The race that broke me | My first hundred-miler ... (attempt)

[@melaniebranch9852]

I'm so proud of you Chris, you worked so hard for 12 months preparing for this race. You did everything right and made so many sacrifices, which at times were almost too difficult to make. But you did it. The fact that the burglary happened only a week before, AND that the race was on the hottest day of the year, was just bad luck. So so proud of you, you did everything right in preparation. Well done for bouncing back so quickly and still managing to find so many positives in the outcome. Here's to the next 100 miles 🎉

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks Mel, I appreciate that. I couldn't have done it without an amazing wifey, of course 😘

[@markg99]

No wonder you struggled to eat after that traumatic experience at home. Glad to hear everyone is ok. The compounding factor of the heat was definitely one thing too many, and you did right to call it quits before things got worse. Best of luck in the track event 👍🏻

[@ChrisBranch]

Thank you, Mark, I really appreciate that. I hope your training is going well! 😊🙏

[@fatherdamo2]

Respect for trying it, 100 miles isn't for me yet... As mentioned before in one of your previous videos I DNF'd the recent UTMB50 after successfully doing it the year before. I just don't handle heat very well, probably due to extra body fat insulation! Anyway after that DNF, roll on six weeks later, one Thursday I looked at weather forecast, threw a days leave in for Friday and drove out to Llanberis and planned to do the same route unsupported... Just to prove to myself I was fit enough and that the heat and Sun that day was the reason. I did no taper, just 24 hours preparation, get food and kit together. Would bring my own snacks, source or carry water etc... I completed it in less than 12 hours in the fog, wind rain and mist, stuff I like running in, have trained in. There was no crowd cheering, no queues, no companions, no medals, no check points, no cut offs, no entry fee! it was so satisfying and plan to do more of them without planning, maybe a multiday one, just get out there and enjoy a long running day out. I will still do events with others , but would recommend one of these to you and others...

[@ChrisBranch]

Wow, this sounds a wonderful adventure! You've got me thinking, most races have their GPX files available to download on their websites, we could all be doing this! Just need an extra large pack for the food, but otherwise, why not?! Actually, how did you carry enough water?

[@fatherdamo2]

@ChrisBranch The Salomon bladder held 1.5l and had the 1l filter Salomon front bottle with another normal one... so I could carry 3.5l but probably most of the time I was carrying 2-2.5l at any point. There are plenty of streams/lakes so didn't run low on water at any point, especially in the first half, easy to keep water topped up. Weather helped me as it was cool and wet, so less hydration required. Research told me that the Eryri Cafe on top was open, so knew I had a water source at top and extra snacks if I required them. In the end I just used the toilets for a dry base layer change out of the rain. Do think I enjoyed it more as I didn't have to clock watch, chase cut offs, just enjoy the hiking and running. Really enjoyed the quietness of the trail in comparison, saw two people on the second ascent. I still had time to stop and chat to other hikers and other runners so it wasn't totally an isolated experience. Would recommend to all having a go at this. Might try a two day one next year, plan a stop at a bothy or bivvy down for a few hours to break the days up...

[@gingleb3792]

Great story good work. I’ve planned a utmb race as my first ultra I think I’ll then give this a go!

[@DevRunner]

Oh my! What a terrible thing to go through anytime! Of course that would change your minndset and physiology going into a race! Well done under trying conditions! As someone who just ran a track marathon and did film it for KZbin, i would love to see you go 400 laps! Keep pushing!

[@ChrisBranch]

Oh wow! I'll have a watch of your video. I'm really tempted to film the Track 100, but in the SDW100 when I hit survival mode, I hated also thinking about trying to make a video. In the track 100 I just want to get absorbed in it and not also worry about the video ... but I would also love to document the occasion. I'm torn!

[@dobiedogdebbie4859]

Your title is totally wrong! It didn't break you at all, it's made you so much stronger and taught you a lot about yourself ....,all the important stuff ! ❤

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, Debbie! I think you're right, I now look back on it with gratitude 😊🙏

[@tarkusvontortellini1877]

Mad respect man, the distance you covered is still incredibly impressive and you did the hard, but sensible, thing to call it quits when you knew you should. Glad everyone is ok after the break in.

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much 😊🙏

[@edwardtyrrell438]

As someone with IBS, I can relate to what you say; stress will certainly throw your digestion out. Kudos for still doing a crazy long run, though.

