Book it first, then train for it

On and off for most of my life. I've never had any professional coaching or guidance, and there have been periods where I haven't run for weeks at a time. Running has always been something I've come back to rather than something I've followed with a strict structure.

For me, it's the mindset that running creates. It's never about competing with anyone else; it's about challenging yourself. Everyone is different, so comparing yourself to others doesn't achieve much. I also enjoy the peace and clarity that running brings. No matter what's going on in life, a run usually helps put things into perspective.

When I was younger, I naturally had a good level of fitness and enjoyed being active. Now, at 46, running helps me stay fit, manage stress, and keep challenging myself. It constantly tests both my physical ability and my mindset, which is something I really value.

I run in support of the Burnt Chef Project. The charity is dedicated to improving mental health within the hospitality industry by raising awareness, providing education, and offering support to hospitality professionals who may be struggling. They work to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and create a more positive and supportive culture across the industry.

Hospitality is an industry I'm passionate about, so supporting a charity that focuses on the wellbeing of the people within it feels very meaningful. If raising money can help someone access support when they need it most, then it's a privilege to be able to contribute in some small way.

No. I signed up and focused on training rather than entering other races. However, I completed the 100km Thames Path Ultra last year, which gave me a good understanding of how my body and mindset would react over that distance. That experience definitely helped when preparing for the 100km Jurassic Coast Ultra.

Without doubt, the support. Everyone is out there asking themselves similar questions: "Can I finish?" and "Please don't let me get a DNF." Along the route, people encourage each other, help each other through difficult moments, and celebrate each other's successes. Helping someone keep moving when they're struggling is one of the best parts of an ultra. The organisation was also outstanding. The people behind the event deserve a huge amount of credit. The aid stations were incredibly well stocked, the route was clearly marked, and everything felt designed to give runners the best possible chance of success. That said, whoever decided to put 5km of beach near the end of the course is an evil genius!

Honestly, I don't really have any negatives. The event is so well organised that it genuinely feels like they do everything possible to set runners up for success.

I fell over at around the 40km mark and badly bruised both knees and my elbow. What surprised me most was that it barely hurt during the race. The pain only really arrived once I had finished. The body's ability to adapt and keep moving when it needs to is pretty incredible.

My feet held up surprisingly well. I only developed one blister, which I taped up properly at the 58km aid station before changing my socks. The sock change felt amazing at that stage of the race. One thing I made sure of before race day was that my trainers were fully worn in. I think that's incredibly important and made a big difference.

Funnily enough, my elbow! Mainly because I'd landed on it when I fell and it was heavily bruised. The following day, my right knee was quite painful and walking wasn't easy, but thankfully it only lasted around four days and I avoided any major injuries.

Book it first, then train for it. A lot of ultra running is mental. Break the distance down into smaller sections and focus only on completing the next one. Before you know it, the kilometres start adding up and the finish line gets closer. I'd also recommend eating more than you think you need to. Your body needs fuel. During my first 100km ultra, I didn't eat enough and paid the price for it. This time, I fuelled properly and felt much stronger throughout the race. Finally, don't waste energy trying to run every hill. Walk the steep climbs, save your legs, and use that energy on the flatter sections and descents.

The most useful session was a 61km training run where I visited every Premier League football ground in London, starting at Brentford and finishing at Arsenal. It was a fantastic day and, more importantly, once I'd completed it, I knew I was ready for the distance, training should include fun challenges to make the distance easier. That said, no amount of training completely prepares you for the hills on race day!

I'd like to attempt a 100-mile race next. At the moment, the Snowdonia 100 Mile is the one that has caught my attention, so we'll see what happens.