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11 life stations, 308,1km of total distance and 7156m of total climb. What was more shocking wast the chat that followed! MD - Are you doing this? P - Yes MD - By bike? P - Do you think??? Pfff... Of course not! I don't even know how to ride the bike! MD - A 300km trail? P - 308km, the last 8 should not be understated MD - In 11 days? P - 3. 72h cut off time. MD - So... 102,5km per day across Algarve 1 year after you destroyed you foot? P - Yep - to celebrate. Not your every-day chat!One thing I learned while working with high achievers is that it is a waste of time trying to convince them on why not to do something, they just won't listen. They are so focused on achieving what they set their mind into that they rather break than bend! Better usage of time and effort to craft the best strategy and this is what we decided: Stage 1: improve energy production system, combining a low carb diet with increased running volume mainly at Z2 training, until roughly 6 weeks out. Stage 2: introduce carbs and faster paces and longer efforts to increase overall performance and mental peace.
The early part of this type of training is really taxing for the mind. Numbers just don't seem to make sense, particularly when paired with the feedback body is giving. Adapting to burn more fat for fuel makes you sluggish and very tired in the process. You can even lose performance, leaving a lot of WTF moments. There are a couple of silver lining angles into this: Long distance running is mostly a mind game. Being mentally resilient and able to push through the pains, doubts and devils in our mind is the only determinant of success - more so that the actual physical ability. So pushing through the mentally taxing process will lead to positive outcomes. It works. It really does. P's plan is the ultimate testimonial.
He arrived at the race with the best possible physical ability and mental strength possible. After transitioning for phase 2 and putting carbs into the system, he saw both an improvement in speed but, much more importantly, a significant reduction in heart rate. We even considered if his Garmin had an issue - he got a 10km PB while beating at 139bpm. So he was ready - at least as ready as anyone can be, when the finish line is 308 km away! I wasn't.I wasn't ready for how such display of mental resilience and physical prowess changed my perspective of what can be possible and on the journey that's ahead of me. During the first day and night, I noticed his pace where off of what he had planned. I was following his GPS live and I realised it would be hard for him to make to beat the cut-off to the end. Early afternoon on the second day, his wife called me. Apparently he was not struggling! He got delayed because he carryed all through the night a friend that didn't prep that well. I still don't know what was the real meaning of carrying... hopefully not literally. He was fuming for the time loss and went beast mode, focused on making up for the time lost. From last in one of the first LS, he charged through the field and made up substantial time, becoming safe from the cut-offs. Later in the day I received another call from his wife's number but this time was P on the phone. MD - Hey, how are you feeling? P - Great except for the feet, they are killing me. MD - what about everything else? P - Perfect, zero problems. MD - Kidneys? P - Working fine. MD - Hydration? P - On point. MD - Fuelling. P - Good but I cannot take any more bars, I need real food now. MD - Ready for the second night? P - Yes! MD - Good! You can do this. I promise you - he had zero fatigue in his voice. He was sharp, composed and, crucially, sure that he was going to go for it! From that moment, I was sure that he would finish it. And he did, in 68h, with 4-5h of sleep and 1 year after blowing his feet. Oh, one detail: the longest run he did was 35km. I don't mean during the training block... I mean ever!!!Being able to witness first hand the unfolding of stories like this humble me, motivate me and push me to overcome all the difficulties I may be facing and that I will face in the future, both professionally and in my #road2hawaii. It redefines the limits of the body and how the mind is the ultimate barrier to what we can achieve.This is very much in line with a great book I read recently and probably will share more about it - How bad you want it, mastering the psychology of mind over muscle, by Matt Fitzgerald. I really grateful and proud of P's ALUT experience, how much it taught me and put me in a place of wanting to pushing myself beyond what I think I can. I am really a lucky one! Thanks! Miguel
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