From ZERO running to 100-MILE ULTRA in 2 years

This is my journey from no running to completing a one-hundred-mile ultramarathon in two years. No one is more surprised about this than me, but I hope that by sharing the lessons I learned along the way, it can help you too.
To see my current training plan, you can sign up to my email list here: chris-branch.ck.page/100k-plan
... but make sure you watch this video to go with it here: • Writing my 100k mounta...
Some of the videos I mention in this one are:
- My first 50k mountain ultra: • Ultra-Trail Snowdonia ...
- Chester 50-miler: • I tried to even-split ...
- My first hundred-mile attempt. DNF: • The race that broke me...
- One-hundred mile success! My first complete hundred-miler: • I Tried to Run 100-Mil...
And to see how I trained for my first ultra, I documented that here: • The Only 4 Runs You Need
Happy training! 😊🙏

[@arnasivinskis7064]

Chris, I want you to tell me a bedtime story with that voice... Jesus.

[@ChrisBranch]

Hahahaha that's hilarious 😂 but thank you (... I think 😂)

[@Nayz13]

I was just thinking how nice your voice is to listen to, so calm

[@BannyRuns]

Narrate audiobooks 🤣

[@soclose2her]

No but really 😂😂😂

[@wolfborn3973]

Well this timescale gives me reassurance that 7 months is more than enough time for a 25k trail run. Thanks for sharing the mental side of it as well as the physical.

[@ChrisBranch]

Totally! But it compounds, the first bit is the hardest, but suddenly you can ramp up the the distance 👊

[@steviewonder2492]

I’ve started from zero a month ago and been training hard for my first 30k trail race in early July. I’ve watched countless videos and gone through many blogs and threads online. This was truly inspiring! Thanks

[@ChrisBranch]

I'm so pleased! That's exactly what I'm hoping for, best of luck with your training! 😊🙏

[@jaykongo3636]

I don’t know who you are, but you have gained a new follower aggressively!

[@ChrisBranch]

Haha thanks so much! 😂🙏

[@leeroy110]

Zero running but 5k in 18 mins! I need the one video for ex-smokers who abused their bodies with drugs and alcohol for years haha. Still great video and great tips, I just need to keep building.

[@ChrisBranch]

Ah, I didn't make it clear, there was a 5-yr gap between my ability to run an 18:30 and starting running again, but you're right, I wasn't unfit when I started. However, all of the principles I share will 100% work with anyone. I think @Marklewisfitness has released a video with someone who had the most ridiculous transformation if you are looking for inspiration 😊🙏

[@leeroy110]

@@ChrisBranch I've followed Mark for a while and saw that transformation, it was incredible! I've got nothing to complain about and just eager to be the future version of myself now. You guys went past me on the UTMB this year and that fitness level seems impossible but it's just a matter of time.

[@ianl4518]

I've just DNF'd Arc100 and this was a great pick me up because I'm also entered into SDW100 later in the year. Thanks Chris 👍

[@ChrisBranch]

Every single person I follow who did the Arc 50 or 100 said it was tougher than they expected. Well done for giving it a go, and I’m sure you learned a lot of useful lessons to help with SDW100. I will definitely be back to that race one day - I have unfinished business there 😂 Best of luck with your training 🙏

[@ianl4518]

Thanks Chris. I have some experience with that part of the SWCP but not much. Classic Qtr race and a couple of recces. Most of my SWCP races are in north and south Devon with the Climb South West races. I live in Winchester though, so it's hard to replicate that terrain. 😆

[@JamesAlberts]

Great video - Thanks for sharing your story, Chris!

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, James, I appreciate that ☺️🙏

[@1603_theadventure_mattrix]

Again another clear and informative but also supportive vid Chris. Well done!!! Your insight helps to keep me moving forward

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, Matt, I appreciate that 😊🙏

[@jackcollo7738]

Awesome Chris Good luck at UTS. I’ll be there supporting generally

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much! And say hi if you see me in the mountains ☺️🙏

[@vincentcoulombe8790]

Thanks Chris! I was waiting for this video to come out as you spoiled me last fall 😝I like your mindset and your content! Thank you for sharing all this.

[@ChrisBranch]

Hahah thanks so much! I'm so pleased you like the videos, and I wish you the best with your training 😊🙏

[@oxalotte936]

You're the Bob Ross of trail running, hearing you is so nice. Cheers from France, hope you will challenge one day our beautiful ultra-trail races. Thanks for your work and videos, happy training !

