A Testament to Resilience
After a busy 2022, I wasn’t sure what 2023 had in store. I wasn’t sure what I’d be training for, however I needed to tick over. That was the purpose of this blog. An accountability check to get these trig points bagged before the end of 2023. Just over half way through the year – it was complete! But I still needed something to keep me motivated and once again train with purpose…
The siren call of the EPONA 100-mile ultramarathon is impossible to ignore. With its rugged terrains crisscrossing the magnificent mountains of South Wales, the race promises an adventure that is both grueling and breathtakingly beautiful. The goal? To traverse 100 miles within 50 hours, confronting 17,000 feet of elevation gain along the way. After cutting my teeth and completing the Pegasus ‘SLAM’, another of organiser Rhys Jenkins’ excellent events in 2022, this is the natural evolution of that and a challenge I want to complete next. Want to know more about the EPONA 100? Check out the website here.
Named after Epona, the Celtic Goddess, protector of horses and now trail runners, this event embodies the spirit of endurance and human potential. The race isn’t just about a physical test, but also a commitment to a journey that demands a balance of mental toughness and strategic nutrition.
Training with Rokman: Embracing the Uncomfortable
To prepare for such an enormous challenge, a unique training methodology is needed. Enter Rokman. Its ethos is straightforward: to embrace the uncomfortable. In an age where comfort is often the default setting, Rokman challenges its followers to not just exercise, but to push beyond the known limits. Since the completion of the trig bagging, I’ve subscribed to Rokman’s monthly challenge series indefinitely. I’m going to need to train as intensely and consistently – and Rokman will ensure I will!
The statistics are startling. Over half the adult population is inactive, and many face mental health challenges. Rokman’s solution? To promote resilience and growth through physical challenge. The idea is that by pushing your physical boundaries, you also build mental toughness, enabling you to handle life’s adversities better.
By offering virtual challenges throughout the year, Rokman ensures that participants remain engaged, focused, and motivated. But more than the physicality, there’s an emphasis on mental resilience. Mental resilience is a crucial ingredient for an event like the EPONA 100. After taking part in the odd month’s challenge here and there, I’m now all in up until June 2024. However, that said, the 4x4x48 Challenge is done – and I don’t think I want to try again. That shit was tough!
Not only is Rokman great for motivation, I’m also able to collect the finishers ‘pips’ for each monthly challenge that’s completed. I’m keeping track of these on this page.
Ketogenic Lifestyle: Fueling the EPONA 100 Ultra
Any ultramarathoner will tell you that nutrition is a vital piece of the puzzle. For our EPONA 100 participant, the dietary approach of choice is a strict ketogenic diet. This low-carb, high-fat diet transforms the body into a fat-burning machine, utilising ketones as its primary energy source instead of glucose.
The benefits of a ketogenic diet for endurance sports are becoming increasingly recognised. Steady energy levels, enhanced fat oxidation, and decreased reliance on carbohydrate-rich foods during long activities are some advantages.
But it’s not without challenges. Preparing for a race of this magnitude on a diet that restricts carbohydrate intake demands careful planning. The trick is to consume high-quality fats to maintain energy. Think avocados, coconut oil, and nuts. Fat bombs, keto-friendly quiches, and beef stews can serve as excellent refueling options at rest stops hot or cold.
The Journey Ahead
However, the EPONA 100 is more than just a race. It’s a testament to human resilience, an exploration of the body’s limits, and a celebration of the spirit’s indomitable will. With the right training, a strategic dietary approach, and an unwavering mental resolve, the finish line is not just a possibility but a forthcoming reality.
And as the quaint market town of Abergavenny fades into the horizon and the Sugar Loaf Mountain stands tall, every step taken is, above all, a step closer to the achievement of a lifetime.
Since I’ve met some great people over on Instagram, and one or two of them read this blog, I thought I’d carry on blogging. However, with all the training I’m going to be doing for the EPONA 100, I thought it might make for interesting content. So, if I do interesting stuff, I’ll blog about it! This might cover anything and everything – gym workouts, diet… And obviously lots of trail running in the hills!
OCTOBER 2023 UPDATE
Training has been ticking over nicely. I took part in the St. Michael’s Hospice Wye Valley Trek at the end of September. A great (new) event that helped give me purpose to getting out and getting 26.2 miles under my belt along a beautiful stretch of the Wye Valley Walk.
It was by this time that I had surpassed all of last years’ figures (except the number of activities – that’s the only one that should be less – a LOT less!)
I’ve also upped my supplement game to include super greens too. Being on keto limits the amount of greens I can have because of the carb content, so I’ve starting taking a scoop a day.
