Arc of Attrition pre race thoughts and tracking

Well just about Arc time. Been really stressful but not sure why. I have put a bit of pressure on myself pertaining to goals. That could be it but also my wife recruited me to do it for charity. The epilepsy charity Daisy Garland Foundation donated two seizure monitors to us so we’re returning the favor by raising a bit of money for them. Also my family is coming down which is great but stressful. I’ve also got a crew which is a great help but also a stress. Me rolling solo into a 100 is simple, no one else to worry about, deal with what is thrown at you with what you’ve got! 

Race start is Friday at noon, weather is looking decent and fortunately post storm. A big wind and rain storm is rolling through early Friday. Should hopefully give us some beautiful scenery and maybe leftover ocean swells. May actually take some photos! 

Goals. Ultimate goal is sub 24 hours. The main reason I’m back. I felt I was held up by working together with another guy last time, great experience but I’m faster. Lofty goal but I know I’m capable of it is 20 hours. Last year that got second place. It’s not fast in the grand scheme of things but considering the technicality and mud of the South West Coast Path it is fast. Need to stay consistent, no breaks, it’s just easy running. 

Never done a charity thing, seems like it should be something super challenging, maybe this is it?  Maybe it’s me being an introvert! I feel an obligation to perform, to finish. I’ll feel bad if I attempt to lay it out and DNF, which in other circumstances I would consider doing since I have finished this race before. Either way it’s a really good thing, so if you’re interested in donating here’s a link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/andy-is-running-100-miles-again?attribution_id=sl:40c31c96-bbf8-4d07-a9c3-37fc079feb34&lang=en_GB&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

Family is great, but adds a lot of stress before the race. It’s nice to be sleeping in your car or in a hotel room and have zero distractions. At bedtime I lay my minimal kit out in a pile and it’s seemingly all there is to focus on. My other bags are all packed. It’s quiet. That all being said I hope my wife and kids enjoy Cornwall while I’m running, it’s a magical place that reminds me of rural Northern California coastlines; laidback vibe, surfing, erratic weather. Love it. I get spectating an ultra with kids is a chore in itself so I don’t expect to see them much, especially with Colby easily getting car sick, but they’ll be at the finish. 

Crew is AWESOME but I never want to be a burden. The same guys who crewed me at the Arc in 2022 are doing it again. James is an old friend from NAU Cycling days in Flagstaff. He moved his family to Cornwall during Covid and have been here since, he’s not a runner but has swam the English Channel! Greg is a buddy I met during the Cotswold Way 100, we ran 60 miles together, we also ran the Cumbria Way this last summer over a few days. There are only four crewable aid stations but it’s a huge boost to see people you know even if it’s for a few minutes. Having spare clothes and gloves at Land’s End is nice to have an opportunity to get however as I mentioned, rolling solo you just deal with what you’ve got and move! Greg’s car broke down yesterday which has thrown a wrench in their plans but they’ll not only figure it out but make sure they are there for me. I told Greg if they can’t make the final two crew points no big deal, they are only 20 miles from the finish, but he’s said they’ll figure it out. These guys are going out of their way for me, it’s not easy chasing a runner around, and I’m truly grateful! 

Training has been different than in the past. I’ve done less long runs, mainly due to life getting in the way, but more faster workouts. Strength sessions were solid as always, if not more. Had a bought of illness and a huge life stress situation with my daughter’s epilepsy, then a minor injury scare. These things happen and you adapt. I’m planning on eating quite a bit more than in the past, upping calories by 50-100 per hour more, increasing in the past helped quite a bit, I’m not running hard per se so nothing too crazy but definitely more. Total calories will be maybe 350 per hour, 75-90 carbs per hour. So not sure how I’ll feel at 70 miles, you never know. 

That’s what’s up. Here’s the tracking:

I’m number 67. 

There is also an app you’ll see linked at the bottom of the page that is a convenient option. LiveTrail App. 

https://live.utmb.world/arcofattrition/2025

Official Race Guide:

https://issuu.com/utmbmontblanc/docs/aoa_runners_guide_2025_v1.2_07012025?ff

Well I’m in the taper period leading up to the Arc of Attrition. Had a bit of a scare with a quad strain so missed a couple biggish workouts. However the threshold sessions I had been doing were HARD! So, not too concerned I missed out, best to get to the start over rested versus over trained or worse not at all. The threshold workouts were really fun despite the difficulty, the kind of training that’s an accomplishment in its own right. We’ll see how it all translates to racing.

I did less long runs this training cycle, mainly due to life stress, Christmas, etc. I’m not too concerned but it is a step I missed out on. The speed work was the big change. I do feel less prepared, but I think I’m blowing the race up bigger than this. I need to take it laid back style leading up to it. That always seems to work. 

I blew out my shoe yesterday which was annoying. So, new shoes a week out from a race, oh well! Still need to get them ordered through work to save a bit of money. 

My friends James and Greg are going to crew again which is cool. Very different this time though, crew is only allowed at 4 checkpoints and only one person is allowed. Kind of lame, seeing your crew is a lot of fun, but we’re on UTMB rules now. Everything is stricter, more professional, and much less flexible and laid back. Kind of a turn off on their events actually! I don’t think I’ll do another UTMB event, it’s expensive and much less personal. Another negative is the ridiculous amount of required kit. Ugh, it’s just running! 

Ridiculous kit requirements 

A couple positives I guess are that the race course is now marked, in the past you had to navigate, and this year there are 10 I think aid stations, pre-UTMB race directing there were only 4! 

We had a cold snap recently and I was fortunate enough to get out early, loved it!

So yeah, taper time it is. Nothing I do now will make me faster so all I have to do is maintain a little bit of mileage and recover from the past months of training.  

If you’re bored here’s a link to the race “runner’s guide,” pretty sure the link will work.

https://issuu.com/utmbmontblanc/docs/aoa_runners_guide_2025_v1.2_07012025

I’ll hopefully do another post for race day tracking but the key app is called LiveTrail, there’s already info up on it but this page will have a link to it. 

https://montblanc.utmb.world/races-runners/other-information/LiveTrail 

One last thing, I’ve entered a lottery! Zegama-Aizikorri is in Basque Country, northern Spain. It’s a marathon in the mountains. I’ve got very little chance of getting in but my buddy Greg encouraged me to try, watch this video and you’ll see why it’s worth it!