Training for an Ultra Marathon on a Tiny Island in The Maldives

Embarking on the challenge of training for a 65-kilometer ultra trail marathon is no small feat. But imagine adding another layer of complexity by living on an island that's just 600 meters long and 150 meters wide.

To be precise, I have a loop that measures 500 meters. As if that weren't challenging enough, the island is essentially one massive construction site, making it practically impossible to run after 6 a.m., seven days a week

Why do we willingly put obstacles such as this in our own paths? This story will give a short insight into my experince training for a 65-kilometer ultra marathon on a tiny island. It's not just about physical training; it's about pushing boundaries and testing my limits in unconventional ways.

This theme will likely be a recurring thread in many of the stories shared on Endure Story. Why do we feel compelled to keep pushing our boundaries? Why is it good not to be satisfied with standing still? These questions are at the heart of every endurance journey. By sharing stories of all kinds of endurance adventures, I hope to provide some answers and insights.

It's in our nature to seek challenges and to strive for growth. By constantly testing our limits, we discover new strengths and capabilities within ourselves. Standing still may feel safe, but it doesn't lead to growth or self-discovery. Through the stories shared on Endure Story, I hope to inspire you to embrace your own challenges and to realize that taking that next step towards your adventure is closer than you think.

I am now five months into my training, with around three weeks until my 65-kilometer ultra marathon. Let's just say it has been one of the most challenging endurance adventures I have ever undertaken. No, I have not been able to log all the miles I should have for my legs to be physically ready for the ultra event. However, I feel I have sharpened my mind – and just the idea of running 65 kilometers with no loops makes me super excited.

I am by no means a pro runner – I wouldn't even call myself a particularly good runner. But I have some experience, having covered multiple marathons and a single 100k over the last 10 years. I run because it is tough, and in those tough moments, you learn and discover your true self. But back to the loops on the island: looking back, this was perhaps more than I could handle. But on the other hand, there is something interesting about the training being the hardest part of an upcoming endurance event. In this case, it has been more mentally challenging than physically.

Since I don't have endless roads and exciting trails to explore, as you normally would during ultra marathon training, I've had to get creative with my training methods. I've sought out alternative ways to challenge my body and build endurance. Let me highlight that I am no expert – these are just my own thoughts and experiences. I show up every single day, adapting my workouts to the constraints of the island. I run during long fasts to build mental and physical resilience. When construction allows, I lace up my shoes and run during peak sun hours, enduring temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius to acclimate to extreme conditions. Additionally, I've incorporated barefoot running in the sand to strengthen my feet and improve my balance. So basically, the takeaway is that for every excuse not to train, there is also an opportunity to do so.

Still, one could argue that if you looked purely at running performance, my training has not been optimal. And it is not sectret that where I am today my running form is not where it should be so close to running 65 kilometers. It is easy to come up with excuses for why that is (one of them being this tiny island, of course!). However, I do feel strong mentally and have developed strengths other than just my legs that can endure endless miles. I feel that when tough moments arrive on race day and I have to dig deep, I can look back at the past five months on the island and find what I need to complete the run.

I will write a race recap after I hopefully complete my 65k run in Norway on June 22, summing up all my reflections from my first run on this island to the finish line in Norway. Hopefully, it can inspire you to take action on your next endurance adventure and not let anything or anyone limit you.