2011 Apr 16 The Running Man's Take on the North Face 100
China’s third North Face 100 takes place on May 7 in Changping District. The endurance event combines its flagship 100km, China’s only 50km and a 10km race. We spoke to runner Andy Clayton about his upcoming 50km.
Why on earth are you running 50km?
For a good cause. I visited the orphaned babies at Little Flower, and thought they could do with all the help they can get.
Why that charity in particular?
I was very moved by my visit there. Poor families who have babies with disabilities (such as premature birth, club foot, or cleft palate) sometimes abandon them, as they cannot afford the medical expenses, and these babies have no place to go. Little Flower offers a place where they are safe, cared for, and receive the medical attention they need, until an adoptive family can be found. Anyone can visit to offer these babies some dearly needed love and attention. It is set up and run by good people, whose only intent is to help those less fortunate than themselves.
Why aren’t you running the 100km?
I did the 50km event last year, and it was very painful – I discovered my limits, and well before the finish line. I’m in pretty much the same shape this year as last, so I know the 100km would be too much.
What inspires someone to get into distance running?
Running is an important part of my life. Like meditation, it allows me to clear my mind, put life into perspective, and burn off negative emotions. It also keeps me physically fit and healthy. Over time, my performance has improved, and I can run faster and further. Of these two limits, speed and distance, distance is the only one you can really push as you get older.
What kind of training do you do to prepare?
I have three types of training for this race, which I mix up. Speed relays are laps run in a cycle of increasing speed; this improves my anaerobic performance, and increases my speed. Distance runs (usually 20-30km) increase stamina, and get my body prepared for the race. Stair work (i.e. running up and down stairs) is important, as this race includes mountain ascents up stairs, which exercises a different muscle set. I also eat less in order to get my weight to target race weight.
Will that change from last year?
Last year I didn’t do the stair work, and really suffered on the mountains.
How many pairs of sneakers will you go through?
One pair of sneakers, many Snickers.
Can you prepare for the varied terrain?
For this race, not particularly. I have done mountain marathons in the UK that involve tramping through bogs, and running in blizzards, so equipment for the terrain and weather were crucial. Beijing spring tends to be reliably warm and dry, so the off-road terrain is firm and solid.
How far into the 50km does it feel like a bad idea?
Last year, when I thought I was halfway through, I asked a steward how far we’d gone. When she said “About 12km,” I got a really, really bad feeling.
When do you hit the wall in such a race?
In this race, the wall hits you. There are several vicious ascents, flights of stairs winding up to distant peaks. Normally, in a marathon, I hit the wall around kilometer 35, and try and squeeze through the pain of the last 6-7km; my friend calls it the “survival shuffle.” In this race last year, though, few of my memories beyond the first 10km are either clear or pleasant.
What do you do when you hit it?
Not much choice. Slow down. Walk, if necessary. Think about the last 100m. Drink steadily, and try and eat energy food.
Do you think that 100m runners are cowards?
My personal heroes are the distance runners: people who do 100-mile or 24-hour races or folks who do extreme marathons on seven different continents. It’s inspiring to watch people push their limits in that way, feats of endurance I could only dream of.
What’s a time that you’ll be happy with?
Six hours would be great.
So … 50km involves a lot of chafing, right? How do you prepare for that?
Vaseline – nipples, armpits, thighs and balls. Bleeding from any of these is unpleasant.
If you were to run 50km in any direction from Beijing, where would you like to end up?
Straight up – the view would be great.
For details, visit http://thenorthface100.com.cn. If you’d like to sponsor Andy, email us at editor@thebeijinger.com and we’ll make that happen. If you’d like to support the North Face 100’s charity partner, Friends of Nature, please see www.fon.org.cn./
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