Name: Ian Thomas

Occupation: Retired Project Manager

Home Town: Norwich

Socials: Website/blog: ultraian.wordpress.com

Questions

What is your running background?

I’ve run recreationally over the years but started racing in earnest in 2009 age fifty. Initially focusing on road racing 5k to Marathons before venturing into Ultra’s.
It’s never too late to push the boundaries! I’ll be 64 come race day and will continue as long as I’m able.

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

I dipped by toe in the water in 2011 after achieving the first of my sub 3 marathons. It was the Marriott’s Way Ultra (36m), a low key free event on my main training route at that time in Norwich. Beginners luck saw me win the event and set a new course record, which fortuitously stood for 5 years before being beaten in 2016.

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

Any Ultra’s really but usually 100 mile plus, in addition to some 24hr track races and of course Spartathlon. I’m tempted to revisit the Canal series which were really my springboard.

I recently tackled Badwater 135 which I’d avoided until now due to overall cost and some self doubt that I’d get in but I was fortunate to secure a place having never crewed which is generally a prerequisite.

I ventured into the 24hr track arena debuting at Barcelona in December 2016 and have since completed Energia 24 (Belfast), Athens 24hr and most recently Crawley and Gloucester where I’ve enjoyed some success.

Events like UTMB, Spine, MDS have never really inspired me. I prefer pure non-stop running events tackled without the aid of poles.
I’d like to tackle the Pheidippides Run and JOGLE at some point, it’s just a case of when.

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

• Seven consecutive Spartathlon’s, Best in 2016 as first Brit in (29:14:36)
• Completing SpartathlOFF2020, the year the official race was cancelled due to Covid.
• Oldest Brit to complete Spartathlon / oldest Brit to complete in under 30 hours. Sorry had to get that in 🙂
• Badwater 135 Debut (2023) 5th fastest All time Brit. (Could and should have done better though)
• Currently GB V60 6 hour, 50 mile, 12 hour and 100 mile ‘All time’ Best Performances.
• 3rd place GUCR (2016) in 27:43 and 1 st place LLCR130 (2016) 24:28 (not my PB)
• 2 sub 3 marathons when I was age 52 (2011) and 53 (2012)

What Races do you have planned up to Spartathlon 2023

Crawley 6 hour – April – Completed PB/AG Best
Buddy run GUCR 70 miles – May – Completed
Badwater 135 – July – Completed
Gloucester 24hr August (12hr split) Completed

What was your hardest experience?

Really difficult to choose between finishing Spartathlon in 2018 with an injury with 50 miles still to go or achieving an AQ at Athens 24hr in 2019 where I risked running with an injury from the start. It was an insane and reckless decision but the draw of an AQ was too great. Thankfully I got it.

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

Historically I tend to go out reasonably fast as I prefer to run well whilst I can which seems ill advised. This is especially so at Spartathlon as it’s easy to overcook the first 50 miles and potentially pay a heavy price.

However, I have been more conservative of late due to my experiences at 24hr races, where I have experimented with a more even paced strategy – to good effect at Athens, Crawley and Gloucester.

Nutrition: fruit, raisins or anything else easily digestible, stay hydrated mainly via Tailwind, but also partial to chocolate milk drink which has worked well for me in the past. I avoid gels like the plague usually but I’m currently trialling Mountain Fuel.

What does a typical training week look like?

It varies but on the approach to Spartathlon my best results have been via 80-130 mile plus weeks, incorporating lots of hills via ‘Doubles’ sessions.

This year I’ll focus on a similar approach with ninety nine per cent of miles executed on roads to build the necessary strength for Spartathlons’ unforgiving course.

I’ll also be continuing with strength and flexibility work with strength focused on unilateral leg exercises, Deadlifts, core work, plyometrics and weight vest hiking which worked so well for me at Badwater.

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

Just focus on the ‘now’ and dismiss the distance from your mind. It is good to visualise your finish though and know that you will cross that line, come what may!

Tell us one interesting fact about you?

In 2020 when Spartathlon was cancelled for the first time in its history due to Covid, myself, James Ellis and Ektoras Agathokleous ran the route in an unofficial version of the race we termed SpartathlOFF.

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

Yes in 2015 / 16 / 17 / 18, 19, 21, 22

How did you get on?

31:33 (2015), 29:14:36 (2016) slower years 33:32 (2017) and 34:53 (2018) largely due to niggles.

Improved slightly again 2019, 21, 22 but hoping added focus this year will yield a return to form.

What tip would you pass on to those taking part for the first time?

Ensure that a high proportion of training mileage is completed on roads. Exclusively running trail is risky.

Logic dictates that you avoid building a big buffer over the first 50 miles, especially given that cut-offs are disproportionately more aggressive over the first third. Just stay calm and in control.

However, I know I should practice what I preach and always heed this advice but I have opted for fast starts myself but that seems to work for me.

Be prepared for the long tough haul to mountain base and again from Tegea to Sparta. This race isn’t just about the mountain! It most certainly is about the finish though!

Be prepared for the potentially cold transition across the Plains of Tripolis (post the mountain) and dress appropriately. Don’t get caught out! That said, cold is my achilles heel it may not be yours.

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

The whole journey, build up, pre-race get-togethers with fellow runners, the start at the Acropolis, the magical journey, reaching the foot of King Leonidas, witnessing others kiss the foot, the amazing welcome in Sparti It’s simply unforgettable!

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

The descent of the mountain. I really need to master technical trail descents with confidence. I’ve only managed it once with any style in 2016 (which coincidentally was my PB year), whereas the mountain goats amongst us manage to skip down with ease.

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

High mileage on roads, Badwater 135, a 100 miler, plus some additional strength, speed and flexibility training.
Speed hiking steep hills with weight vest has proven effective for me so I’ll be utilising this as I did for Badwater.

I’m also utilising collagen supplementation via one of our great sponsors this year ‘Pura Collagen’ and believe that so far it is helping with my recovery from tough workouts.

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

I’ll be crewed this year by my wonderful wife and the amazing Jamie Holmes. You can however run it successfully with or without crew as I and others have done.