If I Wanted to Run an Ultramarathon in 2024, I'd Do This...

[@SiriusScientist]

I think you have the most zen running channel on KZbin, so I hope this buys you a coffee after one of those super early morning runs. Are you planning a “planning” video to follow this one? I have picked my race and worked backward the number of weeks I’d need to safely train to complete that distance, but it is the first race I’m actually preparing for and not just winging when I show up, so it would be great to see how others do it. Keep the great content coming!

[@ChrisBranch]

Wow, thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words. I often feel anxious about not being as energetic as other fitness KZbinrs, but I'm starting to accept that's who I am and should lean into being me. Comments like this really help. And yes, great idea. Having paid for plans in the last couple of years, I am going to be writing my own plan for my next ultra, so I will share that process in the next couple of weeks. I think of training plans like recipes. When you're a beginner cook, you follow the recipe exactly, but once you have experience, you throw in a few changes. I'm like that now with my training plan. I'll share all my thoughts soon 😊🙏 Thank you again, it really means a lot 🙏

[@CostaCosta-b7b]

The voice

[@owen-trombone]

Wow thanks for the shout out! I’m so happy to hear that my small donation was so meaningful to you. I really enjoy your videos and find them very inspirational. I might just sign up for my first ultra thanks to this one. Keep up the great work and have an amazing new year!

[@ChrisBranch]

Honestly, it brought a tear to my eye when I saw the notification. It was such a juxtaposition between me shovelling gravel and your kind donation coming in. It meant a lot to me. And that would be amazing to sign up to a race! Remember what I said in this one; find one that creates nervous excitement, and it will be a great motivator for the year. Best of luck! ☺️🙏

[@liamallport3361]

Hi Chris, got my first marathon in May and my first 55k ultra in October. Its my goal to complete one before I hit 40 and I'm hoping to do more in future

[@ChrisBranch]

Incredible, what a year it will be for you! And trust me, you'll definitely do more - this stuff's addictive 😂

[@quercus21]

Hi Chris, I booked the 100 km Race to the King in June and then got excited and booked the 70 km Wildstrubel by UTMB in Switzerland for September. The furthest I’ve Ran so far is 14 miles although I’ve done plenty of multi day hikes in the mountains of Europe, Nepal, and USA over the years. I’ve been trail running for about a year and a half and have been steadily increasing distance and type of runs for the last month. Your videos have been very helpful. I have a Vo2 max and lactate threshold test in a couple of weeks and have been easing myself into strength training. Enjoying your Content mate.

[@ChrisBranch]

Oh wow, those races sound great! I would love to race in Europe; maybe next year for me. And it sounds like you've got a solid plan, and your hiking background will really help. Best of luck with it 👊

[@JacquesThebeau]

Signed up for my 1st ultra 55k in October… thanks to these videos! Love them!

[@ChrisBranch]

Amazing! Best of luck with your training, you've got plenty of time to feel amazing by then. You've got this 😊👊

[@RichardStephens-u4m]

Chris, just want to say how awesome this plan has been. I've followed it for a while and now I'm seeing my av speed / km come right down, even though I've spent nearly all of my training runs in zone 2. Who knew? Well you did of course. Thanks a million, really inspirational.

[@ChrisBranch]

I'm so pleased it helped! This is _exactly_ why I make these videos. Best of luck with your training 😊🙏

[@andrewgraham5080]

I’ve started watching all of your videos twice, as they contain so much valuable information. Many thanks Chris.

[@ChrisBranch]

I love that! Thanks so much 😊🙏 Hopefully you're realising that I'm basically saying the same thing over and over again: Do most of your training slowly, do some speed work, stay strong, learn how to fuel yourself (in training and in races). Repeat. Be consistent! There are nuances, but that's my channel in a nutshell 😂

[@andrewgraham5080]

@@ChrisBranch love it. Thanks Chris. Only doing zone 2 running for now. I’ll add in some speed intervals as my cardio increases. I’ve built myself a training and strength plan based on information I’ve gleaned from several of your videos. Managed 10k yesterday and 10k today. Tomorrow is a strength day and Thursday will be rest and mobility,etc.

