Details

Name:  Dominic Osman-Allu

Occupation: Pharmacist

Home Town: Lewes, East Sussex 

Questions 

What is your running background?

Always told myself I would do a marathon before I was 40, didn’t , but the first Brighton marathon was just before my 45th so entered it. Tried training on my own but boredom and lack of willpower drove me to seek out my local running club – Lewes AC.  Discovered the enjoyment of running with others, loved it ever since

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

Did my first, the SDW 50 in 2016. Why? Like many others I read Born To Run, sort of made sense

When or where (at which events) are we most likely to see you?

All my Ultra marathons , and there have only been 8, have been Centurion events . The rest is all just local stuff in Sussex from the East Sussex Sunday cross country league, West Sussex Fun Run League and Sussex Trail Events

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

Sub 21 hour in my first two SDW100s, 2nd V50 at the NDW50 in 2018

What was your hardest race experience?

The NDW 100 last weekend, heat stress causing grim levels of nausea that trumped anything my legs wanted to do. Very glad to go home after 42 miles.

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

Not entirely certain as it is going to be heat dependent – see previous answer as to why .

What does a typical training week look like?

Two run Tuesday,6-10 miles in the morning, same again in the evening  leading a social run, Thursday evening  track, Saturday Parkrun or cross country racing , Sunday long run 10-25 miles. That  is a very rough approximation.

What one tip would you pass onto people running an Ultra marathon for the first time?

It’s more mental than physical so you need to think that you are actually enjoying it, and the feeling at the finish will obliterate (hopefully) all the negatives.

Can you tell us one interesting fact about yourself?

I really do not like road running.

Spartathlon Questions

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

No, first timer

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

It’s been called The Greatest Race on Earth. What’s not to look forward to?

What are you not looking forward to during the Spartathlon race?

Ahhhh, now you mention it, I need to work out how to handle the heat if it is stupid hot.

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

By trying really hard not to get Covid-19

Will you be bringing any support crew to the race? (If so, please introduce them briefly)

No