Isn't running just AWESOME ... so many great great things to do and we never know what's gonna inspire us!! I once volunteered for a 24-hour track race, and I ended up logging the laps for the only 4 female runners from midnight until the finish at 9am, encouraging them, giving their milestones to the announcer for everyone to celebrate ... one of the best and most inspiring things I've ever done, I feel tears now just remembering it!! I would definitely love to try to run one one day myself, but like you I find myself drawn to the trails, being out in nature, and especially the mountains in summer. MY big big goal now, one that I'm nowhere near up to quite YET, is to do the Cortina 50k Trail (the Dolomites, Italy, also a UTMB event) with almost 2000m elevation gain ... I saw a video made by one of the competitors on youtube and instantly everything inside me shouted "I WANNA DO THAT!!" It's amazing how it motivates me every single day to get out there and run since I saw that video, double days even are no problem now, and everything I plan to do next year is with that in mind! So one more awesome year like this one I've just had and 🤞🏻🤞🏻I'll be ready for it by June 2025!! Your plans for 2024 sound just AWESOME too James, and super inspirational as well, so I can't wait to follow along and lend you plenty of support and encouragement for each one!!
Amazing Bev! Cortina 50k sounds like an incredible goal! Is that the Laverado trail race? I loved following Dan Whitehead's training for that event a few years ago. Really excited to hear about your journey for that race. 2000m for a 50k! You'll want to get super comfortable hiking with poles for an event like that. I'm sure you'll smash it!
That is AWESOME, I love it! Amazing volunteers make races truly special. Best wishes on your training! I had the same reaction to seeing a video on the Glenn Coe Skyline race in Scotland. 2025 is my goal too!
@@jamesday1 Ohhh gosh I guess yes it must be the Laverado Trail race, the video I saw just called it the Cortina Trail, but yes it must be that, and it's actually 2600m elevation gain😳 ... so even more work to do than I thought!!!😂💪🏻💪🏻 Thanks James I'll check out Dan's videos as well AND yes will have to tackle the poles for sure. I lived in the Dolomites for a year about 5 years ago, and it is absolutely one of the most breathtaking spots in the world , I was often moved to tears being out in nature there. AND I made some adorable friends there too!!
@@Kelly_Ben Ohhh I'm gonna look for that video too ... Very best wishes to you in your training too, ENJOY!!!! I'll look for you in that race come 2025!!!!
i'm not a runner atm but i want to, i didnt know ultramarathons were a thing until 2 days ago since i stumbled upon your youtube. you make them look so much fun with sightseeing and chill vibes. good luck on future runs ✨
After decades of running road 5/10ks, then getting older and no longer improving, I switched to ultras, and it completely changed EVERYTHING. Because of the higher intensity of road running, which I really didn't enjoy, I'd had zero desire to run longer than a half marathon. I skipped right to a trail 50k, and it was like learning a new sport- discovering new races, new training methods, gear, fueling, new distances for new PRs... I'm trying to run all the "odd" format races now and see what else I've been missing! There's a whole world out there off the roads, and as I'm closing in on 50, I'm actually excited to discover it and in love with running again! It'll be fun to watch you exploring it as well!
Amazing Kelly! It's great that you found ultras. I've got friends who were in a similar position and decided to stop running because they stopped improving. You'll have to let me know if you find any events that you loved. I'm always looking to be influenced into entering a new event.
Good stuff James! I love your approach that longer races don't have to be a sufferfest, super inspiring that you've been able to prepare well and enjoy them 👍
I'm definitely excited to see your experience in Kullamannen (as i've watched Marcus Kjellberg's Kullamannen documentaries as well), that one's on the bucket list for sure but i'm thinking the 100-miler might be a bit further past that "don't want to suffer" line than i care for, at least for now. Looks like you've got a very Scandinavian year ahead of you!
Thanks! I always thought the same about 100s but looking forward to taking on another! I'm planning on moving to Sweden in April so really looking forward to exploring some new events!
