08/11/2026
Today's is on Zoe.
On her journey to running her first 50 miler, she signed up for a 12 hour endurance ultra. She had done the event other years - often simply treating it as a supported long run - but this year we decided to focus on a few specific pieces for the day. These anchors formed the basis of our race plan.
⚓️ Plan on being out there all day. As much value as a long run has, simply being out and moving on your feet for a prolonged periods of time is an important part of 50 mile training.
⚓️ Get in the miles. The plan was a minimum of 50k, but to stretch that higher if she felt good towards the end of the race.
⚓️ Practice all day fueling and hydrating. You can't do 50 miles on gels alone, but you don't know how your stomach will do on a breakfast burrito with refried beans until you've tried it (Zoe didn't, by the way. She ate PBJ, which is probably the safer option).
⚓️ Experience stops and starts. Zoe is going to have waking breaks and aid station stops during her race. The mental and physical skills of alternating running and walking and starting to run again on tired and heavy legs need practice.
Zoe nailed it. She covered 50km in grueling heat, staying fueled and hydrated, alternating running and walking, and kept the biggest smile on her face for 12 hours.
