It was almost one year what I didn’t race in Taiwan…
Last Sunday came first on Yilan 50k in 5:35. Here are few notices and tips for who interest. That trail running is not only about running:
Didn't feel HOT until last road, how:
1] Taiwan Beast Runners （跑山獸) BUFF– I kept it wet from any source (stream, tap on farm, etc.). Has to be Beast Buff
2] Cut trail on The Beast Trail (often many hours just with 0.6L bottle) was best training for hot.
3] Keep hydrate smartly (2L of Tailwind Nutrition Asia for whole 50k, lot energy and electrolytes, plus some water in CP, ehm, there were not water in CP5 and 6 for me – blame suppliers)
4] Beast Jersey – quick dry with full zip (cool and sexy :) ) and great see other friends with jersey
EQUIPMENT:
1] Hoka One One Taiwan Challenger ATR and SmartWool Taiwan was best choice: after study course via Google street view decided for HOKAs (the course had over 50% on paved and asphalt roads, so definitely cannot be certificated by ITRA, but still very nice course). For more technical trail will prefer Speed Goat or Salomon Taiwan.
2] Compressport Taiwan Trail Running shorts is best option for me to avoid chafing (+anti chafing GurneyGoo), and keep thighs compact
3] Garmin Fenix3 – prepared course and navigation (marking was not best, but it is normal in long race getting lost, be ready and have gps device) you can find our runs on TBR Garmin Connect: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/profile/TaiwanBeastRunners
4] Didn’t want run with bag (wanted try Naked Running Band) but lucky I respect mandatory equipment and took old UD vest
5] Heal little pain of knee by Pernaton 百通關凝膠 and ActivePatch4U Asia before race
NUTRITION
1] Breakfast: Runivore bar + two bananas (never eat food which you don’t know)
2] 2L of TAILWIND (lot energy and electrolytes, I am bad eater during race this help me lot)
3] Two gels of RacingPro 運動達人能量補給站 and never forget Runivore bar for hungry stomach
4] Some bananas and tomatoes (easy source of energy and potassium, take out form CP)
6] Cold Runivore chia freska and 富樂啤酒 Fuller's 英式頂級精釀啤酒 beer (rather 4 cans, I was little dehydrate) after finish are best
HOW TO KEEP GOING
1] If you think you run fast = you really do = slow down (slow down more on beginning – thumb up for Cory, he was 25th in third and finish 2nd)
2] If others are faster = they are too fast = they will fail or they are just better than you – you don’t need follow them
3] Keep fast hiking in ascent
4] Run down smartly and train downhills (we train run down in Beast GYM) the muscles are painful from downhill in long distance
5] Don`t waste time and don’t stop so much (my time in CP was c. 20s, except last CP with minute) stop = no moving = but recovery and rest can also during hiking
TEAM
1] Eva and mother and Aqua in CP4/7 (the CP was again no ready when I came, but they solved it quickly)
2] Happy start with all Beast Runners and proud be part of team
MENTAL aspects
1] Best on Ultras – the waves of crisis and euphoria
2] Think about different things (never think about finish, separate course for shorter segments)
3] Don’t think at all (this is best state, reach meditation during activity)
4] Think about family and friends (live-dead-unborn…)