I did my first 100km mountain ultra through the French Alps in September and loved it! Now I’ve signed up for UTS 100 miler around Snowdonia, I’m not sure if I will be able to manage it, but I’m super excited for it 😊
We might meet at the Ultra Vasa and maybe even the Kullamannen next year. So inspiring to see your stuff here. Love your down to earth approach and race reports.
Thanks Edward! Working on a 2023 recap video right now. It is taking a lot longer than expected but aiming for something similar to my 2-year ultra journey video 🙂 Hopefully should be up before the end of the year.
Sweet choice of background music to this talk - inspiring atmosphere! Super fun to hear you're doing two Swedish races, looking forward to your videos of those! If you have some time to spend around doing ultravasan a tip is to drive just a bit further up road 70 and doing some hiking/running in Idre and Grövelsjön. Magical landscapes up there👍
Thanks Kristoffer! Cecilia and I are currently working on moving to Gothenburg which is a big part of the reason why I'm entering the Swedish races. Will definitely look into Idre and Grövelsjön. I'm definitely excited to explore more of Scandinavia. I've only been to Gothenburg and Tjörn so far.
@@jamesday1 Jaha vad roligt att du planerar att flytta till Sverige! Både min kusin och en av mina vänner träffade sina pojkvänner i England och de bor båda i Sverige nu sedan många år och trivs bra!
I'm very excited to follow your journey! Kullamannen seems to be brutal, with 2 nights and just 1 very short day during the 100 miles. I wish you good luck! I'll probably attempt my first ultra too next year :)
Thanks! Good luck with your first ultra! I'm sure you'll love it! Yeah, Kullamannen does scare me a bit. Took me 6 months to decide to enter but it should be an exciting adventure!
No mention of multi day ultra events there? Race across Scotland, Ring of Fire, Druids Challenge all in the UK. I REALLY love the idea of trail running in Sweden though 😊
I love the idea of a multi-day ultra, but from the little research I've done, they seem to be extremely expensive which puts me off a bit. I'm more tempted by races like Swiss Peaks 360 and Tor Des Gents - Might as well just get it over and done with 😂
@@StefanSager Amazing! I think it'll be a great first ultra. Not too hilly. Just need to make sure you're prepared for the night time running and the cold. I suspect you're pretty used to both of them living in Sweden!
I get more of a buzz knowing I've suffered and pushed myself further than I thought I could. But definitely makes me feel more anxious when I book the next one. Even 50k races I end up trying to chase the leaders... And I just end up suffering for most of it
Totally get the temptation to do that but I always end up taking the complete opposite approach. Must feel good though when you push it hard and finish strong.
Absolutely! I'm thinking about doing a whole video on my favourite Ultramarathon UA-cam channels and videos. The ones I mentioned in the video are: www.youtube.com/@MarcusKjellberg www.youtube.com/@lukewbarrett www.youtube.com/@goranwinblad
@@jamesday1 I'm hoping one day to be able to sit and have the confidence to say what you did about Ultras 🤣 Did the Hurtwood 50k 2 weeks ago, and I'm booked on the SDW50 in April and I'm absolutely dreading it 🤢 Why not have a look at the Grand slam of 50 mile events next year that would be a challenge in itself to do all those in the same year 💪🏻
Amazing. Well done with completing Hurtwood! SDW50 is a great race. Just focus on getting your pacing strategy right and you'll do great! I love the idea of doing a grand slam.
Isn't running just AWESOME ... so many great great things to do and we never know what's gonna inspire us!! I once volunteered for a 24-hour track race, and I ended up logging the laps for the only 4 female runners from midnight until the finish at 9am, encouraging them, giving their milestones to the announcer for everyone to celebrate ... one of the best and most inspiring things I've ever done, I feel tears now just remembering it!! I would definitely love to try to run one one day myself, but like you I find myself drawn to the trails, being out in nature, and especially the mountains in summer. MY big big goal now, one that I'm nowhere near up to quite YET, is to do the Cortina 50k Trail (the Dolomites, Italy, also a UTMB event) with almost 2000m elevation gain ... I saw a video made by one of the competitors on youtube and instantly everything inside me shouted "I WANNA DO THAT!!" It's amazing how it motivates me every single day to get out there and run since I saw that video, double days even are no problem now, and everything I plan to do next year is with that in mind! So one more awesome year like this one I've just had and 🤞🏻🤞🏻I'll be ready for it by June 2025!! Your plans for 2024 sound just AWESOME too James, and super inspirational as well, so I can't wait to follow along and lend you plenty of support and encouragement for each one!!
