Ultrarunning
Love running wild? Ultra runner Joel Jaile shares his top tips for running some of the toughest terrain on the planet.
Planning a long distance running adventure? Joel Jaile is a Spanish ultra runner who has taken on some of the most arduous ultra runs on the planet – including running 866km across the whole of the Pyrenees, the Yukon artic and the Gobi desert. Below are the five things that Joel thinks you need to know before you set off. If you're underprepared don't say we didn't warn you. Over to you Joel...
1. Make sure you're confident navigating with a paper map
Normally in any ultra distance event I go to it is essential to understand both GPS navigation and maps. The tracks are usually not marked and in some races the temperatures are well below zero degrees so electronics may not work. It is key is to be able to read and navigate with a paper map.
2. Take a security device
This type of extreme endurance challenge involves a significant amount of days outdoors in severe weather, isolated from civilization and a lot of fatigue after after running so many hours on lack of sleep. It is in these conditions that your mind can work against you – and when a security tool becomes crucial if you need to ask for help.
I take safety very seriously and I trust Globalstar for that, I always carry the SpotGen3 for safety. My family and friends can check my progress online anywhere I go training or racing as it has live satelite tracking. I can also call for rescue in case of emergency. The device can save your life and it improves security evacuation and emergency assistance procedures.
3. Plan your food in advance
In order to face any extreme event with tough physical endurance demands it is key to have an adecuate nutritional plan before. For the challenge itself make sure you have planned the logistics – figure out how many calories you need and choose the best supplies and foods that your body can take in the smallest possible portions.
4. Make sure you know your equipment
Before you set off make sure that you're familiar with your kit and know how to use it! If you don't prepare properly be prepared to fail.
5. Understand your limits
You have to know yourself when facing an endurance challenge – and where your limits are. I've learnt this through years of experience, dealing with things like hallucinations and nerve wracking situations. When things go wrong you need to have a cool head to make the right decisions. Prepare for every situation and know in advance how you'd deal with possible adversities.