5x4x24 Yeti Challenge
My first “Ultra marathon”
I sit here today writing this blog after completing the 24 hour yeti challenge just last night. I’m not quite able to do anything other than lie on the couch and feel sorry for myself.
Okay I instantly take that back, I don’t feel sorry for myself, I am very proud. But the lack of sleep is taking it’s toll and I am most definitely in need of some TLC.
But what IS the Yeti Challenge?!
For those of you who don’t know, the 5x4x24 Yeti Challenge is an ultra marathon where you run 5 miles every 4 hours for 24 hours. So it’s a total of 6 runs, 30 miles.
I came across it after seeing David Goggins 4x4x48 hour challenge. It’s the same idea but 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours.
This instantly appealed to me and the more research I did, the more excited I got. My mind was set, I had (have) to complete the challenge. However, I wanted to do it back home where I know the streets better. I knew I had to wait until Christmas time.
In the meantime I found the Yeti Challenge to complete as practice. So I began planning my routes and timings so that I could do it as soon as possible.
How I prepared for it…
I began by mapping out my 5 mile routes on Strava. I chose to map out 5 different routes so that I had options in case I got bored, or if one route seemed too difficult.
I then chose the times that I would set off at. I considered choosing times best for optimum daylight, but this meant my sleeping and eating would be more disturbed. So I went for 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm, 10pm, 2am.
Considering that 4 out of 6 of the runs were going to be in the dark, I had to order a running light. I ordered one off of amazon and it arrived the evening before I set off, just in time.
I researched what sort of food I should be eating and watched plenty of YouTubes of other people completing the challenge.
I was ready to go.
Tuesday 17th November: The calm before the storm
I mentally prepared myself by watching motivational YouTubes featuring David Goggins and Jocko Willink, the most motivational guys I know. With this video helping me the most…
I watched and watched and ate my pizza and salad (yes I know, probably not the best meal to eat the night before long distance running).
After this motivational session I made sure all my running gear was clean, and in piles ready for me to go in the morning. Then I set my head down to sleep.
6am, my first run
I set my alarm for 5:30am so that I had plenty of time to get up without being rushed. Looking out of my window to see just blackness was not encouraging in the slightest. I put my Goggins mindset on, got changed and was ready to start the challenge.
My brother and mum saw me off and off I went.
Despite it being dark, I enjoyed myself. I didn’t feel scared (apart from when I had to run through the graveyard, but luckily no ghosts were about).
I said hello to the cows at the farm and made it home in good spirits.
Distance: 5.03 mi, Avg pace: 8:28 /mi, Elevation gain: 339ft, Moving Time: 42:40
7am
Once I was back I did some stretches, had a shower and then got back into bed and had a nap.
10am, second run
Time for the second run. Daylight this time and a nice temperature, very windy though. If I hadn’t been careful I could’ve been blown off the ridgeway!
I went on my most difficult route as I didn’t feel too tired. It was a struggle with the constant uphill, but I told my self, “every red light eventually turns green”. A quote from Matthew McConaughey’s new book, “Green Lights”.
Sure enough the red light turned green and I was finally on the descent. I ran with my arms out and sang my favourite song. It felt amazing.
Distance: 5.10 mi, Avg pace: 9:01 /mi, Elevation gain: 532ft, Moving Time: 46:00
11am
More stretches. Ate my first meal which was a big bowl of banana whipped oatmeal with peanut butter and berries. Very tasty and very filling.
2pm, third run
I really wasn’t feeling it this time. I had been sitting on the couch counting down the minutes until I had to go and dreading it more and more. I learned that sitting and waiting was the hardest part. Thinking of the runs to come and the fact that it will only get harder. Not fun or exciting.
My head was pounding and all I wanted to do was sleep. I knew I had to snap out of this negative mindset. I asked my brother to escort me on the bike for a little bit of extra motivation. So off we went, a different route again.
It was a rainy run this time which made it a little more exciting, legs still not really sore but could feel tightness in my ankles.
Distance: 5.02 mi, Avg pace: 8:40 /mi, Elevation gain: 408ft, Moving Time: 43:33
3pm
Time for lunch. I had a wrap with avocado, scrambled eggs, lettuce and tomato, very yummy.
I felt on top of the world, the runners high was real.
6pm, fourth run
It was already pitch black and my sleepiness and headache were back. Nick came with me again on the bike and we went to the top of the ridgeway. Visibility was hard because we only had one light and there weren’t any other lights around us, apart from the moon.
It was like an obstacle course hopping around the puddles and trying not to get run over by Nick’s bike. I kept envisioning him clipping my ankle with the wheel, I’d fall face first, and he’d cycle over me turning me into flat Stanly. Luckily that never happened.
Distance: 5.00 mi, Avg pace: 9:04 /mi, Elevation gain: 316ft, Moving Time: 45:25
7pm
Back home with no major soreness. Had a quick shower and then dinner which was greek salad, lamb, pita bread and tzatziki. I then hit the hay for a 10 minute power nap. Every little counts.
10pm, fifth run
Veerrryyyy sleepy but hey ho.
“I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m done” — David Goggins
I went alone and did the village route which I enjoyed. I knew where I was and the light from the houses comforted me and helped with visibility.
Ooops I spoke too soon…
I had to leap into the road and scream profanity in order to protect my life. A dog had barked at me from behind a fence. I don’t know what he was playing at, probably just wanted to say hi and cheer me on, but I was not impressed. I ran on and giggled at myself. I don’t need a crowd in order to be dramatic.
Distance: 5.01 mi, Avg pace: 8:49 /mi, Elevation gain: 337ft, Moving Time: 44:12
11pm
Home again home again jiggity jig, I ate the rest of my dinner and fell fast asleep.
2am, last run
This was it, the final hurdle.
I was cream crackered to say the least.
Nick jumped on the bike and came with and we crossed the finish line together!! Challenge completed.
Distance: 5.03 mi, Avg pace: 9:42 /mi, Elevation gain: 354ft, Moving Time: 48:50
All in all it was a success — no major stitches or injuries. I lived to tell the tale.
I would recommend this challenge to anyone! Not only is it a challenge of endurance but it’s a challenge of mental toughness.
“Mental toughness is a lifestyle” — David Goggins
I wanted to put my mind to the test to see if I could push past any mental barriers. I wanted to prove to myself that I am in control of my thoughts and they aren’t in control of me. I may not have enjoyed every run or thought positive thoughts all the time, but I wasn’t going to sit there and let these negative thoughts consume me.
In life it’s about witnessing any negative thoughts or emotions, accepting them and moving past them. They don’t have to determine your actions — unless maybe they spur you on to do positive things. But you should never let negative thoughts get the better of you. You are not your mind. You can do a lot more than you think.
“Only you can master your mind, which is what it takes to live a bold life filled with accomplishments most people consider beyond their capability.” — David Goggins
Do it, I dare you.