Amazing Bev! Cortina 50k sounds like an incredible goal! Is that the Laverado trail race? I loved following Dan Whitehead's training for that event a few years ago. Really excited to hear about your journey for that race. 2000m for a 50k! You'll want to get super comfortable hiking with poles for an event like that. I'm sure you'll smash it!
That is AWESOME, I love it! Amazing volunteers make races truly special. Best wishes on your training! I had the same reaction to seeing a video on the Glenn Coe Skyline race in Scotland. 2025 is my goal too!
@@jamesday1 Ohhh gosh I guess yes it must be the Laverado Trail race, the video I saw just called it the Cortina Trail, but yes it must be that, and it's actually 2600m elevation gain😳 ... so even more work to do than I thought!!!😂💪🏻💪🏻 Thanks James I'll check out Dan's videos as well AND yes will have to tackle the poles for sure. I lived in the Dolomites for a year about 5 years ago, and it is absolutely one of the most breathtaking spots in the world , I was often moved to tears being out in nature there. AND I made some adorable friends there too!!
@@Kelly_Ben Ohhh I'm gonna look for that video too ... Very best wishes to you in your training too, ENJOY!!!! I'll look for you in that race come 2025!!!!
i'm not a runner atm but i want to, i didnt know ultramarathons were a thing until 2 days ago since i stumbled upon your youtube. you make them look so much fun with sightseeing and chill vibes. good luck on future runs ✨
After decades of running road 5/10ks, then getting older and no longer improving, I switched to ultras, and it completely changed EVERYTHING. Because of the higher intensity of road running, which I really didn't enjoy, I'd had zero desire to run longer than a half marathon. I skipped right to a trail 50k, and it was like learning a new sport- discovering new races, new training methods, gear, fueling, new distances for new PRs... I'm trying to run all the "odd" format races now and see what else I've been missing! There's a whole world out there off the roads, and as I'm closing in on 50, I'm actually excited to discover it and in love with running again! It'll be fun to watch you exploring it as well!
Amazing Kelly! It's great that you found ultras. I've got friends who were in a similar position and decided to stop running because they stopped improving. You'll have to let me know if you find any events that you loved. I'm always looking to be influenced into entering a new event.
Thanks for posting James. All the best for the upcoming events. I'll look forward to seeing how you get on. 👍
Thanks Ed!
Good stuff James! I love your approach that longer races don't have to be a sufferfest, super inspiring that you've been able to prepare well and enjoy them 👍
Thanks Dan! Lets get those ultras booked in 🙂
I'm definitely excited to see your experience in Kullamannen (as i've watched Marcus Kjellberg's Kullamannen documentaries as well), that one's on the bucket list for sure but i'm thinking the 100-miler might be a bit further past that "don't want to suffer" line than i care for, at least for now. Looks like you've got a very Scandinavian year ahead of you!
Thanks! I always thought the same about 100s but looking forward to taking on another! I'm planning on moving to Sweden in April so really looking forward to exploring some new events!
wow that Sweden race sounds brutal but i'm sure will be an amazing challenge! Can't wait to hear all about it in the lead up :)
Thanks for following along Nic! Yeah, it's definitely a bit scary but at least it'll be an adventure 🙂
I did my first 100km mountain ultra through the French Alps in September and loved it! Now I’ve signed up for UTS 100 miler around Snowdonia, I’m not sure if I will be able to manage it, but I’m super excited for it 😊
Amazing! Good luck with UTS! It's a tough race but if you've already done a mountain 100km, you should be ready!
We might meet at the Ultra Vasa and maybe even the Kullamannen next year. So inspiring to see your stuff here. Love your down to earth approach and race reports.
