{"id":29605,"date":"2018-06-21T09:51:18","date_gmt":"2018-06-21T01:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/?p=29605"},"modified":"2018-06-21T18:14:25","modified_gmt":"2018-06-21T10:14:25","slug":"how-to-run-your-first-singapore-ultramarathon-and-survive-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/training\/how-to-run-your-first-singapore-ultramarathon-and-survive-it\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Run Your First Singapore Ultramarathon and Survive it"},"content":{"rendered":"

While the entire nation of Singapore is still talking about the first summit meeting held between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean head of state Kim Jong Un, there were plenty of athletes more worried about training for the 2XU Singapore Ultramarathon<\/a>, scheduled for 6 October 2018, than focused on diplomacy. <\/p>\n

Why think about this event so early? Because it\u2019s never too early to start preparing for this daunting challenge. <\/p>\n

If you happen to believe in early preparation, good for you! If you\u2019re just thinking about participating\u2014especially if you\u2019ve never run an ultra before\u2014you\u2019ve got your work cut out for you. Even if you excel at running regular marathons, an ultra is a whole new ballgame. <\/p>\n

To help you meet the challenge, we offer 8 tips culled from advice put forth by ultramarathoners who know that strategising and planning<\/a> is the secret to finishing. Will you cross that finish line in October? Follow these tips to increase your chance! <\/p>\n

1. Identify your motivation<\/h2>\n

The reasons people run ultras are so diverse, the list could go on forever. The most important thing you can do to prepare for your first ultra is to ask yourself, \u201cWhy am I doing this?\u201d<\/em> Think hard. Your answer is likely to solidify your motivation, so you participate with even more enthusiasm, no matter how exhausted you become. <\/p>\n

2. Prioritise safety<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s no reason to cut corners when you train or run your ultra. If you do, things likely won\u2019t turn out well for you. It can be easy to push through warning signs because you have acknowledged up front that suffering is part of the ultra experience, but never ignore pain, sleep deprivation, training set-backs and potential hazards in hopes they will \u201cdisappear\u201d by October. They may not. <\/p>\n

3. Prepare your mind<\/h2>\n

Whomever said that surviving an ultra by conditioning alone probably never ran one! You need to feed your brain. Watch competitors at other events. Read books. Be curious. Sometimes, the most insignificant experiment can turn into the discovery that means the difference between quitting and finishing. Don\u2019t undertake this huge commitment on your own, either. Friends, family and running buddies make the best training allies because they want you to succeed.<\/p>\n

\"How
Photo Credit: 123RF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Use tricks of the trade<\/h2>\n

Prioritise these suggestions to make sure you\u2019re in the best shape possible: <\/p>\n