[@chariscampbell6098]

Starting with a half marathon but ultra is definitely the goal.. nice video for me good message about commitment, as Goggins says dont leave anything on the table! Thanks 😊

[@ChrisBranch]

This will be great! Take your time, and each race leads to the next. I'm sure you'll get that ultra 😊🙏

[@chariscampbell6098]

@@ChrisBranch thanks I’m def gonna try! ☺️ can you link the one you did in Snowdonia I’m really interested in that one I go up there quite a bit I’ve hiked it.. I’m from south wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@JamesAlberts]

Great advice as always Chris! Looking for my first ultra-marathon now; it's a same that the 'shorter' races for Snowdonia are filled now!

[@ChrisBranch]

I know, they filled up so fast! Enjoy researching races, that's the fun bit 😊🙏

[@seanoreilly2013]

Absolute pleasure to watch your videos mate!! I'm starting to dabble into trail running and ultras after I run my marathon in Barcelona in March and you're such an inspiration for me to go out and do it. The videos you make are top quality and your personality really shines on the videos. Looking forward to the new ones :)

[@ChrisBranch]

That's very kind to say, thanks so much ☺️🙏 And best of luck training out on the trails 👊

[@kingy1204]

great advice Chris - role on 2024

[@ChrisBranch]

Absolutely! I hope you have a great one ☺️👊

[@stenerikreinhold]

Tack!

[@ChrisBranch]

Wow, thank you so much! I really appreciate this. Best of luck with your training 😊🙏

[@AF-qq2le]

I've signed up for my first ultra this year, im excited but also bricking it (which is the whole point ). I came across your video and wanted to say thanks for sharing your experiences and positive outlook with us, i already kind of know what i meed to do but its good to have it reinforced by somebody far more experienced, so thanks again 😂

[@ChrisBranch]

Haha bricking it is a good place to be - it helps you to train. I love that feeling! Best of luck with your training 😊🙏

[@iancave6753]

Thanks Chris - Food for thought for sure

[@ChrisBranch]

You're most welcome 😊🙏

[@matthewpaulden9604]

Keep the videos coming for 2024 …providing me with inspiration and motivation for me …considering my first ultra this year 😂

[@ChrisBranch]

Amazing! Well, whatever you decide, I hope your training goes well 😊🙏

[@Rimo_raj]

Danke!☺

[@ChrisBranch]

Wow, thank you so much! This is so kind, I really appreciate it 😊🙏🙏🙏 Happy training 😊

[@stefanvandentol3604]

I love your style of videos.

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate that 😊🙏

[@Nick-B78]

I have chosen my first ultra (never ran more than 12km so far) but haven’t booked it yet but after this I’ll be booking it asap, thanks! Also, the zone 2 running technique is such a great way to do it. Couch to 5k is touted as being so good but actually it’s pretty hard for anyone who is unfit and new to running as it constantly pushed you into exhaustion and makes you want to quit whereas zone 2 just say ‘run til your heart rate hit x and then walk for a bit’. So simple but really effective

[@ChrisBranch]

This is a really good point about starting with Z2 instead of couch-to-5k. I often recommend couch-to-5k to complete beginners, but in the back of my mind, starting with Z2 and walk/running based around HR makes more sense to me. And great work for choosing your first ultra! Best of luck with your training 😊🙏

[@Nick-B78]

@@ChrisBranch Thanks Chris. The other thing about Cto5k is that my wife (and other people I know) has tried it twice and given up both times because it was constantly forcing her to run past the point where the recovery time was sufficient to actually recover making it a totally miserable experience. A couple of weeks ago though she came out with me and was amazed that she completed 5km on her very first time out doing zone 2 and it only took us 47 minutes! On top of that, she wasn’t exhausted, actually found it enjoyable and wasn’t even sore the next day.

[@Kelly_Ben]

Good luck to you and your wife, I hope you both reach your goals! My favorite part of zone 2 training is that not being sore or exhausted after part... I have a very active job, and I can't let my (granted, really awesome) hobby interfere with my business. Again, best wishes!! You've got this!

[@ZisisMpagios]

Great video and great tips. I also like your relaxed way of talking! Keep 'em coming I am thinking about signing up for 'Ultra Spirit D'haene Family 2024' but it's an event that you apply as a team. And I currently cannot find anyone.. any ideas about forums/groups that have a good chance on finding a running partner? thanks!

