Name: Dean Bennett

Occupation: Maintenance Engineer

Home Town:  Wellington, Somerset 

Questions

What is your running background?

I was never sporty. I enjoyed cross country at school for a while until I decided it was way cooler to just hide around the corner and smoke instead.

I started running again in my early forties, partly because I’d read that it would strengthen the muscles around my knees and stop them aching all the time (it worked) and partly because I was starting to take more interest in my health.
I ran on my own regularly for a couple of years before joining a running club and entering a few local 10Ks and HMs.

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

I fell in with the wrong crowd. There’s a large number of ultra runners in my club and a few of them had entered the 2020 Exmoor Perambulation. I thought I’d give it a go and really enjoyed it, even the tough bits.

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

I prefer more low key events but they still have to have a particular challenge to make it interesting. I’m partial to a hill or two and love running in the Brecon Beacons.

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

For me, they’re the things I generally keep to myself.

Times when I’ve overcome particularly tough times during a race or had to solve problems on the go, all these things make me a more capable runner and more prepared for the next race.

What was your hardest race experience?

It was my only DNF to date and was at the King Alfred’s Way. I didn’t have the know-how to look after my feet properly and suffered for it, I binned it at 153 miles but learned a lot. It was a one-off event so I haven’t been able to put things right but if it’s ever on again, I’m there!

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

It varies a lot. Sometimes I prepare a detailed schedule if I’m after a specific time and others I’ll set my watch to the map screen at the beginning and not check any stats until after I’ve finished, it depends what I want from that race.

What does a typical training week look like?

40-50 miles a week over four or five runs and a couple of S&C sessions which probably makes me low mileage compared to others in the team.

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

Don’t expect to get everything right, just think of it as training for the next one.

Can you tell us one interesting fact about yourself?

I used to be interesting but gave up alcohol a couple of years ago and embraced a duller life, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

No

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

The camaraderie of being in a team and the opportunity to push myself further than I have done before.
Also, I haven’t been abroad for over five years so that’s pretty exciting too.

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

Nothing, it’s all part of the experience.

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

Maybe a few extra miles, definitely more S&C and plenty of passive and active heat training.

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

No