One More Loop... the journey to Ultra Backyard Taipei begins (and first DNF):)

I did hear about Ultra Backyard format before but never considered to participate .... was always thinking I am not that crazy... but seems I am. After completing 50km UTMB in Hong Kong,I was thinking what next but then after Taipei Marathon IT Band syndrome hit me... I manage to get it under control and I am back to running.... and then Ultra Backyard Taipei comes along!

When I got news that next year such event will happen here in Taipei and on top of that very close to my home... I start considering it. After watching some youtube videos and documentaries about that format of ultra running (links below)...I made my decision and signed up to something that 2 years ago I would just said "never":) But never say never!

The format is "simple": You are running 6,7 km (4 mile) loop every hour on an hour until everyone drops out. Only one winner, everyone else will get DNF. No time or distance limit! Sounds crazy doesn't it?:)

Now I have 12 weeks to get ready and will try to document my road to that crazy event over here on weekly basis. I do not have specific training plan I just will try to increase slowly my milage (on the road and trail - right now doing 40km per week). Let's see how it goes!

Out of these 12 weeks, 3 I will be back home in Poland with very low temperatures, will try to squeeze as many runs as possible. 2nd half of December I will be running Taipei Marathon but will treat it as long training run for backyard.

My goal is ..... I do not have any really.. initially was thinking 10 loops which will equal to 67km... but I think for the first time I will go with no goal.... ok maybe one goal... to go as a far I can...

As Lazarus Lake said about this format: "The hardest part is getting from the chair to the start line" which I think it also applies to anything else we do in our lives!

Some more information about this format here:

https://runivore.com/taipei-backyard-ultra-january-11-2025/

Some good youtube videos about Ultra Backyard:

https://youtu.be/vc4yEqBx9J0?si=mgdUOfSrN-V9-KWa

https://youtu.be/7mpVPVcHJ04?si=dFHH9lcZ-b1CBhm2

https://youtu.be/xphtYt7ZJzw?si=NgsHHzpyvF5uQd_t

Let's the preparations begin!:)