The Relationship between 24 h Ultramarathon Performance and the "Big Three" Strategies of Training, Nutrition, and Pacing

Abstract

Background: The present case study examined the relationship between 24 h ultramarathon performance and the "big three" strategies of training, nutrition, and pacing.

Methods: A 32-year-old male ultramarathon runner (body mass: 68.5 kg, height: 179 cm) participated in a 24 h ultramarathon race. Training status was quantified based on from a GPS sports watch. The nutritional status was evaluated during the week leading up to the race, and blood glucose level and heart rate were measured during the race.

Results: His aim of the distance was 200 km, but the actual performance was 171.760 km. The blood glucose level was stable because of adequate CHO intake before (7.2 ± 0.8 g/kg/day) and during the race (48 g/h). The running speed decreased in the middle and later stages of the race despite adequate CHO intake and a lack of high intensity running in the early stage of the race. The longest training session before the race (80 km) had to be significantly shorter compared to the aim.

Conclusions: For optimal 24 h ultramarathon performance, the "big three" strategies of training, nutrition, and pacing are all important. However, the performance level estimated based on previous studies may be achievable even with insufficient training, as long as the nutritional and pacing strategies are appropriate.

Keywords: continuous glucose monitoring; extreme endurance; heart rate; sports nutrition.

Figure 1

Changes in running speed (a), blood glucose level (b), and heart rate (c) during the 24 h ultramarathon race. Data of blood glucose level and heart rate are presented as means and standard deviations.