Ultras are usually quite complicated logistically. They are usually also longer and harder than you expect. Here a few questions to ask before you enter your next Ultra. I go through this list every time I want to enter a new race
- Where does it start?
- Do you actually know where that is?
- Are you sure?
- What time does it start?
- How will you get to the start?
- Where does it finish?
- Do you know where that is?
- How will you get home?
- How far is the race?
- Do you have a reasonable hope of training to run that far?
- Does the race have cut offs?
- Are you likely to meet the cut off time?
- Do you know what the terrain is like?
- How hilly is the route?
- Do you still have a chance of making the cut offs?
- How long does it take the winner/mid pack/last finisher to complete the course?
- Still think you can finish within the cut offs?
- What time of day are you likely to finish?
- When you finish, where will your clothes/car keys/car be?
- Will it still be daylight when you finish?
- Do you need a support crew?
- Will you need drop bags?
- Do you know what the drop bag rules are?
- When does race entry open?
- How do you enter?
- How quickly did it fill up last year?
- Does the race have a web site or Facebook page?
- Have you read either of them?
- Does the race fit round the other races in your schedule and give you time to train/recover?
- Do you know why you are entering this race?
