#21 | Running an Ultramarathon (with Thomas Zachariassen)
Feb 1, 2021
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In this episode, Tom shares his story of running an ultramarathon in Wilson's Promontory, Australia. He discusses the challenges of the race, including bad weather and getting lost. Tom also talks about his motivation for running and raising funds for breast cancer. He reflects on the importance of maintaining a consistent rhythm and shares his experience of getting lost during the race, relying on logic and gut feeling to find his way back.
Running an ultra marathon requires diligent physical and mental preparation.
Overcoming unexpected challenges and setbacks is essential for successfully completing an ultra marathon.
Deep dives
Tom's Motivation and Training for the Ultra Marathon
Tom AvelarĂĄ embarked on the challenge of running a 60-kilometer ultra marathon in Wilson's Promatory, a picturesque nature reserve in Australia. Motivated by the desire to raise funds for breast cancer, Tom started training diligently three months prior to the race. Despite the demanding schedule of clocking 75 to 80 kilometers per week and managing work and social life, Tom prepared himself both mentally and physically for the race.
Challenges Faced During the Ultra Marathon
On race day, Tom encounters unexpected challenges. The weather conditions are abysmal, with thunderstorms and heavy rain. As the race begins, Tom finds himself battling exhaustion and self-doubt, especially when faced with a relentless uphill terrain. Moreover, he gets lost during the race, relying on his intuition and logical thinking to find the correct path. Despite these setbacks, Tom perseveres.
The Triumph of Completing the Ultra Marathon
After a five-kilometer detour and running the final stretch all alone, Tom reaches the finish line. His friends, who had been waiting patiently, are shocked when he unexpectedly appears from the opposite direction. Despite the physical pain and exhaustion, Tom experiences a sense of relief, appreciation for the beauty of nature, and a profound gratitude for the experience. In the end, Tom successfully raised $2,000 for cancer research through his ultra marathon campaign.
- TO PUSH YOURSELF TO DO SOMETHING: To make a big effort to do something. Examples: "I need to push myself to stay awake until midnight." or "He pushes himself to work harder every day."
- TO CLOCK / TO CLOCK UP: To reach a certain number or amount of something. Examples: "He clocked 70 kilometers last week as part of his training." or "She has clocked up 200 hours of volunteer work this year."
- TO TAKE A TOLL: To have a bad effect on someone or something. Examples: "Working long hours takes a toll on health." or "Hard training takes a toll on your body."
- GUT FEELING: A strong feeling about something without a clear reason. Examples: "She had a gut feeling that something was wrong." or "He trusted his gut feeling during the race."
- RELIEF: Feeling better after being worried or stressed. Examples: "When the storm passed, they felt great relief." or "Finding her lost keys was such a relief."
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