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much. Reflecting back on it, it was still a good day out running. It just hurt at the time because it was so far off my target. We live and learn though, and I'm back on track now :)

[@paulforder3037]

Hi Chris, thank you for your video’s, I’m lovin the content. Sometimes the day doesn’t go as we planned but the learnings are often more valuable. And 100 miles on foot is just such an enormous goal not only physically but mentally. Looking back and assessing your weeks run up to the event I think you came to the right decision

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, I appreciate that 🙏😊

[@philipantoni679]

First of all, it's very nice that you finally brought a new video to us! Your analysis in the end is a very special part in your videos...nice and deep and honest style. I'm not sure about how you should make this part more visible in the title, but that's something "unique" that makes you special. People should know about that, because people can learn from your experiences as they understand what helped you and what made you suffer. I would be scared to just walk 160km, but we never know 😅 maybe in some years I read the same book and got lots of inspiration out of your experiences. Your learnings were some very important ones after all! I know this feeling, when you cannot absorb the water or food the way it should be...it feels like you don't get enough fuel, while fueling well 🤷‍♂️ next time this happens, I will reflect my emotional well being 😉 I'm looking forward to a lot of "usual" running content with your unique style of analysis in the end 👍

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, Philip! I think I have broken my drought with this video and I have a few more up my sleeve to get out soon. And thank you for your assessment of my style. To be honest, one of the reasons I make these videos is to learn myself, and I like having a good ponder about my training and races - I think I learn as much as you guys! 😂 I'll keep on sharing the journey, and good luck with your training in the meantime 😊🙏

[@Kelly_Ben]

Congratulations on a hard fought 50 miler! Maybe not the A goal, but still incredible. I'm so glad you're all safe. Ultras are just as much mental as physical, so having such worry heavy in your mind and heart certainly added a huge component of difficulty to an already brutal challenge. Best of luck on your track race!

[@ChrisBranch]

This was the big lesson I took from this; we really are mind-body-spirit, and this is why big challenges like ultramarathons are so intriguing, we need them all to come together to achieve our goal. I'm getting excited/nervous for the track100 already - 8-weeks to go! 😊🙏

[@irunoffroad]

Quite an experience Chris. Congratulations on what you covered and good luck on the track. A positive take on your run is the way ahead. I was running/ spectating at Butser

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much for your comment! This was actually last year, so I redeemed myself on the track (I made a video about that too). Best of luck in your training 😊

[@irunoffroad]

@@ChrisBranch Oops but the sentiment is the same. I too post videos but more shorts that are bit sized

[@davidfunnell3083]

Sorry to hear about the break-in, but pleased you & your family were unharmed. All the best for the track event. That will be an interesting challenge.

[@ChrisBranch]

Hi David, good to hear from you! I'm excited about the Track100; it will certainly be a good test for the mind 😳😂

[@DawnNunes]

Well done. Just seen your 50km and will be rooting for you at uts... ive enetered the 100m . Great advice!

[@ChrisBranch]

Wow! Massive respect. The 165 TERRIFIES me! 😂🤦‍♂️ Good luck with your training 👊

[@DavidMusgrove]

Great video. Just did that run this year and mile35 aid station was similarly bothersome

[@ChrisBranch]

Congratulations for finishing! I have unfinished business with that race 😊

[@robrocketeer]

The race didn’t break you Chris. Mental state is such a key part of sports performance, and yours was compromised due to factors outside of your control. Amazing effort and glad you are looking ahead to future events :)

[@ChrisBranch]

Thanks so much, I appreciate that. The next ones are looming, so i'll be posting the journey soon 😊🙏

[@benlangford34]

Full respect 🫡 sir

[@ChrisBranch]

Thank you, Ben 😊🙏

[@reluctantfellrunner]

Your stressful experience makes me wonder how people in war situations cope. Best wishes on the next.

[@ChrisBranch]

You're right, I can't imagine. It must change their physiology so much. It's like Maslow's hierarchy of needs; if we are not safe, that becomes our primary focus. It also highlights what a privilege it is to have the choice to do these crazy things like try and run a hundred miles. You won't catch hunter gatherers doing anything so silly - they need to save their energy!

[@trailsandbeers]

If you can't eat you need to throw up and slow down. been there too many times, but once you throw up you can get going again... If you don't miss a cutoff time and you are not injured you just need to keep going... assuming the race is important enough. Really don't think I could do an ultra on a running track! good luck with that!!

[@ChrisBranch]

You're so right! I've learned a lot since this race, including in another DNF earlier this year. Basically, I need to toughen up! I need a new mindset of keep moving forwards, even if it's a walk. But this is why I love this sport - you learn so much about yourself 😊 🙏

[@TheMagicSauce]

Hot damn, son. I can barely do 15...

[@ChrisBranch]

Haha it was a toughie out there!

[@TheMagicSauce]

@@ChrisBranch I can only imagine.

[@Alex-fl2yh]

Ah damn, but it's good to know when to dnf instead of pushing and hurting yourself. There's nothing you can do. There's no switch turning off caring for the family. It's funny to me how everyone in these videos finds a different euphemism for spray sausage.