Conquering the Hills: My First 53km Ultra Marathon - The Spire Ultra Experience (2023)

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  • Опубликовано: 11 дек 2024

Комментарии • 112

  • @GillFisherRunningMySpace
    @GillFisherRunningMySpace Год назад +3

    Congratulations Mark! I felt so much of what you went through! I remember getting to the 40K mark and thinking, “when is this going to end? “ Awesome ultra run! You rocked it! 💪💪👏👏👏

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Thanks, Gill 🙂 I'm glad it's not just me going through all those trials and pains along the way! Worth it in the end, when it eventually arrived 😄👍🏻

  • @drsajjadhanif
    @drsajjadhanif Год назад +3

    Congratz Mark, thats a big achievement, big respect.

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Thanks, Sajjad 🙂 Much appreciated!

  • @ChloeHamard
    @ChloeHamard Год назад +3

    Huge congrats Mark, despite the bumps on the road during the training, it paid off and you earned that medal! Really lovely surprise from your kids on race morning! I hope you're recovering well, curious to hear about your future running plans!

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Thanks Chloe 😁👍🏻 It was a lovely boost to see the posters from the girls on race day. I'm hoping to try parkrun and maybe a running club later in the year. Try to meet some people despite my introvert brain's objections! 😄

  • @StevoRuns
    @StevoRuns Год назад +2

    Brilliant Mark! More people behind than you thought too. Inspirational mate, well done! 🎉

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Thanks a lot, Stevo 👍🏻 There were 88 finishers overall, with 3 of those after the 9 hour cut off. So I was a lot further ahead of last place than I feared. The fear kept me running though 😂

  • @higherstateoffx
    @higherstateoffx Год назад +2

    Well done mate, great achievement. Now your a celebrity I want a signed flapjack.

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Haha! If only I hadn't eaten them all 😂 Cheers mate.

  • @kathyrunsaround3393
    @kathyrunsaround3393 Год назад +2

    Thanks for sharing your day Mark. Congratulations on finishing. What a lovely surprise your kids gave you with their posters, must have given you a boost. My next ultra is about the same distance and elevation!

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Cheers Kathy 🙂 The posters were a really nice surprise. My wife, two younger daughters, and my brother also waited at the finish line and surprised me again. I can highly recommend that type of race... it hardly hurts at all 😂
      Best of luck with your training.

  • @BenNotley
    @BenNotley Год назад +4

    Yes Mark! Absolutely epic mate!!! You smashed it. You were hurting and you didn't give up. That's what ultras are all about mate! Thank you for providing me with some inspiration for the weekend! What a great start to your ultra career mate! 👏🥇😎🤘

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Cheers, Ben 👍🏻😁 I know people always talking about the mental side of ultras and having to ignore your brain and, to some extent, body when they tell you to stop. I have experienced it first hand now, and it's all very real! 😄 However you do the longer races I don't know. Hat's off to you dude. Have a good one 👍🏻🏃‍♂️

  • @DevRunner
    @DevRunner Год назад +4

    Congratulations! What an awesome and fun journey Mark! I enjoyed coming along for the adventure! I can't wait to see what's next!

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Thanks a lot, Paul. Not sure what's next but plenty of options once my legs have recovered 👍🏻🙂

  • @cupcakescorner7684
    @cupcakescorner7684 Год назад +2

    Congratulations on uour achivement Mark.
    Sweet little kids.

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Thank you! The boost from the kids was much needed 😁👍🏻

  • @TheDeterminedRunner
    @TheDeterminedRunner Год назад +3

    Well done Mark, you did it! You pushed through even when your legs were wrecked & I loved the fact you got a renewed lease of life to run through to the finish 🏅 A big well done, have you signed up for another one yet 😉

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Cheers, Martin 👍🏻 I was in a state for the second half of the race. Was determined to finish though. It sometimes feels like you could try running more or faster, despite the pain but your legs are so tired it feels like you could injure something with a wrong step or an over stride. That all goes out the window for the last 500m lol.
      And, no I haven't signed up for another 😂😂 Might need a minute to get over that one first.

  • @Shevock
    @Shevock Год назад +2

    Congrats! You are a rock star out on the trails!! Way to control your HR.

