Can A Part-Time Ultrarunner Compete With The Pros At UTMB?

[@runningchannel]

↓↓ Would you take on an ultra race? Would UTMB be your dream or your nightmare? Let us know in the comments! ↓↓

[@DanRuns]

Absolutely I would. I'm running my second 50 miler next year

[@JonBagge]

Very inspiring video! Must confess OCC (56k) looks very tempting. With enough training I think I could squeeze through it. The biggest problem appears to be actually getting a place at the start line.

[@duckyluver12]

Absolutely! I'm not there yet but ultras look incredible. Working on my marathon right now.

[@micasmadness5065]

I would love to accomplish a UTMB. Never done an ultra, but something I’m starting to train for:-)

[@hairyairey]

Apparently everyone who entered the Brighton Marathon this year completed an Ultra!

[@SHFT101]

“Do more than just exist”… That is a proper quote to start a new week and do some serious running!

[@hairyairey]

"To make much of time" - Robert Herrick. I have come that you might have life and life to the full - Jesus of Nazareth.

[@ianwarner8469]

Emotional. Live like it's all over tomorrow. Ran my first Ultra Race yesterday at 57 with wonky knees. I needed this. ❤

[@runningchannel]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Ian!

[@TrebleCreator]

Congrats!!!

[@xXstrAnGeR0usXx]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@andersonteo4879]

"Do More Than Just Exist" What a strong statement ! The motivation behind her endeavour is just incredible. Very moving.

[@EngineeringMindset]

👏👏👏 This was so good, really makes me believe I have the ability to do an ultra. Meryl looked so fresh at the end, amazing effort.

[@01lesscar]

You really can :) go get it!

[@chrisjones5192]

What an inspirational woman, signed to my first marathon and ultra next year.

[@Kelly_Ben]

Wow... what an amazing woman. A new name to add to my list of inspirations! Like Meryl, I went from casual runner to ultra runner in a year, and completed my first marathon and ultra in the same race. I, however, do NOT have a high level athlete inside me, but my motivation is similar... I want to truly live this life, and not just survive it. My goal is the Glen Coe Skyline in 2022... after less than 2 years of serious training. I'm going to rewatch this video when my faith and courage slip. Best wishes to Meryl on her journey to the top!!

[@runningchannel]

Best of luck at Glen Coe Skyline. I was going to direct you to our video from last week about Black Trail Runners on Ramsay's Round, to give you a taste for it but I think you've already seen it :-)

[@Kelly_Ben]

@@runningchannel I just finished part 2 yesterday, it was wonderful! Thanks... I just have to remember I'm a far way from ready NOW, but the race isn't tomorrow!

[@daniel11902]

“Do more than exist”. That quote really hits home. Outstanding video guys.

[@damu6678]

That was really, really good. Much better than I thought it would be - well done!

[@Itsmebuddy98]

This was an incredible video! Thanks so much for sharing, Meryl is absolutely amazing! I signed up for my first ultra a few months ago (might be a bit ambitious), very excited to give it a go and see what happens!

[@Mikeandthedyslexicunicorns]

Well done, thought it was brilliant, enjoyed every minute! I’m fired up and motivated..”Do more than just exist” is what I will be repeating to myself while running during my first ultra marathon next weekend! 👍🏼

[@tommytp85]

Had a little cry at the end. What a beautiful video and wonderfully presented.

[@runningchannel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@GG-qy9cg]

What amazing & strong woman, and such a lovely tribute to her friend. Awesome inspirational video. Makes you want to grab your trainers and get outside. good luck to Meryl , I hope you become the worlds best ultra runner .

[@n89Outdoors]

Watching with 3 broken foot bones and a plate holding one of them together. It’s been 7 weeks, my first ultra would have been Sept 11, I need to keep positive since I won’t run again until March next year 😣 so keep the inspiration coming please! ❤️

[@richardantrobus7186]

I'm in the same boat! although rehab starts in October so seeing the time off my feet as a chance to work on the core and improve my diet. Anything to keep going as you say!

[@n89Outdoors]

@@richardantrobus7186 I’m trying the same, but it’s hard to stay motivated.

[@derrunn3r613]

UTMB, definitely a dream! What a strong video, very inspirational, very touching, great story-telling. And a very strong quote at the end, _do more than just exist_

[@runningchannel]

Glad you enjoyed it! We have more like that coming soon that you'll hopefylly enjoy too.

[@clairhardywynn5620]

Truly inspirational ….. do more than just exist ……… 🙌🙌 xx

[@benrumallari3335]

Love running channel. I'm 78 still running

[@runningchannel]

That's amazing! Go Benru :)

[@ToBeAlive2023]

Totally touched and inspired by Meryl. Please feature more of her in your videos and really hope to see her on the podium in CCC soon.

