Tom Hollins and his winter Wainwrights FKT

In this episode of the Runners World Podcast, hosts Rick and Ben interview ultra runner Tom Hollins, who recently completed a winter self-supported Wainwrights round, setting a record in the process. Tom describes the Wainwrights as 350 miles with significant elevation changes, emphasizing the importance of preparation and understanding the route. He differentiates between supported, self-supported, and unsupported events, explaining that in self-supported runs, participants must carry their own gear but can use public facilities.

Tom shares his training regimen, which included hill training for previous races. He discusses how his background in hill walking shifted to running and how he approaches multi-day events mentally by breaking them down into manageable segments. The conversation touches on nutrition, with Tom explaining his unique fueling strategy during his Wainwrights attempt, where he aimed for 10,000 calories a day using a mixture of solid and sugary foods.

Weather played a significant role in his experience, with Tom recounting harsh conditions at the start before improving in the later days. The podcast provides practical insights on essential skills for ultra running, such as pacing, navigation, and foot care. Finally, Tom shares his future plans, including participation in more ultra events, emphasizing the importance of exploring local trails and pushing personal limits.