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Cheers Dan 😁👍🏻 it was a really great day, marred only by the hours of suffering 😂

  • @averagewanderers
    @averagewanderers Год назад +2

    I love the signs your kids made, having support like that definitely makes a huge impact mentally!
    hahaha I feel ya with the amount of sweat, maybe could make a sport drink out of the back sweat, great electrolytes!
    You had the best attitude running this race, were still positive and light hearted through the dark moments and you never gave up, that is so awesome!
    Huge congrats on your race and your finish, it has been so much fun watching you train and now getting to see you finish!
    Thank you for putting your journey out there to inspire so many others!

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Aww, thanks so much. The posters were a lovely surprise.
      I'm not sure I'll have a best seller on my hands with the sweat drink 😂
      I think my attitude of dying on the inside, smiling on the outside served me quite well 😁
      Appreciate you watching the series. I'm ready to take things down a notch for a while now 😴

  • @RichardHind-k1v
    @RichardHind-k1v Год назад +2

    Well done Mark you did brill.

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Thanks Richard 👍🏻 It was worth the struggle in the end! 😄

  • @trailrunningforlife
    @trailrunningforlife Год назад +1

    Well done Mark! Good on you for recording the whole experience too! I was so pleased to see your activity posted in my Strava feed. Congratulations! First Ultra! I think you'll find the ultra running addiction kick in soon... 😄

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Cheers Sean 👍🏻 I was so pleased to get to the end 😂🥵 Now I know I can do it, I'm sure I'll do more at some point. I might have to chill for a bit first though lol

  • @CotswoldTrailRunner
    @CotswoldTrailRunner Год назад +2

    Well done Mark! Amazing! You did brilliantly. So glad you got it done and proved the training was worth it. Excellent strategy and realistic approach to your first ultra. Onwards! What's next? Enjoy the recovery and eating frenzy that follows!

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Cheers, Francois 👍🏻 I'm amazed I managed to guess a realistic finish time but I was pretty close somehow 🙂 I'm planning to rest, eat, and then look onto some of the more social aspects of running that I haven't explored yet, such as parkrun, running clubs, meeting running friends for a social run etc.
      I'll need to think about my next big race at some point and hopefully be fitter and stronger next time out 👍🏻🏃‍♂️

  • @OlgasBritishFells
    @OlgasBritishFells Год назад +4

    Massive congratulations, Mark. You seemed to have done it with such ease despite the struggle. It was wise to pace yourself properly like you did. There were 3 people behind you! I think it helped that you knew the route. Big respect to you, Mark!

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Aww, thanks, Olga ❤ It certainly didn't feel easy but the memory of the pain is fading already 🙂 I didn't show the full results but there were 13 people behind me in the end and I had no idea. Knowing the route was a major bonus 👍🏻🙂

    • @OlgasBritishFells
      @OlgasBritishFells Год назад +1

      @@markg99 wow 13! That's even better, very proud of you!

  • @justanoldfashionedrunner605
    @justanoldfashionedrunner605 Год назад +2

    many congratulations, you did it, great,.....the video made me remember my tired legs, filled with pain instead of power and at the same time the happy heart and the huge relief after crossing the finish line....those long long runs are something else....great day to remember, now enjoy the healing of the body..........i knew it, you would make it, the heart of the lion conquered the doubting brain, because you wanted it that much and are connected to the course and the area.....training on the course and knowing your way around helped also

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Thanks 😁 You summed it up nicely. Knowing the course was such a boost, and I obviously had the challenge of covering the distance for the first time which was enough to deal with. So glad I pushed on to the end. I was determined to get there before the cut off 👍🏻

  • @KoiRun50
    @KoiRun50 Год назад +2

    You did that rather gracefully. Congratulations on completing your first ultra and thanks for sharing your experience.

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Thank you, Sid 😁 I'm not sure I felt physically graceful, but I tried to stay as relaxed and positive as I could! 👍🏻

  • @NorthernFellRunning
    @NorthernFellRunning Год назад +2

    Well done Mark.
    Really chuffed for you 👍👏👏👏😎

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Cheers, Graeme 👍🏻 I'll know what to expect next time!

  • @michaelsanderson7328
    @michaelsanderson7328 Год назад +2

    Well done Mark! Congratulations

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Thanks, Michael 👍🏻 It was hard work mate!

