Tom Evans | Kenyan Running Influences, Social Media Outlook, New UTMB Approach
Aug 20, 2024
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Tom Evans, an accomplished ultrarunner, shares insights from his unique journey that began in the military and found inspiration in Kenya. He discusses overcoming last year's challenges at UTMB, the impact of media and social media on performance, and his evolving training strategies incorporating the latest sports science. Evans emphasizes mental preparation and the delicate balance between engagement and focus leading up to a race, while also reflecting on nutrition tactics that optimize his endurance.
Tom Evans' military experiences in Kenya significantly shaped his ultrarunning resilience and mental toughness, providing valuable insights into managing race day pressures.
Reflecting on his UTMB performance, Evans emphasizes the importance of recognizing readiness and prioritizing specific preparations for each race event.
Focusing on nutrition and limiting media distractions before races, Evans aims to enhance his performance potential and maintain mental clarity during competitions.
Deep dives
Military Background Influences Ultra Running
Tom Evans' military background plays a significant role in shaping his approach to ultra running, emphasizing resilience and mental toughness. During his time in Kenya with the military, he immersed himself in the local running culture, which ignited his passion for the sport. This experience served as a catalyst for taking running more seriously, allowing him to learn from the world’s best while appreciating the landscape. His military training has equipped him to perform under pressure, demonstrating that strategies honed in challenging conditions translate well to the demands of ultra races.
Reflecting on Past Performance
Analyzing his previous performance at UTMB, Evans reflects on the importance of recognizing readiness and pacing oneself. He expresses regret for not heeding advice to take a step back after his success at Western States, a decision influenced by the pressure of competition and personal expectations. This mindset often leads athletes to overlook necessary recovery and the significance of preparation specific to each event. By reviewing vital statistics from his training, he acknowledges the need for a focused approach, stressing that preparation must match the demands of the race.
The Impact of Media on Performance
Evans discusses the strategic decisions he makes regarding media engagement leading up to races, emphasizing the importance of minimizing distractions. He prefers to focus entirely on his race preparation, limiting pre-race media interactions to remain mentally fresh. This approach contrasts the typical demands placed on athletes and underscores the growing professionalism within the sport. By prioritizing training and recovery over social media obligations, Evans aims to maximize his performance potential, which he believes can ultimately make the difference in competitive settings.
Nutrition and Mental Clarity
Throughout his training and preparation, Evans highlights the critical role of nutrition in maintaining both physical and mental performance during races. He discusses specific strategies involving carbohydrate intake and the use of supplements like sodium bicarbonate and ketones to optimize energy levels. By meticulously planning his nutrition and experimenting with these substances during training, he aims to eliminate uncertainties on race day. This structured approach not only fosters confidence in his fuel management but also enhances his focus, vital for decision-making during the grueling race conditions.
Process Goals Over Outcome Goals
Evans champions the idea of setting process goals rather than solely focusing on outcomes, a philosophy he believes enhances performance in ultra running. By concentrating on controllable factors such as fueling, pacing, and mental strategies, he positions himself to be adaptable during unexpected race developments. This approach fosters a sense of calm amid the pressures of competition, allowing him to execute his plan more effectively. He asserts that mastering the process ultimately leads to better outcomes, as athletes can respond more dynamically to the race's conditions.
Tom Evans returns to the Singletrack Podcast to talk about the influence of work and travel in Kenya on his ultrarunning career, how he plans to bounce back from last year's UTMB, his new approach to social media and in-person engagements before race day, and some of the latest training and racing science he's incorporating into his 2024 schedule.
Timestamps:
(1:35) - influence of the military and Iten, Kenya on his ultrarunning career
(11:50) - greediness, selectivity, being realistic about racing performance prospects
(30:42) - perils of media engagements, social media, distractions and their impact on race day performance
(48:43) - training questions around specificity, double-labeled water test, exogenous ketones, traveling with a rice cooker
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