Next weekend, I’ll be standing on the start line of a 100km ultra marathon along the Jurassic Coast - a route famous for its rugged beauty, brutal climbs, and more than 2300m of ascent. It’s a challenge that once felt almost impossible, but over the past few months, my training has transformed that distant goal into something real, exciting, and within reach.
Since January, I’ve been steadily building the foundations I’ll need for a race of this scale. The key has been consistency. Each week, my long run has stretched a little further, pushing my endurance and teaching me how my body copes with hours on my feet. Those runs now reach up to 40km, often on hilly terrain to mimic the relentless ups and downs I’ll face on the day. They’ve become as much about mindset as mileage - learning how to fuel properly, manage fatigue, and stay positive when the effort starts to bite.
Alongside the long runs, I’ve committed to a weekly VO₂ max session to keep my speed and cardiovascular fitness sharp. Fartlek workouts, hill sprints, and interval sessions have all played their part. Hill sprints in particular have been brutal but invaluable, building the power I’ll need for the steep coastal climbs. Intervals have pushed me beyond my comfort zone, helping me recover faster and stay strong when the pace picks up.
To support all of this, I’ve added a dedicated lower‑body strength session each week, along with an easy run to keep things moving without adding extra stress. Strength work has focused on legs, glutes, and core stability - all essential for staying injury‑free and maintaining my form over long distances.
Week by week, I’ve watched the pieces come together. What once felt overwhelming now feels achievable. Hard, absolutely, but achievable.
I’m taking on this challenge to raise funds for the Royal Signals Charity, an organisation that provides vital support to serving and retired members of the Royal Corps of Signals and their families. Their work makes a real difference, and knowing I’m running for a cause bigger than myself has been a huge source of motivation on the toughest training days.
If you would like to support me, please click here to donate.
