Event: Thames Path 100km Ultra Run
Date: 14th September 2024

Whilst doing a smaller challenge to run 5km a day for 50 days at the end of last year, I got inspired to step way out of my comfort zone and signed up for a 100km Ultra Marathon!! Apparently, you have to ‘run it’ rather than ‘jog it’ if you do it in less than 14-hours.

Having been a cyclist for many years, running is not something that my legs appreciate but I did manage a marathon at the end of my Ironman last year so how hard could it be, right?

Training diary as told by my social media posts!!

April
230km
Safe to say that converting from a cyclist to a runner is not going to be an easy journey! 20 weeks to go…

May
240km
The conversion from a cyclist to a runner seems to be getting harder as time goes by!! 16 weeks to go…

June
265km
Injuries to back and both legs, another back injury from a running fall and wrecked toes. Hopefully, July will be smoother and get me back on track! 11 weeks to go…

July
240km
Massive improvement to back and leg injuries by replacing some runs with walks. Catching Covid whilst finishing the 100 Cycling Climbs challenge didn’t hinder the plan too much! 6 weeks to go…

August
260km
An injury free month so all set assuming that my back holds out on the big day!! 2 weeks to go…

September 14th
100.75km
11 hours 36 minutes
6:55 / km
Challenge completed! That was one tough day out, but thanks to lots of support from friends I got it done. 49th Male solo runner from 709 starters so very pleased with that!!

Obviously, the challenge of running 5km a day continued up to the event and I ended up with a 319 day streak and over 2,000km of running in 2024!!

What’s next?! Ideas for next year’s challenge welcome!!