Ben Nevis Ultra 2023

Last Sunday I stood at a start line in the Scottish Highlands surrounded by professional ultra-runners.

I was not one of them, weighing 30lbs more than most.

My mind kept saying: “This is an epic mistake!"

Here’s what happened and 7 lessons you can use to forge a stronger you:

I’ve taken on a few scary challenges in my life, but most of them were all about perseverance (i.e. “embracing the suck”). Whether it was the 52-hour Navy Seal-style training back in 2016 or multiple Spartan Ultra races, I always knew I would get through it, if I just didn’t quit.

The Ben Nevis Ultra was different. Dozens of people fail to complete it every year, due to the time cut-offs. Meaning I had to train differently, change my mental game and approach the race like a professional athlete.

Here are some of the lessons I learned before, during and after the 11-hour crucible.

1. Setting Scary Goals

My biggest motivation for training year-round is my kids because a fit parent is a better parent.

But what does fit mean? Is it working out 3 times a week for 30 minutes? For some that might be enough, but it isn’t for me.

Yet if I have nothing I’m training for, my training discipline and intensity can quickly slip. Signing up for this race scared me. Speaking with other people who had done the race before, I know my background isn’t typical. But so what?

The biggest badge of honour awaits at the other end of facing scary goals, which is to be a “common person doing uncommon things”. Because in that process we re-define our limits and slay the inner demons trying to hold us back.

2. Trust your preparation

I had spent months getting ready for the race. Following a Hybrid training plan: sprints, long steady runs, upper body lifts, lower body strengthening and 100+ miles in the local hills.

My nutrition was dialled in, I had the gear I needed and I had visualised the challenge multiple times in my head.

The fear of our big goals can be an amazing ally. It forces us to work harder, think deeper and transform our mental game in the lead-up. And when all that is left to do is execute our goal, we need to trust in the time and energy we spent to get us here.

3. Run your race

The race was a 32-mile trek over several mountains in the Scottish Highlands, including the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis.

But before we got to the famous mountain, we had several smaller hills to run over, or in my case aggressively walk up. Getting passed by several runners who clearly felt at ease just floating over the inclines was demotivating.

That voice came back into my head with the message: “This is a mistake! Look at everybody else, you won’t make it!”.

Comparing ourselves to others can be a useful tool at times, if they exhibit characteristics or achievements we are after ourselves. But the true comparison always has to be You Vs You. Run your race and accept whatever outcome knowing you gave it your best.

4. Just don’t stop

After 4 hours into the race, it was time to scramble over a 3,000ft high ridge line and then make my way up a massive boulder field to Ben Nevis.

My legs were cramping badly, I had nearly run out of water, and the wind and rain were sucking out my remaining energy leaving me exhausted.

But what was the alternative? Just sit down and rest? Give up?

No, once we have committed to the pursuit of our goals, accomplishing what we set out do to often just relies on one thing: Just don’t stop! Keep moving, accept that it’s difficult but also remember that time will pass anyway, you might as well keep pushing forward.

5. Empty the tank

The scariest part about the race for me was the time cut-offs. I found myself at the top of Ben Nevis at 13.40 and I had to get down the 4,413ft to the next checkpoint before 15.00.

It was by no means the end of the race (as this checkpoint was at around 19 miles), but if I didn’t make it, the race would be over anyway.

That hour of flying down the mountain went by in a blur as I entered a flow state. Left foot, right foot, left foot… just a singular focus.

There are moments when holding back might cost us everything we have worked hard towards. Moments that define us. And if you’re committed to reaching that next level in your personal growth journey, you have to at times just empty the tank.

6. Be grateful when facing adversity

The last part of the race was by far the hardest mentally.

Over 10 miles of very little change in scenery, the wind getting stronger all the time, light fading and just the unquenching desire to just ‘be done with it’.

In those dark moments, it’s important to remember that we have often chosen this path. We don’t have to do it, we GET TO do it. I was conscious that my family let me go and chase this goal, and to honour that support meant to show gratitude and turn that negative mindset around.

7. Enjoy the pain

Running through the finish line after 11 hours on my feet felt amazing.

Within 5 minutes of finishing, I started to shiver as my body temperature took a nosedive and my legs began to seize up.

That pain only intensified over the next 48 hours and my body only started to feel normal again on day 4 post-race. But, as sick as it might sound, I LOVE that pain.

Pushing past our comfort zone requires effort but also adjustment afterwards. That pain though is EARNED. You did this, you got this far and you’re evolving into a new and better version of yourself. And that’s what it is all about.