[@runningchannel]

Thanks David. Meryl is always welcome to appear in our videos, she is an inspiration!

[@estherstanier8842]

So inspiring! I saw Meryl finish the Lakeland Trails 100k this year, absolutely brilliant!

[@runningchannel]

Glad to hear you like it Esther.

[@waynewylie7497]

This is fantastic what an inspiring film and a nice tribute to her friend Sarah.

[@runningchannel]

Glad you enjoyed it Wayne, it was a great film to work on.

[@jimc5000]

Superb vid and has so motivated me for my training this week…the views on that race just looked beyond stunning

[@hmunoz314]

such a badass mindset to have!! congrats!

[@simonartuch5491]

What a beautiful quote.And awesome running ,Very inspiring Miss Cooper❤️

[@runningchannel]

Thanks for watching Simon!

[@alan_oz]

Such an inspiring video with great coverage and I appreciate the effort to make it. A great story and I love the focus on an individual athlete.

[@fatrunner]

Wow, just an amazing video. The production values, music and content just incredible. Well done Meryl, you are fantastic. ❤️

[@Seby-biketrial]

very inspirational !!! you speak from your soul

[@bernong1]

An inspiring video. Fantastic job. Really loved it, the interview, the storyline, the images of the scenery, the emotional story.

[@davidarana3232]

That really hit me at the end. I stopped the video on that last quote and left it there.

[@arashkhalili1391]

I really enjoyed this. Do more of ultra pls :)

[@runningchannel]

More Ultra content coming soon Arash, thanks for watching!

[@pyrophilia2645]

Such a damn inspirational video! 👏

[@avinashbhogun]

Very insightful and kinda puts things in some sort of perspective... I will remember on my next outing. Thanks.

[@amandinelevecq6664]

Wow, I can recognize myself in what she is saying at the beginning of the video... I have the same inspiration since a few month ago now. I am 29 years old and I want to become one of the best ultra runners in the world. I still have a lot of work ahead, I am working on my first half-marathon 😅

[@julietaandr]

Super motivated video!! Thank you! I loved it!

[@Matt_Kraczon]

Wow! That was an excellent production and even better story.

[@runningchannel]

Glad you enjoyed it Matt.

[@snuffleupagusish]

What an amazing, inspirational and emotional video. ❤️

[@runningchannel]

Thanks Amanda, we're really proud of how it turned out.

[@priscilladitoma6381]

So inspiring! Thank you for this amazing video.

[@mr.vandecar3826]

That was a great watch.

[@1supertec]

Superr impresive run dude 👍

[@alasdairduncan8264]

What a great video and what a fantastic athlete, great to see how she goes in the future 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[@runningchannel]

We agree! Big up Meryl!

[@drhayleytrower]

Beautiful film, thank you. I feel inspired to run an ultra some day ✨

[@emmaeyles7060]

Amazing video. Thank you. 'Do more than just exist' ❤❤❤

[@runningchannel]

It's a pretty good motto for life, we feel?

[@robhume5461]

Very cool film, and an inspiring story

[@springbok7902]

Brilliant!!! Would love to run an Ultra

[@jamstaa69]

Meryl.. absolutely fantastic story, well done on your truly earned success, a true insperation.. and hope you progress to achieve your goals. Running in Chamonix is my dream, and; thanks to my crumbling body, think i'd only ever be able to do the CCC.. crossing my fingers for one day. Just need to reverse whatever is happening to my running fitness over the passed 2 years.. get the old body back to run shape. ps: can I borrow your legs.. I can't believe you looked that fresh at the end of that distance. 🙌 Nice Video Running Channel!

[@ronantighe]

Amazing video both in terms of content and production.

[@runningchannel]

Thank you very much Ronan 🙂

[@snaggycheesehead4065]

This video has motivated me to start back running.

[@runningchannel]

That's great to hear!

[@IVIyCHiveee]

Amazing video, thank you so much for the inspiration

[@runningchannel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@reaganmaggs6426]

Crikey what an amazing achievement truly awe inspiring x

[@runningchannel]

It really is. Meryl is a star!

[@pepperminttea2460]

I certainly wasn’t crying through most of this…. 🥲 ❤️

[@runningchannel]

Just chopping onions, yeah?

[@pepperminttea2460]

@@runningchannel yeah… sure… the onions, that’s it!! Chopping all of the onions, those darned onions 😂

[@Leeroy49]

Do more than just exist... thank you for sharing

[@nateskodi6478]

Amazing story, very well done!