  • @racheld1844
    @racheld1844 Год назад +4

    Congratulations Mark! Well done on completing not only your first marathon but skipping that and going straight for the ultra. Paced it perfect for a run into the finish too 🤩 A well deserved medal that I hope you’re mega proud of and how lovely that your children made the good luck posters for you on race morning. Hope the recovery is being kind to your legs 😁 Massive well done again Mark!!

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Thanks, Rachel! 😁👍🏻 It's funny how there's always enough in reserve to run at the end, after your brain finally stops telling you to hold a bit back so you don't collapse before the end...
      I think the legs will forgive me eventually 😂

  • @essextrails
    @essextrails Год назад +2

    Brilliant Mark. Well done, so happy for you. I have followed you round so many parts of this route that I reckon I might be able to navigate it myself (my daughter would disagree). Loved some of the quotes "question life choices" "someone laid out the brown carpet". How did we ever manage to run marathons without heart rate monitors, gels, food of any kind, and rock solid shoes? Loved the kids surprise, my daughters used to make banners to hold up when I finished. Wonderful memories for you Mark and you have the advantage of a video to help you remember. Make sure to back it up! I am so pleased that you made it mate. Bet you are already thinking about that 100k now. Hope recovery goes well.

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Thanks mate. I might have to treat you to some new trails on the videos for a while now 😄 Knowing the course was a real plus point on the day. I had to stop someone going the wrong way a few times.
      The posters from my kids were so lovely. I have no idea how you made it without food 😄 The heart rate monitor was useless, I was over my upper limit for the alert for most of the race 🥵😁
      As for 100k, that's how much they'd have to pay me to run that far! Maybe one day....

  • @fatrunner
    @fatrunner Год назад +2

    Amazing, well done.

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Cheers Colin 👍🏻🏃‍♂️

  • @leerunsultras
    @leerunsultras Год назад +4

    Had a tear in my eye there, its always a kicker when it's not 50k. I'm proud of you 👏

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Aww, thanks mate 😢 I'm not crying, you're crying 😂 Cheers for the support dude. I took notes from all your ultra advice videos 👍🏻👍🏻

  • @MihaiGoRunning
    @MihaiGoRunning Год назад +4

    Hey Mark, congratulations on completing the Spire Ultra marathon! It was inspiring to hear about your journey and the challenges you faced along the way. Your determination and perseverance are truly commendable. Keep pushing your limits and achieving new milestones. Cheers to your accomplishment! 👏

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Thanks, Mihai 🙂👍🏻 It's good to have finally got it done.

  • @Ijustkeptrunning
    @Ijustkeptrunning Год назад +1

    Congratulations Mark, looked like you really had to dig deep out there!! Big kudos for getting through and finishing 💪.

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Cheers James 👍🏻 I felt like it would never end at some points but kept dragging the heavy legs along somehow 😁

  • @trailrunningphil
    @trailrunningphil Год назад +4

    Done and dusted mate. Only in a few days time once the dust has settled will you appreciate what you did and start to forget how much it hurt!! Very proud of you and its been amazing to see how much you have progressed from a beginner runner to training for and completing an ultra marathon!!! So impressed you managed to finish so strong!! :) Also, loved the little good luck banners your kids did.. so lovely! :) Im sure those messages kept you moving at points right?

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Thanks Phil 🙂👍🏻 I had to try a few tricks to keep myself going, though I always knew I'd get there unless a freak injury occurred, however painful it got. Really appreciate all the advice the night before buddy. Cheers 👍🏻

  • @tayopijat
    @tayopijat Год назад +1

    Congratulations

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Thank you! 👍🏻🏃‍♂️🙂

  • @ActiveIdeas
    @ActiveIdeas Год назад +1

    Watching this has got my race-day nerves firing up 🤣 Fantastic effort Mark! 🔥 Especially on such a hot day! 👏🏼

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Awesome 😁 Hope your race goes well. Which one are you tackling this time?

    • @ActiveIdeas
      @ActiveIdeas Год назад +1

      @@markg99 spine race 🫣

  • @IRunDaily
    @IRunDaily Год назад +1

    Ahhh, Mark, such a legend! This has been such a journey for you and I'm chuffed you had a great day and ran well 😀 sorry I'm late to the party watching! Hope the legs are feeling much better now!

