Back in Glasgow and the past 3 days have been devoted to the taper, race preparation and recovering from our final Scotland adventure (camper-vanning around Skye). Here we will go over the race preparation we have undergone for the Fling. Bare in mind this is our fist ultramarathon so we are not sure what will work for us.

The basis of the preparation is from my past experience as a coxswain preparing for regattas. Some nutrition tips I have picked up from coxing lightweight rowers and the rest is what we know works for us from experience cycling long bike rides and Max’s experience as an athlete.

Timeline

I do not leave anything to chance! As a coxswain there are two reasons to have a timeline from the moment you meet to travel to your destination, to race de-brief. First, knowing what is expected will minimize misunderstanding, indecision and confrontation (tensions can get tight in the lead up to race and limiting possible confrontations is important – we have been experiencing this!!) and second, the timeline can be a useful tool for visualization. A race timeline should include:

• Plan every step from the day before to the day after the race
• Know public transport and alternative routes
• Check the weather and plan accordingly
• Plan check in and check out of accommodation and know where and when food is available. Ask your hotel if you need something.
• Know race registration requirements and times, know race numbers and have mandatory kit.
• Plan how to get to the start and how the race will start
• Organize food and plan food you know works for you
• Do not try anything new

Drop bags

The Fling has four checkpoints where we can pick up drop bags.

Water

All the checkpoints have water available. We will both carry at least 600ml of water with us and pick up an extra disposable drink at each checkpoint with either electrolytes added or with a pre-mixed protein powder (we have found consuming protein during pro-longed exercise as well as after helps recovery). The final checkpoint is 12 miles from the finish so we have extra bottles to pick up at this point.

Food

The 3 days prior to race day we have changed our diet, Stacey is dairy free for these 3 days and we both switch to eating white foods instead of wholemeal. We have taken iron supplements and are making sure we eat enough so we do not need to stuff ourselves full the day before! It can be a struggle to eat during the taper, so we are subtly adding calories to our meals through adding seeds, nuts and fruit to meals.

Breakfast at 4.30am on race day is going to be a struggle. Stacey is planning a Trek bar, chocolate soya milk and a banana. Max will try eat the same, but also an instant porridge with nut butter.

We have planned to eat every hour to hour and a half in the race, with an average calorie intake of 200kcals, but up to 400kcals at checkpoints. This food is mostly ‘real’ food (bean burritos, jam sandwiches, Ryvitta with cashew nut butter and Max’s homemade energy bars) until the last 16 miles where it is predominately gels as we anticipate struggling to eat at this point. In the final 12 miles I will have gels with caffeine, however, she is mentally prepared for them to disrupt her sleep. Max has a strict caffeine ban currently.

Race plan

Stacey hopes to finish the race in around 13 hours and to make the first check point cutoff she needs to average 4 miles an hour. Below is her rough time plan, though it is more for peace of mind and to know where she is throughout the day (BOLD = checkpoints). As we have walked the entire course we have a much better insight into where we will be slower and where our demons are likely to set in.

Mile	Marker	Time	Notes
0	Start	6.15am	Approx. time
7	Distillery
10	Road b4 Drymen	8.15am	If early, slow down
13	DRYMEN
20	BALMAHA	11am
27	ROWARDENNAN	12.30pm	Cut off = 1pm
31	Low road rejoins
34	INVERSNAID	2.30pm	Positive thoughts here
38	Duone		Music if needed
41	BEINGLAS	4.30pm	Cut off = 5.30pm
50	A82	7pm	Cut off = 8.30pm
53	TYNDRUM	7.30pm	Bus home @9pm

As long as Max has no problems from his previous foot injury it is anticipated he can run a sub 12 hour race. Though he will have similar time goals as Stacey up to Conic hill at around 10am.

Recovery

Firstly, CELEBRATE! It is so easy to focus on the negative things that happen in our lives and forget to celebrate the positive. So we will take the time to celebrate the moment and the achievement.

Finisher bags

We get food on the finish line (as well as beer and a bottle of champagne), but in our bags we will also have,

• Protein shakes
• Ice spray
• Compression clothing
• Warm clothing
• Bin bag
• Trainers
• Towel and shower gel
• Charger packs to re-charge our phones
• FOOD (Stacey has a pizza)

We plan to de-brief together on the bus – carry the positives, acknowledge and then forget the negatives.

Anyway that is our plan! We had our last run on Monday, 10km on the racecourse. Mainly just banking sleep as do not expect to sleep much after tonight until Sunday night. All to do now is to run.

Good luck to all the runners, and a pre-emptive thank you to all the marshals.

Ding Ding!