don't let small problems become big problems. I _sometimes_ take this advice when it comes to my home maintenance 😅

[@adventurecats4816]

I got a kind of late start to a race, hadn't really mapped the drive because I knew where it was, got lost in a construction detour, had to park more than 1/2 mile away. I wasn't too worried about the start time, it was a "run as many laps in 12 hours" event. Took off down the trail, which wasn't very well marked, took a wrong turn in the hilly dense forest, ran around on random trails for about an hour before I got back on the actual course. It was a 10k loop, I didn't count it in my tally because I hadn't followed the course. It was still a great day, deep in the Coast Range forest of NW Oregon 😊

[@runningwithsimon]

haha to me it sounds like you learned nothing!

[@ilbarza]

In a 90k race with 6k elevation, my wall was solid food! Gels and sport bars become a nightmare

[@runningwithsimon]

They work great…until they don’t anymore!

[@jessemedina6100]

A recent race day mistake i had was not tying my shoes tight enough. It was only a 50k but the majority of the trail was technical downhill running. Suffice to say my toes were beat up and my pinky toes had bloody blisters the size of my big toes. 😂😂 great tips as always simon!

[@runningwithsimon]

Lost the toe nail?

[@jessemedina6100]

@@runningwithsimon only 3 toenails 🤣

[@dresden_slowjog]

Newbies, on big races: (1) Come 1 hour earlier to the race than you think is ok. Everything takes sooo much longer, bag drop, PORTALOO QUEUES, walking to the start. (2) Queue early for the portapotty. Do it. Then queue again :-) (3) Bring your own (halffull) roll of toiletpaper to the portapotty. Donate it one your last trip. I put it inside on a safe spot, or just outside. I've seen enough portapotties which ran out of toilet paper. No more! People behind you will be so grateful.

[@runningwithsimon]

The hero we need!

[@Kelly_Ben]

Great video!! Thankfully, i have a solid stomach and a slow pace. I also love ALL the new food on race day. I "trained" for it by going for runs right after eating meals. I learned what components i can't handle- spicy and acidic. Puke in training, not on raceday! 😆 But now i know i can shovel grilled cheese, Mac n cheese, bacon and keilbasa and ALL the baked goods down my gullet without worries. Here's to gluttony- i mean, fueling! 😆

[@runningwithsimon]

Fuji didn't have any of my typical - options were relatively limited. And almost nothing you could take with you. 1 gel per runner (needless to say, not enough for 14 miles segment). Only thing I saw to go were bananas. I must have had 40 bananas today! So far so good...but that was lucky! ps: I also suspect that their sport drink was making my pee bright yellow - at first I was 'wow! I'm THAT dehydrated', but in retrospect, that can't be it)

[@dmytrochan7402]

I heard a long time ago about a way to rest your feet is to lie down and raise your feet up for a few minutes, resting them against a wall or a tree or whatever. And it greatly relieves the condition of the legs. Does anyone use this method on ultramarathons?

[@Kelly_Ben]

I saw a guy doing that in Simon's video. He thought the guy was about to fart. 😂😂 The science does back it though.

[@runningwithsimon]

He CLAIMS it was to stretch, and as a gentlemen, I let it go. We'll never know for sure

[@CC-iq4ju]

I just watched your Mt. Fuji video, so watching this one about what to avoid doing on race day really resonated.

[@DimiSalviato]

Djokovic on ultra running! Awesome!

[@nikoletan6746]

One of the most helpful videos I’ve seen. And very timely for me - big race tomorrow. Thank you.

[@runningwithsimon]

How did it go?

[@eric-running-to-chamonix]

Not what-if planning for being on the course longer than I expected due to weather or injury/cramping or not knowing the surface conditions. I need to think through a range of scenarios but typically don’t.

[@runningwithsimon]

Seriously! One of my big fear has always been "what if I don't reach my dropbag before nightfall. So I tend to have it ridiculously early. But now I guess I know I'd be able to take of business even if my dropbag gets lost.

[@iksanderrr]

great timing as i have an ultra on saturday.

[@Kelly_Ben]

Good luck!

[@runningwithsimon]

Let us know how it goes!

[@Krull1988]

Super video 👍 die entspannte art ist super zum zuschauen. Ich renn nächsten Sonntag meinen ersten Marathon und verfolge viel deiner videos in hoffnung auch bald ultras zu laufen Danke für die vielen Tipps 👌 und grüsse aus Deutschland 👋

[@runningwithsimon]

Viel Glück!

[@rclembobbyphe3362]

Backyard ultra in 8 days. I'm very excited. Great video, dude. That ridge scene is ridiculous. Stop it

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks! Looks much worse than it actually is. I wouldn't risk it otherwise.

[@ucamper]

I've found that deciding in my mind before a race to go to the side and walk the first 100 meters or so will but me in a different mindset. I am mentally prepared to start slow kind of.

[@runningwithsimon]

That's very interesting! I do kind of the opposite and I know it messes me up (I just don't have a solution). What happens is some times, I'll try to get footage of the race starting - like a spectator. So then I need to rush back to the start, being last out. And that gets me in the mood of passing people non-stop.

[@pastryhousehippo]

My first 100 miler is this weekend and this video could not be coming at a better time. Thanks so much Simon!