[@runningchannel]

Glad you enjoyed it! We're so pleased to see the reaction this piece has received.

[@PanchoGati]

You rock! Keep it up!

[@robertmorton8876]

Inspiring, what an athlete.👏👏👏

[@tomb2289]

Awesome progression, so impressive. And doing her friend so proud too, very moving ♥️

[@michaelgoode9555]

Wonderful Meryl, wonderful. I hope that you don't mind if some of us borrow your mantra and try to do more than just exist? I shall remember where I got this from every time I need to use it.

[@shemhaque2758]

wow what a machine. fantastic effort

[@runningchannel]

Meryl is superhuman!

[@davidrowan193]

What a great video, and mantra “ do more than just exist “

[@JustOneWolf]

this was great!

[@colinsoppitt4316]

Amazing Job Meryl!! You are a massive inspiration to me and all of zoom run!

[@leeadams2413]

No words. Brilliant will have to do

[@runningchannel]

Thanks Lee! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@pogpoggle]

Wonderful! Inspiring and a new mantra. #domorethanjustexist

[@davidcallan7844]

Amazing 🤘😎🏃‍♂️

[@markdean1768]

Stepping up to ultras. Have a 20-miler in mind for February (That's within my range now). After that, I have a 50K ready by this time next year. Baby... er, jogs?

[@runningchannel]

Ha! Yes, baby jogs would be very appropriate here. Good luck with it Mark.

[@daveconvoy5793]

Brilliant. Only snag is Oman’s not in the UAE😃

[@andRROYD]

Amazing Meryl! Very inspiring person indeed! Kudos!

[@runningchannel]

Thank you so much!

[@sebastiaanscheffer1395]

Inspiring!

[@willyyonas5064]

powerful! love it

[@proudlyindian001]

Loads of love from India 😍😙😙😙

[@faithwebster4802]

Amazing

[@yungthunder2681]

Answer to the title: No. Probably not. It takes years of consistent training After watching the video: this title was very misleading. She is not an amateur at all, she's as professional as most "pro" trail runners. Also, she's not even in the premier race of this event.

[@Bonboy2012]

Yea! She’s one of the best ultra runners in Britain… very misleading title Still a great watch though

[@stuartthurstan]

Going to be taking my first tentative steps towards ultra running in just a few weeks doing the 31km Ultra Trail Lago Orta. Of course that distance isn't true ultra running but coupled with the 1720 metres of elevation gain, I'll be well and truly out of my running comfort zone. Just kids stuff compared to Meryl though. This video was not only enjoyable but very inspirational. Looking forward to my challenge even more now.

[@nh6central]

Anything over 42kms is a true ultra distance though. I'm dipping my toes in to a 50k in February and if I make it will be doing a 165km the following year. Good luck (p.s. amazing video Running Channel ;)

[@roustabout4fun]

yes...if she really desires to do so.

[@AncoraImparoPiper]

I would love to train for a UTMB but I live in Australia and there are few suitable places to train. I wish I lived in Scotland!

[@runningchannel]

I know a few lads freezing up in Edinburgh right now that will swap with you Darius!

[@AncoraImparoPiper]

@@runningchannel more than happy to oblige haha!

[@humbertoortiz8820]

Si alguien, de buena Fe me puede ayudar en que modelo de Sapatilla debo usar para correr en la montaña ⛰ peso 78. Kilo y mido 1.83. Saludos Santiago Chile

[@Lalo_Runs]

Chills

[@runningchannel]

Would you ever consider an ultra run?

[@markg99]

What an amazing video and a fantastic lady.

[@runningchannel]

Thanks Mark, we agree with you!

[@joycelivingston5119]

❤️❤️

[@anabela7887]

💪👊

[@discopot]

What does CCC mean ?

[@runningchannel]

Hi Stuart. CCC is short for Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix. It's sometimes referred to as UTMB®'s “Little Sister”- a 100 km trail race that runs over the second half of the UTMB® course, from Courmayeur, Italy to Champex, Switzerland and finishing in Chamonix, France.

[@cac7865]

Be great if it were longer as that was really interesting

[@BenWatkins]

Sponsored by inov?

[@AleksandarBosnjak]

There are no pros in this sport . Anyone who has mental strength and physical condition on a top lvl can do it. Why no pros, cuz you dont preform punches, fast combinations in any perspective and no use of ball or any object for which you need tens of years of hard consistent training.

[@timeonfeet]

A lot of food for thought here and good nuggets to get you through long and tough training cycles. Thanks for sharing.