Backyard is one of the roughest things I've ever been a part of!
So here we are talking about a real running party!
I signed up for Backyard Ultra in Stavanger the day before and thought "oh oh what have I done?"
It was, after all, a total of 80 km according to the information about the race. The starting shot was supposed to go off at 10:00 a.m. that day 1 October and if you lasted the whole race you would finish around 22:00. Okay, how do you prepare for something like that? What about food and drink? When should I start eating? How long a break should I try to get? between the 12 rounds? What about clothes and change? How many - and which pairs of shoes? Okay, no stomach for this here comes the "recipe" that worked for me.
I started the day with a good hearty breakfast and in familiar raceday style, oatmeal was on the menu. I dressed in tights, thin wool socks, thin long-sleeved baselayer and windbreaker. I didn't do any clothes changes in ila the 12 hours apart from a couple of changes of socks. I used the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 and am very satisfied with the choice of shoes as they were extra kind to my legs which only swelled more and more with each lap. I tested Vj Maxx for a round though it was completely wrong for the feet at that time (round 6). They required too much energy on asphalt and gravel, however did the trick in the terrain. As the trail consisted mostly of gravel, I needed the support I was used to and slipped into it Saucony faster than fastest to the 7th round. VJ Maxx are beautiful all-terrain shoes! It just has to be said. But start preferably in them and only drive pure off-road trails - What a grip!
When it comes to food during the race, please start as soon as possible with the intake of nutrition. I already started after the second round of bread slices. I ate everything from 1/2-1 slice of bread + chocolate, nuts, bars and banana afterwards every single round. In addition, I drank water, cola, juice and energy drinks like that. Although it might not tempt with a slice of bread there at the very beginning, so I knew it was necessary to and not risk running out. A little stupid to start eating when it's "too late".
Time yes! I chose to run the lap(s) in 45 minutes so that I had a 15 minute break. It was perfect for me. Then got I have just enough time to go to the bathroom, eat, drink, chat with wonderful runners and, not least, sleep legs high without getting cold and stiff.
I will also write about the social aspects of the race. I was lucky to have a very good running friend with me. She registered on the same morning as the race haha! Spontaneous right?! We talk about everything between heaven and earth, round by round which meant that at least I forgot the time and place. Suddenly we were halfway there!! We agreed to run a little 4 rounds at a time tactics. We divided into 3 parts. Warm-up, main round and downhill jog. It works like just that! I've never run such a long warm-up or jog before, so it was a bit of fun! Eventually 2-3 other fantastically positive souls appeared who accompanied us for the rest of the race. We took good care and gave each other a lot of boozt along the way. Due to the magical team I became a part of, I did not meet the well-known one the basement before on rounds 11 and 12. But then it was just a matter of gritting your teeth and simply holding on! This should me and WE manage together!
- We did!
For a few crazy hours together in great weather! I couldn't be luckier and there is nothing I either should have been done differently. The plan worked and I am left with wonderful memories and new acquaintances! This I'm going to do it again and the best thing about it all is that you can choose to jump off the carousel whenever you want. You may have set different goals for the race. Maybe you want to push a certain distance or manage all 12 the rounds? Either way, it can't go wrong. Super arrangement!