When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.
Confucius
The Last One Standing
You may have heard a bit about this type of racing recently, due to the superhuman efforts of Phil Gore and Sam Harvey at Dead Cow Gully with 101 loops, before Harvey Lewis then broke the record at Big’s with 108 loops.
So what is a Last One Standing Race or Backyard Ultra?
Format:
Race Setting: Participants run a looped course, often in a backyard or a trail, typically around 4.167 miles (6.706 kilometers).
Race Duration: The race has no set distance. Instead, it continues until only one runner remains, and everyone else in the race is a DNF.
Loop Timing: Runners must complete one loop within a set time limit of an hour.
Next Loop: After finishing a loop, runners have the remaining time until the next loop begins to rest, eat, or do whatever they need.
Elimination: If a runner fails to complete a loop within the hour, they are eliminated from the race.
Winner: The last remaining runner, who completes the final loop when all others have been eliminated, is declared the winner.
This format continues until only one runner is left standing, hence the name "Last One Standing Backyard Ultra." It's a test of both physical endurance and strategic pacing as runners need to manage their energy over an extended period, adapting to the challenge of completing a loop every hour.
I remember being captivated by the format in 2020 when Harvey was the ‘assist’ which is the last person to DNF, going down to Courtney Dauwalter, after what was then 68-hours.
Back then that felt like an incredible amount, even now it still is a ridiculous amount of loops, but it’s incredible to see the evolution of the race format and strategies in the last couple of years, which has seen runners push their absolute limits.
I guess then it raises the question about why I want to do this format?
I’m not the fastest person in the world, and the LOS format is one that can humble even the best athlete, ones that can run far more than the required amount. Because at the end of the hour you start where you began, and as long as you complete the loop within the hour you can continue.
It means that at the start of each hour everyone is in the same place. For runners like me it’s a unique opportunity to run with people that would usually be tens of hours in front of me when it comes to ultra marathons. That’s highly motivating, and it was when I did last year’s Gumbaby, but I came in injured, and well below my best, and this year I’d like to get to get to a miler, or as my friend Linda says ‘see the sun’, but noting how hard that is to achieve given the race record is 32 loops, I know how hard I have to work between now and April 27.
The Great Ultra Mediocre Back Yarder
So what makes the GUMBY so difficult? It’s on a fire trail near Blue Range Hut, where there is patches of reception, but certainly not at the start line. It’s an isolation station that involves 180 metres of climbing each loop.
It’s also a silver ticket event, which means that this year’s winner will get to represent Australia in the Backyard Satellite Competition, running with some of the country’s best endurance athletes, what an honour that would be to represent the country, there is also a $1,000 kitty to the winner.
Ultra Mediocre the club that runs the event is also very unique, so the race itself provides an incredible atmosphere, and there is no doubt that this year’s race promises to be one to be remembered.
Outside of my training, things I’m looking to nail across the next 4 months include my nutrition. I find that I can eat pretty much anything and run without too much stomach trouble, but the game plan is to roll with Tailwind combination of both the natural and caffeine varieties, as well as utilise the products from Precision Hydration including their flow gels and salt tablets.
I’m hoping to detail my training here, in much the same way I did with Kosci, so feel free to follow along and learn from my triumphs and mistakes!
What’s Beyond That?
Sri Chimnoy Canberra have just announced the 100 kilometre race will be on August 4th. This is the race I was hoping to do last year, but deferred due to my injury. I feel there is an adequate amount of time between GUMBY and SC100 to get ready, and without any other big races in the plans, this year looks like a quiet one.
That said though, I think two big ultra races, with a smattering of shorter races where you aren’t going at full tilt is a good way to test race strategy and a few other aspects you need to tick off.
The long term goal of course is to one day get to Coast to Kosci, and I know while it’s a few years away, being able to take on some learnings from the best ultra and ultra trail runners in the country has been a blessing.
Later this year I’m hopeful of being a part of the race for the first time, and if you saw the incredible work done by Rob Mason last year, you’ll know what I’m talking about.
And of course Peak2Soon is ticking on after a nice little break, there is a few chats coming I hope you enjoy!
New Year’s Goals Are Good But…
I've come to appreciate that while goal setting is undoubtedly valuable, it's not the sole ingredient for a fulfilling life. It's like having a roadmap – helpful for navigating and reaching your destination, but equally important is enjoying the scenery along the way.
Two years ago I was so focused on achieving my goals that I almost missed out on the unexpected joys and opportunities that presented themselves spontaneously. A friend gently reminded me that there's beauty in the unplanned moments, the detours that take us to unexpected places.
Since then, I've learned to strike a balance. While I still set and pursue my goals, I've become more attuned to the present moment. Some of life's most cherished experiences happen when we allow ourselves to deviate from the script and savor the journey itself.
So, yes, set those goals and work towards them earnestly, but don't forget to relish the process. Life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it, and sometimes the most meaningful moments are the ones we didn't plan for. It's the delicate dance between ambition and appreciation that makes the tapestry of life truly rich and fulfilling.
Excited to follow this journey with you Brent :)