A Journey into Multi-Day Ultramarathon Training
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Chapter 1: Embracing the Challenge
This training cycle is unlike anything I have previously experienced.
When I made the decision to celebrate my 60th birthday by signing up for "Six Days in the Dome," I recognized the craziness of my choice. I knew I would have to elevate my training to a whole new level. Training for a multi-day event, especially when much of it would be self-supported, is no simple task. This journey would undoubtedly differ from any other race I've tackled in my nearly ten years of ultramarathon training.
For around two months, I grappled with how to prepare for such a demanding event while managing my business, nurturing my marriage, addressing family dynamics involving aging relatives, and welcoming a new adopted family into our lives—all while striving to maintain my faith and uplift those around me.
If that sounds overwhelming, just imagine living it; that’s only a fraction of my daily reality.
As I delved deeper into crafting a training regimen, I began to realize I was missing the essence of this entire endeavor, which required a story and wasn’t strictly about running.
Section 1.1: My Running Backstory
Have you ever felt as though life was not unfolding as you had envisioned? That was my reality at 46—overweight, reeling from what I perceived as personal and professional failures, and returning abruptly to the U.S. after a stint in missionary work. I felt like a complete disappointment.
That was the starting point of my fitness journey in 2011.
As I shed the extra pounds and began to appreciate the mental benefits of running, I gradually regained the confidence to truly live again, rather than merely exist as a bitter version of myself.
Upon turning 50, having completed two full marathons and several half-marathons, I declared to my wife that I would run 50 miles on my 50th birthday. This idea stemmed from reading "Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance" by Bob Buford. It represented a symbolic marker that I was leaving behind the first half of my life and stepping into the next phase with strength.
Having never run farther than 26.2 miles, I understood the enormity of this challenge. However, I completed the 50-mile run on July 3, with my partner’s unwavering support, and I discovered a transformative word: Ultramarathon—a race longer than a traditional marathon.
What a dictionary cannot capture is the vibrant community that emerges in these events, composed of individuals pushing through their own "pain caves" together.
It was only this year, during a conversation with Melissa Londry on the "Living an Ultra Life" podcast, that I recognized how running has served as my therapy for reclaiming a will to live.
Section 1.2: The Therapeutic Nature of Running
Who would have thought that running would help me process my emotions and heal from past traumas? The various trails and roads I’ve traveled have allowed me to reframe and mend the mental scars that once left me feeling defeated and anxious.
This brief backstory sets the stage for my venture into "Six Days in the Dome" and the training plan I developed to prepare for this incredible six-day running experience, which I believe will lead me to even greater strengths in life.
Chapter 2: Crafting My Training Plan
How does one even begin to formulate a training regimen for a multi-day event? A simple Google search for "training for multi-day events" yields countless articles, but none seemed to align with my vision for this unique 60th birthday gift to myself.
I realized early on that this running experience transcends the physical realm. Over the six days in June 2024, I will evolve mentally and spiritually, impacting not only myself but everyone in my circle.
Thus, I couldn't limit my focus to physical training alone; I needed a holistic approach that addressed the different facets of my being.
One reason I run without headphones is that I want to immerse myself in my surroundings. I want to hear the rhythm of my footsteps, the ambient sounds, breathe in the fresh air, observe my environment, and fully experience the emotions that come with running an ultra-marathon.
I often say that undertaking an ultra-marathon can provide profound insights into life itself, encompassing its peaks, valleys, and the diverse experiences in between.
To prepare, I ran laps around a local high school track in the rain one Saturday. This exercise was designed to familiarize myself with the sensation of running repeatedly on a 400-meter track for hours—a task I had yet to tackle.
Little did I know that during this three-hour run, my training plan would begin to take shape. As I circled the track, the word “discipline” echoed in my mind.
I was confident in my physical training discipline, but I questioned whether I had the spiritual discipline necessary to navigate what lay ahead in the coming decades of life.
I crafted a physical training strategy that included several long outdoor runs and a few indoor track sessions to acclimate myself to artificial conditions.
Section 2.1: Finding Balance in Discipline
Having adapted two articles on multi-day event training to suit my goals, I utilized a 2017 Runner’s World article by Ben Hobson as a baseline and another from the Sri Chinmoy website for logistical insights.
However, I was still wrestling with the spiritual discipline needed for the upcoming challenge.
One evening, as I mindlessly scrolled through my phone, a revelation hit me: perhaps the key was to set aside my electronic distractions in the evenings for more meaningful pursuits.
The first week I tried this approach, I would come home and put my phone away until the next day. This coincided with a challenging 50K race in unfamiliar territory. Despite the physical and mental hurdles, I found spiritual elevation. The night before the race, I set my phone aside to read Scripture instead.
With these three areas of discipline integrated into my routine, I felt prepared to tackle any challenge. Everything about multi-day events hinges on these small, consistent disciplines.
Prioritizing foot care and monitoring my hydration and nutrition were crucial physical aspects. The mental battles I faced during the 2024 Swammie Shuffle 200 solidified my mental readiness for the upcoming six days.
The final piece of the puzzle was committing to spiritual discipline—resisting the temptation to conform to worldly distractions (like excessive cell phone use) and instead renewing my mind.
In just eight weeks, I will embark on my Six Days in the Dome adventure, eagerly anticipating the insights that will emerge from a training plan that embraces all dimensions of this incredible journey we call life.
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