ULTRA DAD

Ultra DadPerth, WA

Early alarms, long trails and an absolute refusal to DNF. A self-funded, self-crewed dad running toward the UTMB 100M in Chamonix.

Feral Pig Wild Swine 100 km

The latest race, in the Perth Hills: 37–39°C heat and smoke, and about half the field didn’t finish. I did, 21st male out of 31 finishers, on a body that was 10 kg lighter than when this build started.

21:16:59official time
109.32 kmdistance covered
2,982 mclimbing
21stmale finisher

Average heart rate stayed near 120 bpm. The engine was never the problem, which is the good news and the whole point of the next section.

The road to Chamonix

Local WA races build the UTMB Index cheaply. Interstate travel money is saved for the official UTMB World Series “Running Stones” races, and there is only room for one a year.

  1. Margaret River Ultra 80 km

    May 2027 · ballot entry open

  2. Feral Pig 100 km

    November 2027 · a rematch

  3. UTA 100, Katoomba

    2028 · the single solo interstate Running Stones race

  4. UTMB 100M, Chamonix

    The goal, at 45

What went wrong, honestly

Feet

The biggest limiter. Heel collar rub, blisters and swelling cost two to three hours in sit-downs and forced walking. Next time: a bigger toe box, room to swell and better socks.

Heat

An ice-filled buff around the neck was the discovery of the day. It needs to go on earlier, along with a proper hat and cooling before I feel I need it.

Gut

The stomach shuts down in the heat. A bagel at the start didn’t help. Yaberoo, flatter with fewer aid-station stops, was the exception, so there’s a pattern to crack.

Fitness, ankle and head all passed. Feet, heat and gut are all trainable, so the plan is to fix the chassis.

The dad engine

The race-day rules, written down so tired-me can’t argue with them.

  • Drink
    Every 15 minutes.
  • Gel
    Every 45 minutes.
  • Electrolytes
    Every 60 minutes.
  • Aid stations
    Never leave one empty.
  • Climbs
    Walk them. The first 30 km is a scam.
  • Pain cave
    Not an emergency.