[@runningwithsimon]

Good luck - let me know how it goes!

[@Kelly_Ben]

Good luck!!

[@pastryhousehippo]

@@runningwithsimon It was Canyons100 and it went great! Some tough rain and mud but besides that I held it together, got it done in 31 hours. Thank you again for pointing out each mistake - I managed to avoid all of them!

[@runningwithsimon]

@@pastryhousehippo Congratulations! What did you think of the race? I've heard some complaints in the past but they may have improved since. I'd love to do it some day - being california-based, it'd be very practical...

[@pastryhousehippo]

@@runningwithsimon I really enjoyed it. This year was on point - course was beautiful, had some good challenging sections, and the aid station volunteers were amazing. Weather seems to be the big variable - last year was 90s, this year was 50s and raining/hailing. Makes for an interesting run. Auburn is a picturesque town too.

[@EbonyGriffin]

These are so helpful! Thank you!!

[@runningwithsimon]

You're so welcome!

[@Go_Irish]

Simon, in training I try to eat something before every run and will eat during runs 10 miles or more (something every 30-40 minutes). I consider this part of the training to keep my stomach use to digestion while running.

[@runningwithsimon]

I've always been pretty good at this - but I think nora does that some times and it helps

[@UntalLaurencio]

Muy buen video y recordatorio para todos nosotros que estamos comenzando en esto. Gracias por tomarte el tiempo para compartir. Espero con ansias el video de Fuji compadre! 🙌🏼

[@runningwithsimon]

Thanks - wow that's actually perfect for me to train - got 90% without google translate! Fuji was great (just finished couple hours ago) - can't wait to put the movie together. A very different experience than what I'm used to!

[@UntalLaurencio]

@@runningwithsimon yes! Google does pretty well. Seen little bits and pieces of Fuji on your instagram. Will be on the lookout for the video! 🙌🏼

[@JetForce-NathanHigginson]

Another wicked video Eating and drink too much l In one sitting messed me up for a good hour

[@runningwithsimon]

Yeah it's best to go little bit all the time if possible to not upset stomach. It's harder than it sounds to digest when running!

[@JetForce-NathanHigginson]

@@runningwithsimon do you pre mix all your hydration for your drop bags if your solo?

[@JetForce-NathanHigginson]

@@runningwithsimon it’s always easier said than done hey. What do you suggest for hydration if it’s really hot and your mouth gets supper dry and you feel like you can’t stop drinking… what do you take to get over that feeling ?

[@runningwithsimon]

@@JetForce-NathanHigginson no, I use what they have at aid station. I never had that happen when drinking wouldn’t help so not sure what to recommend sorry.

[@ianwarner1429]

Great VLOG!

[@runningwithsimon]

Thank you!!

[@bridgetrunshikessurfs]

Have you ever instead of doing a training run you did a training walk? I wanted to get the time on feet but needed to take it more easy.

[@runningwithsimon]

Yes and no. I use some walking as part of my recovery cycle. As part of my more typical training, not really, except maybe some segment if I go running on trail. Doesn't mean it's a bad idea to have walk/run cycles, or even just walking. Just not what I do, but it can be a good idea

[@bridgetrunshikessurfs]

Cool thanks for the feedback 🐱 !

[@darrelporter1620]

Great video and super useful tips, ramping up my training for my first 50 mile trail race this September. Cheers!

[@runningwithsimon]

Great, good luck! I guess it's time for summer training!

[@Kayrunningandcoffeeaddict]

If there's a race day mistake to make - I've made it!! 🤣

[@runningwithsimon]

haha self-taught expert !!!

[@Kayrunningandcoffeeaddict]

I puked - on the way to my last ultra!! I tried new caffeinated gels (BIG MISTAKE trying something new on race day!!)...the caffeine was WAY too much and...I🤢🤮in the car!

[@runningwithsimon]

Well that stinks!

[@freekwarmenhoven8770]

U wanne puke on training not on race day, great tip 😂🙏

[@runningwithsimon]

I've got all the best tips - that's why they pay me the big buck!

[@bikerdude221]

Merci Simon... J'ai mon premier 50k le 11 de mai et j'ai la chienne. MERCI MILLE FOIS pour tes video.

[@runningwithsimon]

Bon courage!

[@pexcii]

Me before ultra "training": "Uses the WC a bunch of times." Me out the first 30min of a session: I am sure today is the day! My body: Are you sure about that?🤣

[@runningwithsimon]

I was so scared at Mt Fuji 100! The line was too long (it was insanely long - probably 45 min) and I was going wave 1 so couldn't wait. But also, it'd be super disrespectful over there to...well to just go there. So the big question was - how does my body feel about midnight start? Turns out - not the same as a morning start!

[@pexcii]

@@runningwithsimon That is no fun

[@dawgfudmoney]

Haha I’m in this video cleaning my feet at aid station. I knew I recognized you at Zion! I watched a lot of your videos during training for zion. Good stuff and congrats on your solid race!

[@runningwithsimon]

Oh hey nice running with you! The clip is also in the Zion movie (I think..)

[@dawgfudmoney]

@@runningwithsimon yes I watched the Zion video too, great work!

[@KingGold666]

Is there a maximum age to start with the training for an ultramarathon?