Previously, finishing a marathon set you apart as a serious runner, but now, 26.2 miles is just the starting point. The ultra-endurance running world has exploded in popularity in recent years, with some challenges seeing participants cover courses that stretch to three figures.
I’m one of those bitten by the big distance bug, and past outings have included eight laps of a backyard ultra and attempting (and failing) to finish the UK’s take on the notorious Barkley Marathons.
But my previous pursuits have never seen me go beyond 12 hours on my feet. So when I was invited to take part in the Non-Stop Run Club – a 24-hour relay where three teams of runners would pass the baton every 5k until sunrise, ticking off some of London’s most iconic landmarks along the way – I was all ears.
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To power us through, our team of six would all be wearing the new Under Armour Infinite Elite 2, a shoe designed specifically with this type of limit-pushing endurance event in mind, so I was intrigued to put it to the test during such an intensive feat.
Spoiler: I made it through, but the path to success was not straightforward. So from perfecting my pacing to nailing my kit choice, here’s how I survived my first 24-hour running relay.
Perfecting pacing
Setting off on my first leg between Victoria Park and Barbican, I settled into a comfortable pace. But easy running on fresh legs is very different to the slow shuffle I’d be doing in almost 24 hours from now. I quickly reminded myself that it was a 24-hour marathon effort, not a 5km sprint, and slowed things down some more – even walking flights of stairs and any inclines. While it felt glacially slow in those early kilometres, it was a tactic that paid off, with no real aches or pains from my lower limbs deep into the challenge.
Nailing nutrition
Ultra-endurance races are often described as an eating competition with a bit of running between food stops. While the relay nature and relatively short individual distances of legs meant I didn’t need to fuel on the go, as soon as I stopped it was time to take on some nutrition and fluids to fill the engine before it was time to go again. And as I’d be burning so many calories throughout the 24 hours and needed to reduce fibre intake to minimise stomach cramps, I could relax about what I was eating – the plainer and processed, the better.
Crucial kit choice
You want kit you can trust on any challenge where you’re going the distance, and this is especially critical when it comes to shoes. The Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 is super lightweight, with springy cushioning that helped keep my feet feeling fresh and comfortable from the first kilometre to the last, and was plush on any terrain I encountered – from tarmac and pavement to canal paths and gravel trails, the rebound and energy return were impressive. They were crucial in me making it to the finish line, where I’d doubled my longest previous running duration and logged my third furthest distance.
Going direct
The nature of the challenge saw a start and end point given for each leg, but pairs could decide the path they took between the two. After a forgettable amble between Lord’s Cricket Ground and Neasden Temple, I suggested that we should mix things up for our third leg between Kew Gardens and Twickenham Stadium – taking a slightly longer course along the scenic Thames Path – but paid the price with a blocked path and an unnecessary additional 2km of running. After this mistake, it was Google Maps’ most direct suggestion at all times and a lottery of what the route entailed, from hugging paths on dual carriageways to exploring woodland trails on Putney Heath.
After-dark distractions
As the moon rose, so did my tiredness levels, and once nightfall had settled in, I had a long nine hours ahead of me before dawn. Sleeping in between legs was impossible, so it became about finding ways to stay awake when out on two feet. Fortunately, this section of the Non-Stop Run Club saw us passing some of London’s most famous spots: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral. These after-dark distractions – and the soaring team spirit – were enough to keep me going deep into the late stages of the challenge. Running through deserted streets in the early hours was certainly a surreal experience, but it was also one that proved the power of camaraderie, as we all cheered each other on to cross the finish line.
Overall I left feeling lucky; lucky to have seen London by night, to have pushed my endurance stamina to the max, and to be hanging up my trainers (for now) and training it home to bed – just as the sun was rising.
With a lightweight build, improved HOVR+ cushioning and a unique heel design for a smoother landing, the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 is the ultimate long-run solution, delivering rebound and bounce over any distance. Find your perfect pair at underarmour.co.uk
