BONUS UTMB WINNERS EPISODE

In this episode of The Runners World Podcast, hosts Rick Pearson and Ben Hobson dive deep into the exciting world of ultra running with the recent winners of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), Tom Evans and Ruth Croft. UTMB is hailed as one of the most prestigious events in trail running, covering 106 miles around Chamonix, France, with significant elevation changes.

Tom shares his surreal feelings about winning, discussing the contrast between the attention he received in Chamonix and his normal life back home. He highlights the importance of the right footwear for recovery and reveals that he wore a prototype Asics trail shoe during the race, emphasizing the gear's evolution and significance for performance.

Both runners reflect on their race strategies, with Tom emphasizing patience and a positive mindset stemming from personal life changes, such as the birth of his daughter. He adopted a new approach to training that prioritized enjoyment over just suffering, and he found that this changed his performance positively.

Ruth talks about her own UTMB experience, detailing the challenges presented by weather conditions and her nutritional strategies. She relied on easily consumable liquids during the race, learned from previous experiences, and adapted to ensure she was efficient with aid stations.

The discussion also touches on hiking strategies in ultra races, with both Tom and Ruth acknowledging its importance in their success. They share insights on their mental preparation, emphasizing the need to manage emotions and energy throughout the race. They conclude by expressing the desire to improve in future races, regardless of their recent successes.