Mammoth march and ultramarathon: if we want to continue
This story is about sport that makes everyone happy who wants to keep running and hiking. Here it's all about mammoth marches, ultramarathons and stage runs - and therefore about the unimaginably long distances. We took a look at these endurance achievements for the really tough ones and found out that these mammoth tasks can also be solved for those who are just starting out in endurance sports. Of course not in record time, certainly with breaks or even one or two DNFs (“did not finish”) at the beginning – but doable. Step by step.
Because that's the beauty of endurance sports: If you know your limits and leave your ego behind before you start running or hiking, anything is possible. For example, a crazy tour of Germany from Bremerhaven to the Zugspitze. Who did that? The three women of Beat the Miles : Salomé, Phelia and Malou covered almost 900 kilometers in 36 days - sometimes running, sometimes hiking. At the end of our story they will tell you in an interview what they experienced, what tips they have for beginners and how they came up with the idea for the Germany tour.
Mammoth March and Mega March: What are they actually?
A hike over extreme distances that should be completed in a certain amount of time is also known as a mammoth march or mega march. As a rule, it is a 100 km march that has to be completed in 24 hours. The best-known variant is still 50 kilometers – in 12 hours!
The terms are also firmly linked to the respective sporting events organized by German pioneers of the extreme march. If you feel like it, you can actually take part in a mammoth march or mega march every month in 2022. Well organized and well protected, for example by www.mammutmarsch.de and www.megamarsch.de .
Of course you can also carry out your own mammoth marches. And whether it's 40, 80 or 120 kilometers doesn't matter much - because in the end you're hiking for yourself.
Your first mammoth march: 3 tips for beginners
As a beginner on the Mammoth March, is that even a good idea? Aren't only the best of the best taking part? Not at all! Of course, on every mammoth or mega march there are advanced people and professionals who will walk away from you when you're at the very beginning. But the real thing here is: the journey is the destination. Do this for yourself. And it's going to be great.
Keyword training plan: Preparation is important for the mammoth march
Of course, you can also take part in a 50 or 100 km march without any prior training. But that will be a really tight box. Therefore the tip: prepare (at least) in the last month or two before the march. Light endurance exercises and shorter hikes will get you in shape. Two to three additional longer training marches with higher stress will test your inner weaker self and show you where you still have deficits. Try to hike 20 to 30 kilometers at a time - even in bad weather or at night. This way you'll find out very quickly where you stand - before the actual mammoth march begins. You can also pay more attention to your diet and sleep in preparation for your mega march. A lot of sleep and a balanced supply of carbohydrates are important, especially shortly before the start - these replenish your glycogen stores. And you will need it, believe us.
The equipment and food for the mammoth march must be appropriate
So that you start the mega march well equipped, we recommend a packing list. The top priority is to have hiking boots and hiking socks that are already broken in and that you know fit like a glove. Never, really never try out new shoes or socks until you actually walk 50 or 100 km. Otherwise it quickly feels like 400 kilometers.
Next point: food. On the official mammoth or mega march, there are supply points (VP) along the route that offer you and your body everything you need. And you'll need a lot because your body will burn more than 5,000 calories while marching. Nevertheless, our tip: Even on organized marches, you should always have food with you in your backpack. Sometimes the VPs have already been emptied when you arrive - or the food you find is not yours at all. Our tip: put ourisotonic drinks in your bottle and our suppliers of quickly available carbohydrates in your backpack. Whether Endurance Trial Pack , Hydration Pack or our Liquid Gel Mix package : We will replenish your glycogen stores.
One last tip for your packing list: a change of clothing and weather protection. The feeling when you can put on fresh socks after dozens of kilometers cannot be described by any word in the world. And unfortunately, neither does the feeling of tormenting yourself kilometer after kilometer when you're soaked...
A 50 or 100 km mega march is always a matter of your head
Whether you are a beginner, advanced or professional: on a mammoth hike you will challenge your inner weaker self. And the best preparation doesn't help much on a 100km march if after 10km you're just thinking about giving up. Therefore: Visualize your big goal and set yourself small goals along the way. And always take one mental step at a time. As a beginner, you don’t have to worry about “winning”. Especially because in the mammoth march, reaching the goal is the greatest victory. Therefore, go at your own pace and look for others who are happy to keep up with your pace - together you are less likely to be alone with your burning legs.
Ultramarathon and stage run: When 42 kilometers of running isn't enough
An ultramarathon refers to all marathons that cover a distance of more than 42.195. Classics are distances of over 75 to 100 kilometers, but crazy events like the TorTour de Ruhr (the next one in May 2024) also offer distances of more than 200 kilometers! In stage running, sometimes very large distances are covered in individual stages. If one of these stages is longer than the marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers, you are dealing with a stage ultramarathon.
Want to run longer? 3 tips for ultramarathon newbies
Ultramarathons and stage races are no walk in the park. Distances of more than 42 kilometers demand respect. Preparation, nutrition and mentality play a huge role. These three tips may help you approach your first ultramarathon more relaxed and effectively:
No ultramarathon without a training plan
Without a certain basic fitness it doesn't work. If you are already a runner and have even completed one or two marathons, this should not be an issue for you. However, if you are not yet very fit, you should get in shape in good time. Cyclical training in advance, where you gradually increase the intensity, can work wonders here. Running groups, running clubs or even a professional coach who will work with you to develop a training plan for the ultramarathon are the best allies here.
