As I crossed the finish line of the Maverick Lakes Osprey in September 2024, all that was left was elation. I was tired, I was sore, but I ran over that line with a smile across my face. Never mind the fact that for the first half of the run, we had been fighting through strong wind, heavy rain and steep, slippery hills to climb. No, all that was forgotten – I’d had an absolute ball and I knew then that I wanted more of it.
I’ve been running along trails for years, but I’ve never done trails like this. My usual trail running is around woodland, farmland and off canal towpaths. Not running up hills and navigating technical terrain. But I loved it, and I can’t stop thinking about it.
So here we are, I’ve finally clicked confirm and have entered the Mavericks Peaks 55km distance. I’m running my first ultra-marathon!
Using the Runna App for Training
Whilst I’ve dabbled in trail running, most of my racing has been on the road. I’ve completed two marathons, both on road. So whilst I’ve done longer distances, it does feel like a whole new ball game. Trails need more attention, there’s rocky terrain, mud, ascents, descents and a whole lot more to think about.
I’ll be using the Runna app (I’ve been a member for the last two years!), and I’m following a 16 week ultra plan. My weekly schedule currently includes:
- 3x runs (easy, speed/hills, long)
- 2x strength (upper body/lower body)
- 1x mobility
So yeah, the distance is a little daunting as I’ve never run further than a marathon, and the elevation also adds another challenge, but I’ve got a couple of races in between and I’ve had a good look through the plan so I know what to be expecting as the time goes on.
If you’d like to try a 2 week trial of the Runna app, you can use my code RUNNA1W5AK5U
The End Goal
Having never run this distance/elevation before, I don’t have a set time in mind. The main aim is to finish, and to avoid having to stop due to missing the cut-off times. Other than that, I just want to enjoy myself!
I’m hoping to share my training regularly on here so I can have something to look back on. I’ll also be sharing regular bits of content on my TikTok @runliftkt.
