1. Extreme Endurance Expected
Multi-day running is a serious endurance event that requires mental and physical health as well as dedication. It is a type of ultrarunning geared towards the extreme endurance athlete. Depending on the type of multiday race you sign up for, you either complete specific distances every day, or you have free reign over how far you go each day, aiming for a goal distance at the end. These events range from 48-hour track runs to several hundred mile events.
2. Running Not Required
Runners do not run the entire multi-day race. In fact, it is common for runners to walk entire days of a multi-day event for recovery. Multi-day events are less about competition, and more about camaraderie. Runners stop and rest at night, or whenever they choose to sleep. It is not a 24-hour-a-day race.
3. Why?
Competing in and completing a multi-day event gives you bragging rights. You also learn many things about yourself, your limits and your will to succeed over the course of a multi-day event. It is a journey of self-discovery and personal awareness that few people complete. You make new friends, friends with similar interests and goals in life. It also provides an experience you won't forget. Multi-day running events are not for everyone, but of those who try it, few regret it.
4. What it Takes
Multi-day events take extreme mental and physical toughness. Physically, your body has to handle day after day of running miles and miles. Mentally, your mind has to be able to handle all the running and the pain that goes with it without breaking down. You have to be able to run when you're sore and hurting, and push yourself when you want to stop. Training and competing in multi-days requires patience, determination and dedication.
5. Injuries And Issues
Multi-day running is an extreme sport, so there are several types of injuries associated with it. During races, dehydration is a common problem for runners. Stomach issues occur frequently, mostly due to consuming calories while running. Stomach problems also occur if a runner doesn't take in enough calories for their level of exercise. As far as physical injuries, shin splints top the list. Shin splints cause pain along the front of the shin, and are due to too much running for the current fitness level. Runner's knee is another common problem for multi runners, causing pain underneath the kneecap. Muscle soreness is prevalent among multi-day runners also.
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