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Hey Ian, thanks a lot mate. Almost a week on from the race, I'm feeling good. Hamstrings a bit tight so I'm being very cautious returning to running. Really enjoyed the day, despite the pain 😁 Thanks for checking in 👍🏻🏃‍♂️

    • @IRunDaily
      @IRunDaily Год назад +1

      @@markg99 got the buzz for the next race?!

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      @@IRunDaily I'm sure I'll do another. I've got that itch to see how I can turn up fitter and stronger and improve my performance. Weird, when I was thinking Never Again from about half way round lol

    • @IRunDaily
      @IRunDaily Год назад +1

      @@markg99 yeah, it gets you like that! Making videos of it makes it worse 😂

  • @SeeChadRun
    @SeeChadRun Год назад +1

    Great job Mark!

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      😁👍🏻thanks Chad!

  • @SafeMotions
    @SafeMotions Год назад +2

    Well done for finishing strong! Good strategy and grit.

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Thanks, Stephane 👍🏻 It was probably more grit than strategy but I got there in the end 😁

    • @SafeMotions
      @SafeMotions Год назад +1

      Well, you trained your nutrition and did not take their food. Good strategy!

  • @mattgrant402
    @mattgrant402 Год назад +2

    Well done bro 😎 I’m proud of you 👍🏻

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Cheers bro! Thanks for meeting me at the end and getting those pictures. 👍🏻👍🏻

  • @freddyruns
    @freddyruns Год назад +2

    Congratulations Mark!! Maybe not make these things look so easy though!!!

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      😄👍🏻 cheers mate. It felt anything but easy lol. I must have hidden it well 😂

  • @reluctantfellrunner
    @reluctantfellrunner Год назад +1

    Congratulations Mark, great effort. Nice cup of tea now. Go Daddy would be a good name for website! Best wishes on the next?

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Cheers mate. I needed more than one cuppa after that 😁 Good thinking on the website idea 😂
      Not sure on the next one. I was thinking Never Again when I was half way round! I'll think of something good to go for though I'm sure 👍🏻🏃‍♂️

  • @jamieglazebrook7602
    @jamieglazebrook7602 Год назад

    Sorry, only just seen this. Cracking line, "I saw a squirrel, and my legs haven't fallen off'
    Well done, both in terms of the performance, the video, and of course congratulations on the marriage to Steve at the end 😆. All the best Jamie and Clare

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      😄 thanks guys! Glad you're keeping busy. The race was amazing. Just saving up for the honeymoon now lol.

  • @PaulCoatesTrailRunning
    @PaulCoatesTrailRunning Год назад +1

    Bravo on the ultra and going way past your previous maximum distance

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Hi Paul! Thanks a lot mate. Got this first ultra under my belt, now I can work towards doing one every other week like you :) Hope you're doing well.

    • @PaulCoatesTrailRunning
      @PaulCoatesTrailRunning Год назад +1

      @@markg99 - taking some time out. Picked up niggling hip injury. Just waiting for it to go

  • @raptor5498
    @raptor5498 Год назад

    Congratulations on your first 50K. Looks like a beautiful course with rolling hills.

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Thanks, Don 👍🏻 It's a really nice course with more than enough hills for me 😄

  • @SwimBikeRunStu
    @SwimBikeRunStu Год назад

    Smashed it. Well done 👌

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Cheers Stu 👍🏻 It smashed me a bit as well but it was awesome 😎

  • @colinjordan5196
    @colinjordan5196 Год назад +2

    Nice work Mark! Bit muddy, wasn't it?

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Cheers, Colin 👍🏻 There was definitely enough mud to be going on with! I'm just glad it wasn't raining as well 🙂

  • @gregory3768
    @gregory3768 Год назад +1

    Excellent work. You'll do well in the Comrades Marathon in South Africa . Its 87 km long. ❤🎉🇸🇦

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Thanks! 🙂 Comrades sounds amazing. I'm looking forward to doing longer races in future 👍🏻🏃‍♂️

    • @gregory3768
      @gregory3768 Год назад +1

      @@markg99 excellent. Stay strong. There's also the "Two Oceans" 56 km run in Cape Town . Run is from Atlantic Ocean to Indian Ocean. Exceptional scenic route. You should check it out

  • @Martakus1000
    @Martakus1000 Год назад +2

    Wow, what an amazing effort! I was really worried you wouldn't make it seeing how exhausted you were after 28km already. I'm very impressed you pulled through, and so close to your goal time even! One question though: Why is your finishing time on Strava 15min quicker than in the video? Did you pause it during checkpoints?