[@ChrisBranch]

Haha that's the first time I've been compared to Bob Ross 😂 Thanks so much for your kind words 😊

[@Kelly_Ben]

Loved this! The uncertainty about ultras adds to the challenge and excitement. The fact that even the pros aren't guaranteed a finish, much less a win, is actually kind of cool. Whether i finish a race or not, it was still an incredible day out in beautiful places (sorry, no tracks for me, more power to you! 😂) with awesome people. I went couch to 50k in 8 months a few years ago. I've been swamped with work the last 2 years, but I'm aiming for a 50 miler now, now that I'm a little cocky about 50ks/ marathons... I'm not fast, so my thrill is completing something scary and difficult. Love your videos!

[@ChrisBranch]

Hahahaha I won’t be rushing back to the track either 😂 but it was a good exploration of my mind. I will be exploring beautiful nature from now on though. And I love that you’re aiming at a 50-miler; I always like to have something that makes me feel uneasy in the diary; it keeps me on the straight and narrow. Best of luck with your training ☺️🙏

[@PatrickDelorenzi]

Fantastic video Chris, thank you. Hopefully, if everything goes to plan, I will be tackling my first 100 mile in april and will be sure to integrate some of the info from this video along the journey. TY and have a great day

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, Patrick! And best of luck with your training for the hundred. Have you seen the video I made specifically about the lessons I learned in the hundred? There are some things I put in there that had a bit more focus for the hundred-mile distance than I put in this video. I wish you the best with it 😊🙏 kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHLOnqeHatF2etksi=CEiS1PApunP1tZ8E

[@jamesbrennan5035]

Love hearing about your journey Chris. I took the plunge and did a 50k last year and loved it. Working up to a 100k this September and finding your videos really inspiring and helpful. Thanks

[@ChrisBranch]

Amazing! Nice work on the 50k and I wish you the best with your training for the hundred 👊🙏

[@hoopeverlasting]

This is so wonderful of you to share....thank you! So accessible and so perfect. There right now! You two years ago! But I have got the bug!

[@ChrisBranch]

Amazing! I love that beginning stage of a new journey, I'm excited for you! Best of luck with it 😊🙏

[@ourwilliam2405]

Your videos are great

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much 😊🙏

[@marktbarr]

Thank you.

[@ChrisBranch]

You're most welcome ☺️🙏

[@chrismelikian]

Loved the video! When I did my first 25k last year my plan was to stay in my Zone 2 (130-140). In the end I averaged 172bpm, my max is only 184! 😂 Am training better now! Looking forward to going through your plan, thank you! 👍

[@ChrisBranch]

Wow, that's impressive to stay that high! Must have been a tough race though 😂 Good luck with your training ☺️🙏

[@johngeraghty1631]

Thanks for another great video Chris. Working up to that goal. Quick question for you with your osteopath hat on. I think I’ve got weak hips and that’s causing some discomfort on my longer runs. What exercise would you recommend to strengthen hip flexors or to relieve that discomfort? Thanks again for your motivating and soothing videos.

[@ChrisBranch]

Thank you, John, I appreciate that. I discovered that I have weak hip flexors too! I’ll definitely be putting some exercises into a full video soon, but in the meantime, the best exercise I’ve found is the ‘reverse squat’ using a cable machine. The only problem is that it’s a complete faff to set up and I don’t have the foot straps for it, so instead I’m going to be doing something similar using resistance bands and doing them single-leg. I don’t know the name of this exercise, but I will be supine, in a single-leg bridge with a band around both feet, and with the leg that is not doing the bridge, I will pull that knee towards my chest. This is a bit of a 2-for-1 because you’re getting the posterior hip stability of the supporting leg in the bridge, and the anterior stability of the leg doing the hip flexing. Plus the spinal stability I guess, so really it’s 3-for-1! I’m not sure if any of that made sense, but it will definitely appear in a YT video soon. I will probably share it in a little video on Instagram before I get it in the long-format here. THere’s a link for my instagram page in my channel description 👍 Strong hips are so important though, so I will continue to share my strategy for this on this channel. Best of luck with your training ☺️🙏

[@johngeraghty1631]

@@ChrisBranch thanks so much for the detail Chris. Already following on instagram so will be sure to check it out. Thanks again

[@rubenv3026]

Hanging leg raises are also good for strengthening the hip flexors (as well as the lower abs). Start with bent legs and build up to straight legs. You can also add weight later by using a pullup belt and placing the plate on your lap as opposed to between your legs.

