We're going to brag for just a sec...
We sat down with co-founder, Roger McGreal, to get all the details about the Ice Age 50k he completed this summer. Read more about his training, how he stayed motivated, and how he balanced this challenge with ALL the things going on as a husband, father, and business owner.
Roger, what prompted or motivated you to sign up for an ultra-marathon?
I was looking for something that would challenge me both mentally & physically. I was not much of a runner prior to signing up for the event. In recent years, the only race I had participated in was a 5k. I was looking for an event that was outside of my comfort zone and that made me nervous. Being unsure of my ability to actually complete this race kept me very motivated and focused throughout training.
Tell us more about your training. It had to be time-consuming. How did you juggle the training, all the dad & family duties, and run a business?
The training was time-consuming, but I was committed to not having it interfere with my family time, work, and other priorities. I started preparing for the ultra in January. Living in Chicago, January is not an ideal time to be training outside, but I do feel it helped me gain some mental toughness. There were a few runs where my water bottle would completely freeze during the run.
I ran a total of four days a week. On Wednesday mornings I completed a one hour run early in the morning. Wednesdays typically consisted of sprint work and hill runs. On Thursday nights, to be most efficient, I ran on an indoor track while my daughter's soccer team practiced. Saturday & Sunday mornings were my long runs. I liked stacking the long runs back-to-back to get my body used to running on tired legs. My favorite part of training was when my daughters (10 & 11) would join me for a portion of the run. They loved to push the pace and remind me how slow I was going.
It obviously takes a lot of running to train for a race like this. Did you incorporate any other types of training protocols?
I focused heavily on recovery throughout my training. I am 44 years old, and I knew that if I was going to avoid injuring myself that I had to prioritize recovery. I cold plunged after every run (4 days a week). Nothing fancy, just my bathtub on the coldest setting and 22lbs of ice. I followed a stretching routine that I performed before bed and prior to my runs. I made sure to get 8 hours of sleep every night, this made for some early nights because I am an early riser. I also incorporated more yoga, the Revive sessions are great for active recovery and increasing flexibility.
In a marathon, people usually hit their wall (if they hit one) around mile 20-22. Did you experience that? If so, at what point, and how did you push through to finish?
The ultra I participated in was in Wisconsin on the Ice Age Trail. It is a beautiful scenic trail, but the hills & terrain were much more challenging than I was used to. Being in Chicagoland, it is hard to find trails that are comparable. The majority of my training was performed on flat roads. The race became very challenging for me around mile twenty-two. I was able to push through the remainder of the race thanks to the energy and the encouragement from the other runners & volunteers. The ultra marathon community is known for its camaraderie and support among participants. While the races are competitive, there is also a strong sense of community and encouragement. It was very inspiring to see how the runners celebrated each other's achievements and cheered each other on. The atmosphere was uplifting and helped push me to the finish line.
Major accomplishments like this can be pretty emotional. Describe how you felt after you finished. Hopefully proud!
When I initially crossed the finish line, I felt elated & relieved. I was glad that the grueling journey was over, and I was proud of the accomplishment. As I have had more time to reflect on the race, the word that best sums up the experience is gratitude. I am very thankful & fortunate to be in good health and have the ability to participate in an event like this. I am also extremely grateful to have such a loving and supportive wife and daughters that encourage me to chase my dreams.
