In this episode of the Running 44@60 podcast I’m talking to Pete Sowerby about his amazing 100 mile debut run in the famous Arc of Attrition. 

He finished in 23:42 thus taking home the coveted Black Buckle and winning his age category, not that the Arc has age categories, by over four hours.

Indeed his time would have won him the whole event in 2018.

So during the episode we talk how he started running when he was around 40 and his journey through the local runs to sub 3hr marathons, marathon running for England,  and onto the Classic Quarter, Snowdonia 50k, the Arc 50 and then the Arc 100.

And during that buildup time how with the help of the experts at The Run Lab he changed his running technique and as a result not only got faster but found that his injury rate reduced significantly.

Pete shares details of his Arc training plans including 25 mile back to backs, his nutrition plan and ultimately how it went on the day including one or two low moments the first of which arrived at only 12 miles.

At the conclusion of the episode I ask Pete for two top tips for would-be long-distance runners and they are:

Firstly try out your nutrition plan during your training, get used to eating proper food during training and find out what works for you

Secondly go out there and enjoy the event

After we finished recording he also add practicing hill walking because in the event you are going to be walking up and indeed down some of the hills so you need to practice that.

This is episode 138 of the Running 44@60 podcast. You can access and download the previous 137 episodes via your usual podcast app or on the Running 44@60 podcast page. 

Host Trevor Lee ran his own first ultra in 2021 - the 44 mile Classic Quarter - hence 44@60.  Trevor has written a book about his buildup and adventure – it is both a business and running book and is available on Amazon via this link: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon. Each sale generates £5 for Childrens Hospice South West.

Trevor's big running goal is now the Arc of Attrition 50 in January 2025. 

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The Running 44@60 podcast began as a learning / motivational tool for host Trevor Lee in his quest to run a first ever ultra - the Classic Quarter in 2021 - here's the story of Running 44@60

The first episode was broadcast in August 2019. The final episode - number 173 - went out on January 31st 2025.

Trevor wrote a book on the back of the Classic Quarter: 12 Business Lessons from Running an Ultra Marathon - all proceeds go to the Children's Hospice South West