Thanks Jacob! Definitely come and say hi if you see me there! Good luck with your races!
Looking forward to all the upcoming content 🙌
Thanks Edward! Working on a 2023 recap video right now. It is taking a lot longer than expected but aiming for something similar to my 2-year ultra journey video 🙂 Hopefully should be up before the end of the year.
Sweet choice of background music to this talk - inspiring atmosphere! Super fun to hear you're doing two Swedish races, looking forward to your videos of those! If you have some time to spend around doing ultravasan a tip is to drive just a bit further up road 70 and doing some hiking/running in Idre and Grövelsjön. Magical landscapes up there👍
Thanks Kristoffer! Cecilia and I are currently working on moving to Gothenburg which is a big part of the reason why I'm entering the Swedish races. Will definitely look into Idre and Grövelsjön. I'm definitely excited to explore more of Scandinavia. I've only been to Gothenburg and Tjörn so far.
@@jamesday1 Jaha vad roligt att du planerar att flytta till Sverige! Både min kusin och en av mina vänner träffade sina pojkvänner i England och de bor båda i Sverige nu sedan många år och trivs bra!
Väldigt coolt! Jag hoppas att din träning går bra!
I'm very excited to follow your journey! Kullamannen seems to be brutal, with 2 nights and just 1 very short day during the 100 miles. I wish you good luck! I'll probably attempt my first ultra too next year :)
Thanks! Good luck with your first ultra! I'm sure you'll love it! Yeah, Kullamannen does scare me a bit. Took me 6 months to decide to enter but it should be an exciting adventure!
No mention of multi day ultra events there? Race across Scotland, Ring of Fire, Druids Challenge all in the UK. I REALLY love the idea of trail running in Sweden though 😊
I love the idea of a multi-day ultra, but from the little research I've done, they seem to be extremely expensive which puts me off a bit. I'm more tempted by races like Swiss Peaks 360 and Tor Des Gents - Might as well just get it over and done with 😂
2nd ring of fire. Put a comment elsewhere. £215. Nice and easy
Welcome to Sweden 🤗 I'll be seeing you at Kullamannen!
Thanks Stefan! Definitely come and say hi if you see me there. Which distance are you doing?
It will be my first 100-miler 😅
@@StefanSager Amazing! I think it'll be a great first ultra. Not too hilly. Just need to make sure you're prepared for the night time running and the cold. I suspect you're pretty used to both of them living in Sweden!
I get more of a buzz knowing I've suffered and pushed myself further than I thought I could. But definitely makes me feel more anxious when I book the next one. Even 50k races I end up trying to chase the leaders... And I just end up suffering for most of it
Totally get the temptation to do that but I always end up taking the complete opposite approach. Must feel good though when you push it hard and finish strong.
Can you link some of the other creators you mentioned please
Yes pls I am interested in the creator names as well. Thank you
Absolutely! I'm thinking about doing a whole video on my favourite Ultramarathon UA-cam channels and videos. The ones I mentioned in the video are:
www.youtube.com/@MarcusKjellberg
www.youtube.com/@lukewbarrett
www.youtube.com/@goranwinblad
@@jamesday1 great idea!! I would love that video from you! Cheers James
Centurion 100 Grand Slam 😜
Very tempting! Although I'm glad I didn't do it this year. Seems like the conditions were pretty bad for the first 3 events!
@@jamesday1 I'm hoping one day to be able to sit and have the confidence to say what you did about Ultras 🤣 Did the Hurtwood 50k 2 weeks ago, and I'm booked on the SDW50 in April and I'm absolutely dreading it 🤢 Why not have a look at the Grand slam of 50 mile events next year that would be a challenge in itself to do all those in the same year 💪🏻
Amazing. Well done with completing Hurtwood! SDW50 is a great race. Just focus on getting your pacing strategy right and you'll do great! I love the idea of doing a grand slam.
Yeah dude! Sounds like someone’s already collecting stones for something…
Haha I promise you it's not intentional! I will run it one day though!
Love your down to earth videos about races and running! 🫶
Thanks! Really nice to get such great feedback!