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much! And unfortunately not; I'm a bit of a loner and I like to train alone. I'm sure there are FB groups or local running clubs where you could find people, but I've never tried myself so I'm not sure of the best way to go about it. Good luck though 😊🙏

[@ZisisMpagios]

​@@ChrisBranchAlrighty, thank you for your response 😊

[@jameschan1334]

Just found you. You have the kindest sounding voice. Really enjoy listening to your tips and suggestions. Keep up the great work. Just wondering do you use a chest strap or arm strap to monitor your zone2 runs?

[@ChrisBranch]

Sorry for the slow reply! This slipped through the net. Thank you for your kind comment. Chest straps are the best. Watch and arm straps tend to use the same technology, so have the same accuracy. They're 'okay', but I find my watch will suddenly go bonkers, like tell me I'm at 130 when I'm sprinting up a hill. Chest straps are the way to go if you want accuracy 👍

[@suelifelizardo7280]

Hi Chris, I've already signed up for my first ultramarathon this year. Your videos are very inspiring. Can you post the names of the two books you use in your planning, please? I'm from Brazil! Great Year for you!

[@ChrisBranch]

Amazing! That's so exciting for you! The two books were, 'The Uphill Athlete' (this is basically a book about endurance physiology, but it has a slight bias towards mountain running), and '80/20 Running'. The Uphill Athlete is my fave ☺️🙏 Good luck in your training 👊

[@Rimo_raj]

Thanks a lot for that great content. That passion of yours compared with solide and valide information is really helpful and inspiring. Would you mind telling me the names of the plans on training peak? Would love to take a look at them. 😅

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, I appreciate that 😊🙏 And yes; I used the Uphill Athlete plan for a 50k mountain ultra in 2022, and then I used the 80/20 Running plan for 100-mile ultras (level 2). Both were bought through Training Peaks. I would recommend looking into the 80/20 Running plans and they have a huge selection 👍

[@Rimo_raj]

@@ChrisBranch Thanks a lot - those 80/20 running plans indeed look great. I´m gonna go with them for my first 50k ;)

[@ChrisBranch]

@@Rimo_raj I think you'll love it 😊🙏

[@ncr-2]

Thanks for the video Chris, really enjoying your content. Excited to do my first 50k this year, but plan on doing a marathon first. Is there a marathon plan you recommend?

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, I appreciate that 😊🙏 And yes. I use Training Peaks, and I recommend the 80/20 Endurance plans (they sync really well with your watch). I just checked, and they have a selection of plans for marathon distance 👍 Good luck with your training 😊

[@ncr-2]

@@ChrisBranch Thanks Chris, appreciated!

[@km2637]

for 100km ultra how many Km per week would you start with and build up to Chris? Love the content!

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much! And it really depends on your level. I consider myself a mid-pack runner, and I was only doing 55 miles a week (12 hours) at my peak when training for a hundred-miler last year (it was a flat hundred, not mountains). I know elite people do 80 - 100 miles a week, and pros up to 130+ miles. So you have to take into account your level, how much experience you have, the terrain and elevation of the race, and reverse engineer it from there. And as to where to start, I guess as much volume as you can cope with without injury. Don't jump up too fast, but the quicker you can get the volume in, the better. Hope that helps 😊🙏

[@km2637]

@@ChrisBranch Thanks so much for the response. Best of luck with your training!

[@MegaTightMike]

I heard someone say ‘Don’t finish fast, finish fresh’.

[@ChrisBranch]

Love it! So true 🙏😊

[@Mohsenzamanii]

What race is the scences in your video about??

[@ChrisBranch]

There were quite a few different runs put into this video, but if you’re asking about the mountains, that was Ultra Trail Snowdonia - it’s beautiful! ☺️🙏

[@trimad6128]

How to donate?

[@ChrisBranch]

That's very kind, and not expected. But if you did want to, there's a little 'SuperThanks' button under the video that allows donations. Best of luck with your training 🙏

[@DewiWilliams-s6v]

You mentioned in your UTS 50k video from last year that you were going to do the 100k this year... so, are you in? See you there...?

[@ChrisBranch]

I'm in, but ... life has got busy with my day-job, and I'm deliberating over dropping down to the 50 (if I can find someone to swap). It's so hard, I _REALLY_ want to run the 100, but as I said in this video, I like to commit fully to the challenges I sign up to, and I'm not sure I have it in me to train properly with life being a bit more hectic than usual. I'm still pondering, and I will share my thoughts on this channel either way. I'm sure there's a lesson in here somewhere 😂🙏 Best of luck in your training, and say hi if you see me in Snowdonia 😊🙏