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Thank you! 🙂👍🏻 I was a bit worried myself at times. I wasn't expecting to be so tired so soon, and had to deal with sore, heavy legs for a lot of the race.
      I think with Strava, in the Pace section of a run, it will show Moving Time and Elapsed Time. So it will ignore periods where you are stationary during a run and give you the moving time. The elapsed time is closer to the official one, though I forgot to stop my watch straight away in all the excitement and fatigue 😁👍🏻

  • @daz_on_earth
    @daz_on_earth Год назад

    Brilliant work mate!

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Cheers Daz 😁👍🏻

  • @lornamc5928
    @lornamc5928 Год назад +1

    I really loved this video! My plan is to do this race next year. It was really helpful. However I fear the runners are more professional…I am just a keen amateur. This would be my first ultra……

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      Hi. It was a really great race with a big mix of abilities. It was my first ultra too, and definitely did a mix of walking and running. You'll be fine I'm sure. Best of luck with it 👍🏻🙂

  • @jase0171
    @jase0171 Год назад +2

    Well done mate great effort 50 miler next ? 😂😂😂

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Cheers mate 👍🏻
      It would have to be a downhill 50 miler over 5 days I think! 😁

  • @soupyruns9709
    @soupyruns9709 Год назад +2

    Fantastic job mate, congratulations on becoming an ultra runner!!!! As Mat Armstrong says, Hard Work Beats Talent 💪🏼
    So what’s your goal for next year? Sub 7, a 50 miler or a 100k? 😜

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад +1

      😂😂 cheers mate. Yeah, talent is overrated! 😋 I'm thinking of signing up for an ultra lie down. I reckon I could podium in my age category based on current fitness! 😁👍🏻

    • @soupyruns9709
      @soupyruns9709 Год назад

      @@markg99 ah mate, you definitely deserve an ultra lie down 😂😂😂 get signed up to something else, keep building on the progress 👌🏼💪🏼

  • @thelittlepotcompany
    @thelittlepotcompany 8 месяцев назад +1

    Great run and video, I'm considering entering this year for my first ultra. Did you have trail shoes on? I don't have any that fit well, thinking of getting some innov8 trailflys for this kind of thing...

    • @markg99
      @markg99  8 месяцев назад +1

      Thanks a lot 🙂👍🏻 This was my first ultra and I really enjoyed it. It's a tough one, in terms of hilly, mixed terrain, so if you get chance to train on hills and trails I'd definitely do that.
      I'd say trail shoes are a must really. It's been very wet lately. I've been out on some parts of the course and there is plenty of mud. I haven't tried the inov8 trailfly but I think any decent trail shoes that you find comfortable for a long distance should do the job. There are a few road sections on the course so if you get something that works well on most surfaces, that should cover it.
      All the best with your training. Let me know if I can answer any other queries about the Spire Ultra 👍🏻

    • @thelittlepotcompany
      @thelittlepotcompany 8 месяцев назад +1

      @@markg99 ok great, thanks for that. I did heptonstall fell race on Sunday and legs are sore so need to work on hills more. Cheers, I'll see if I can try some trail shoes before buying 👍

  • @stevemonaghanf2810
    @stevemonaghanf2810 Год назад +1

    Hi Mark. Well Done on completing Spire Ultra. Would you like to meet up for a run? Maybe do a vlog of my race Higham Hill Race route? Steve Monaghan (Strava)

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Hi Steve. Thanks a lot mate. Would be good to meet up for a run. I'm recovering from the Spire gradually 🙂

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      I've added you on Instagram so we can get in touch 👍🏻

  • @timeonfeet
    @timeonfeet Год назад +3

    Great stuff Mark, big congrats! So good to see it all come together on race day after the challenges in training with the injuries. Top support from your kids too with the motivational signs 😄 Hope the recovery is going good and well done with all your careful training and strategy on the day 👌

    • @markg99
      @markg99  Год назад

      Thanks a lot mate 🙂👍🏻 I was determined to get it done before the cut off. My strategy was probably a bit hit and miss but I managed to get close to my time target so something went right 🙂👍🏻 I'm recovering quite well really. I can walk up stairs without using my hands now.... down stairs, not so much! 😂