3 Best Trail Running Races In The World

There’s a good reason as to why ultra trail runs are getting to be more renowned over the year. There is something concerning the call of the wild in which makes you out of your head, and motivates you to test out your limits.

It doesn’t matter how much you like big-city marathons, keeping track of cracks on the sidewalk won’t ever quite compare well to racing through canyons and streams in the forests. There is something regarding running in the wild- the landscapes, the range of terrain- which simply breeds camaraderie.

Regardless of whether you’re racing from the mountains of British Columbia or the Hawaiian jungle, an ultra trail run provides an extreme, life-changing experience, a break out of the rat-race, and a new point of view in the world, completely mixing a love for intense sports with an interest for the outdoors.

Ultra Trail Cape Town

At last the option to run an ultra in the mountains surrounding CapeTown has come to fruition. The only race of its kind that takes place on, andaround, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World – Table Mountain. High altitudes are not a factor, but variable terrain, the chance of testy weather and technical ascents make this a superb challenge underfoot. Glorious sea-, city- and mountain-vistas, produce an extra challenge when keeping eyes on the terrain is a better idea than taking in the enticing scenery.

Ultra Trail Mount Fuji

The natural beauty of running 168km around Mount Fuji is a pleasant surprise to many who may not have included it as an automatic choice as one of the races to do before you hang your ultra shoes up for good. The well-manicured mountain trails, footpaths, and roads link up for an fantastic course. Beware the rain though as things can notch up quickly on the difficulty factor as underfoot conditions turn to mud. Mount Fuji itself and the whole Japanese experience make this a not-to-be-missed race for any ultra trail runner.

Ultra Trail Torres Del Paine – Patagonia Chile

South America delivers on adventure in such a big way and at the Southern tip of the continent you can take part in a race with one of the most unique backdrops you’ll ever be fortunate enough to experience. The racing takes runners through ‘bonsai’ forests, past glaciers, alongside incredible turquoise colored lakes, and most impressively, under the majestic Torres Del Paine peaks. An experience to savor.

The Best Eating Plan For Running An Ultra Marathon

If you’re looking for information on best eating plans for ultramarathons, you have landed at the right place. The below article will discuss various eating plans recommended by well-known athletes who have run and won a number of ultra marathons. So, sit back and follow the steps mentioned below in order to create your own eating plan for finishing that ultramarathon.

An ultramarathon is not only a test of your physical endurance but also your mental well-being. Therefore, you need to be prepared mentally as well as physically in order to endure the experience of running an ultra marathon. Ideally, you should always eat a well-balanced diet at all times and exercise on a regular basis in order to remain fit. You need to be well prepared for running 50 miles can make things a little more complicated.

Before running an ultramarathon, it is important that you are well prepared and have trained for the race to make sure you’re able to finish the race and still go to work the next day. You not only need to train your legs to go the distance but you also need to prepare your stomach to eat while running an ultra in order to get the energy your body will need.

You also need to realize that everyone is different which means an eating plan that works well for your friend may not be the best for you. Therefore, you need to experiment and try several different foods in order to make sure you give your body has the required energy it needs. For instance, your body might not respond well to an energy gel halfway into the race if you have never tried it earlier.

Some runners love to carbo load with something like instant porridge. This was the thought pattern around endurance nutrition for a while, but now with the many anti carb diets and thoughts around wheat this is changing.

The best way to prepare your eating plan is to do some test runs with different types and amounts of foods. These test runs are a great way to try several different kinds of foods as you are not under pressure and should be able to try a variety of foods at a variety of intervals to figure out the combination that works best for you.

Another important thing you need to keep in mind is that you also need to time your calorie intake in order to make sure your body always has the required energy. Experts recommend setting a timer and consuming 100 to 200 calories at hourly intervals to satisfy your caloric needs. You may experiment with different intervals in order to find the right interval for your particular needs.

While eating is extremely important, you also need to hydrate while running an ultra marathon. Do not forget about salt as it is very important. You will lose a lot of salt in the form of sweat while running an ultra, especially if you are running on a hot day and it needs to be replaced. Keep in mind that drinking lots of water without an adequate amount of salt may lead to hyponatremia. It’s recommended to supplement with salt pills along with water.

Overall, the trick is to find a food source that has the right amount of carbs, protein, and fat in order to make sure you are able to digest it without too many issues. The first thing you need to do is eat breakfast on a daily basis in order to jumpstart your metabolism. Make sure you always have a nutritious meal as a lunch. By packing your own lunch, you will not only be able to save some money but you will also be eating a lot healthier.

You should also keep a lot of fresh foods in your refrigerator instead of packing it with high-fat convenience foods. You need to develop a long-term healthy eating plan in order to prepare your body for the stresses of running an ultra marathon.

 

The Cape Town Ultra Marathon Is A Bucket List Ambition Of Many Runners

Those who enjoy running have a level of passion for it that is rarely found in other sports or forms of exercise. They rarely preach the benefits of it; they just know them and enjoy them. From personal experience of having gone running many times, they understand how powerful the endorphins are when they kick in, and they love the power and speed with which they are able to cover long distances. Those that run almost every day rely on their runs to zone out from the burdens and stresses of their life, leaving their negativity pounded into the ground one step at a time.

It gets to be enough that they want to see how fast they can go, but also how far they can go. Many start doing 5k races, moving up to 10k events, then half marathons, and even full marathons. These grueling 26-mile races have yet to be finished in under two hours, but major events draw tens of thousands of racers who love getting the number, being a part of the crowd and crossing the finish line.

The Cape Town ultra marathon is a bucket list ambition of many runners. This race is famous internationally but always held in Cape Town, South Africa. The annual event is always held the Saturday immediately preceding Easter Sunday. This 35-mile marathon is the primary race, although there’s also a half marathon event accompanying it.

Racers from around the world love it because it winds through some of the gorgeous scenery of the peninsula. Many who have never visited Africa imagine it all being rain-forest, savanna, or desert, but in truth, it is the world’s second largest continent in size, and the county of South Africa at the bottom end is one of the rare places on the continent to have temperate climates. Nothing stands between the coast of the Cape and the continent of Antarctica to the south, Australia to the east, and South America to the west, save of course thousands of miles of endless ocean.Being able to spend a day running this route, with the contrast of epic African beauty and the endless ocean is an experience like no other, and the air smells differently here than anywhere else in the world, especially when you’re gasping for air in the second half of the race and breathing hard just to keep going.

Those flying in from elsewhere in the world should plan on long trips to get ready for the race but also to have time to recover from it. Depending on how many time zones are crossed, there can be serious jet lag that might dictate several days to recover from. Acclimating to the climate is also an adjustment, especially if someone comes from the opposite season in the northern hemisphere. After the race, wait a few days to recover before traveling again, as Cape Town is worth exploring as a tourist, albeit a sore one.