[@johngeraghty1631]

@@rubenv3026 thanks ruben

[@lukescott8566]

Found your video today, just peeled my Fat Ass off the couch and did 5K, slow pace but it’s a start… next goal is 100miles, long way to go but you’ve to start somewhere! Thanks for the new mind set 👌👍🏼

[@ChrisBranch]

Amazing! I wish you the very best on the journey, it sounds like you're off to a great start 🙏

[@rfcorreiaiv]

i made it thru 46 miles of a 50 last year, I got so slow due to poor nutrition and hydration I was told to stop at sunset. There was no muscling thru. Great video

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, and we all learn these lessons the hard way - I've been there too! Best of luck with your training 😊🙏

[@P.terPan]

Congrats and thanks for sharing! 🎉

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much 😊🙏

[@CatsAreTheBestPeople-mm1fo]

I'd cry too if I ran around a track 403 times! 😭🤣 Give me a brutal mountain trail any day - speaking of which, I'm going to try to track down that book. Thanks for the tip and your insights, Chris. 👍

[@ChrisBranch]

Hahaha yes, 403 laps is a bit nuts 🤦‍♂️😂 It's a great book btw, I'm sure you'll like it 🙏

[@shoqed]

Ikr, it's like chinese water torture kinda shit

[@BoJackHorseman_eatshay]

Hi Chris, I am not interested in running long distances in the least bit (weights guy), yet I watched the entire 9:20 glued to the screen. Fantastic production, cuts, voice, tone, and information. Hope you gain the following your talent should have.Stay nice and humble! Cheers from across the pond!.

[@ChrisBranch]

This is such a wonderful comment! Thank you so much, and I'm so pleased you enjoyed it 😊🙏

[@Mohsenzamanii]

I finiahed a 64km race 3 month ago(in 11 hr), and i want to tack part in an ultra race in valdaran cdh 110 km ,6500 m elevation, i saw your 16 weeks plan, do you think that i can make myselfe ready for the race in july??

[@ChrisBranch]

It sounds like it will be fun to try! I know someone who raced in Valdaran, and it's really tough, but beautiful! With the right training, and good race and nutrition strategy, you should make it 👍

[@adam_doesthings817]

I'm curious about the difference in times from 3 years ago to now. Like what did your pace change by? What was the last 100 mile time?

[@ChrisBranch]

When you ask about pace, what do you mean? Like my base pace? Or how fast I run ultras? No two races are the same, and even if you run the same race two years in a row, weather and the conditions can make such a difference to time. I ran my hundred miler in 24 hrs, but I honestly don't care about the time. For me, it was the life lessons along the way. I'm a better runner than I was, and I have better knowledge than I did back then, but exactly how much 'faster', who cares 🤷‍♂️☺️🙏

[@adam_doesthings817]

@@ChrisBranch I guess the reason I'm asking about pace is to try and see the difference between you starting to apply more Zone 2 in your training and how it's changed your cardio. Like after a year of 80% zone 2 runs you went from a 4 hour marathon to a 3:30.. for example. After a year of zone 2, how has your zone 2 capability changed.. mine was 14:00 pace on the tread.. now its 12:55 after 2 months. Wondering what to expect

[@CiaoMykola]

Every time I see a 100k run, I assume it's 100 km, but it's actually 160 km... Did I miss the time/pace information in the video? I'm still to face an ultra marathon, but for the moment, I am only thinking about training for the Ironman. If it goes well this year, I am planning on running a 500k trail next year (or at least applying to run it if they still have spots in October). Nevertheless, would be nice to see Strava included in the video :)

[@ChrisBranch]

If you see '100k', it means '100k'. If you see '100-miles', that's 160k. I didn't put the time info in here because I don't think it's the most relevant thing. I'm a mid-pack runner here to share my experience in the hope to help you guys; my times don't matter 😊. Best of luck with your training 😊🙏

[@outinthesun]

Unfortunately the wife walked in and wants you to do a podcast on bedtime stories also.

[@ChrisBranch]

Hahahaha that's hilarious! 😂 (... although I'm starting to get enough comments like this to think I've got a side-hustle opportunity 😂🤦‍♂️)

[@mintymilkk]

"zero running" but can already run an 18:30 5K

[@ChrisBranch]

That was a few years ago. I had muscled my way to an 18:30 5k, then got into other things for a couple of years, then came back to running but with a better training strategy 👍

[@Lincriss]

fantastic video. I only ran shorter distances, but I just love running. Man that was motivating. Just let me get my shoes... 🫶

[@ChrisBranch]

I'm so pleased! Information and motivation is my goal. I hope you enjoyed your run 😊🙏