Eat, eat, eat: the food for the ultramarathon
Many people think about hydration when they think about (ultra) marathons. In fact, nutrition is almost even more important during an ultramarathon. The reason: You can only replenish your glycogen stores if you constantly supply yourself with carbohydrates etc. And you need this because the enormous endurance strain will demand everything from your body. Energy* Bars , Liquid Gels , Energy* Gums and of course ourisotonic drinks can provide you not only with quickly available carbohydrates, but also with minerals, proteins and even caffeine if you want.
Equipment and mindset for the ultramarathon: Make yourself comfortable!
When it comes to equipment, it's best to rely on worn-in shoes that you can trust. Be sure to pack fresh socks and store food etc. in your backpack. Don’t forget weather protection like caps or rain ponchos! And please pack the right mindset right away: divide your strength, run for yourself and not against others - and above all, throw the unpleasant motto “giving up is not an option” overboard. If nothing works anymore, then nothing works anymore. DNF (did not finish) is no shame at all. And much healthier than continuing to overtax your body out of false pride...
@beatthemiles
Three women, one passion: Beat the Miles in an interview
Salomé Gabler (22) and the sisters Malou (23) and Phelia (21) Müller simply cannot stop running. Whether it's ultramarathons or extreme hikes: If you look at the three of them on TikTok or Instagram, it's clear: running is their passion. In the rain, at night, on forest paths - or from north to south through Germany. You read that right: The three who call themselves Beat the Miles have completed a tour of Germany covering almost 900 kilometers in 36 days. Always with you: Dextro Energy*. We asked them a few questions after their return:
Hi you three! How did you actually get started running?
We got into running through Malou and Phelia's mother. At first we hated it, then tried it out and learned to love it. About a year ago we opened a running account on Instagram to share our love of running with others. Our first project was a 60km ultra around Lake Chiemsee. Since then, we have regularly taken our followers with us on our tours, runs, competitions and in everyday life. Our priority is always to have fun.
You recently returned from your 2022 German tour, what was that about? How did you come up with the idea?
Last year in August we cycled and walked from the French border to the Austrian border. So once horizontally through Germany. This year, of course, we wanted to improve and then ran and hiked from Bremerhaven up to the Zugspitze. Malou came up with the idea because she was reading a book by Joey Kelly at the time. It was about how he once ran through Germany. Of course he was a lot faster than us, but he was still a huge inspiration.
What were your best experiences on your tour through Germany?
The start was definitely a highlight because we had running support from our spectators on our first stage. The first shower was also a highlight; we learned to appreciate the most normal things anew on our tour anyway. Jumping into the lake along the route on extremely hot days, for example, was also a highlight. On the tour, every encounter with spectators and fans was super cool. And it was also exciting to see how you can shock or inspire people with your actions. Otherwise, the last stage in particular was crazy. The hike to the Zugspitze and the overnight stay in the Knorrhütte were an unforgettable experience. The view we had and the peace and quiet in nature were just super relaxing and perfect for our final sprint.
How did you motivate yourself day after day? What were the biggest challenges on your mammoth march in 2022?
In fact, we had no problems with our motivation, we were up for the tour and knew what we were getting ourselves into. And even if everything didn't go as planned, in the end everything was perfect. The biggest challenge was always finding a place to sleep. We had a tarp with us that we set up in the forest or sometimes in people's gardens, but finding a suitable place wasn't that easy. And the days on which we did 40 or more kilometers weren't actually planned. That was the challenge: convincing the head to go further.
What are your tips for newbies? What do I have to pay attention to if I want to plan and do a mammoth march or ultramarathon myself?
EAT, EAT, EAT AND DRINK! Seriously: Drinking is important during a sporting challenge anyway, but the thought of drinking is not as tempting as the thought of delicious food. So you should definitely take something tasty with you and enough of it to last until the end. Because food gives you energy and is a great motivator.
We also recommend sufficient training, otherwise something like this can quickly go wrong and result in injuries. In addition, a trip depends on the equipment. If you get wet, you lose, but if you have moisture protection with you, everything is easy. This also applies to sleep: weather protection means good nights.
What was the food like on your mammoth march?
Before we set off in the morning we all mixed the ISO drink , and after 10 to 15 km we had our first breakfast, usually just bread. In between there were always smaller snacks, for example the Energy* Gums or now and then a Liquid Gel .
In the evening we cooked and usually drank a BCAA with it. We have to say that the liquid gels and gums saved us, especially on our last stage up to the Zugspitze.
What do you still want to achieve, what are your next goals?
We definitely want to tackle 100km or more by running and hiking.
Is there anything else you want to get rid of?
Feel free to follow us on Instagram and TikTok: @beatthemiles :)
*contains carbohydrates
A varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important.
IMAGE CREDITS
Header image: @beatthemiles
