Less than 24 hours before the Punch Out Ultra 8-Hour, I had zero intention of racing. But, as any runner knows, “just a rest weekend” can quickly turn into “why not?” after a little bit of
Less than 24 hours before the Punch Out Ultra 8-Hour, I had zero intention of racing. But, as any runner knows, “just a rest weekend” can quickly turn into “why not?” after a little bit of scrolling and a little persuasion from running friends. By the night before the race, I was signed up and ready to go.
The goal wasn’t a PR or a podium; it was all about time on my feet. With the Oak Mountain 50k looming on the calendar for next month, I needed a solid “practice” effort to get my legs—and my mind—ready for the climb.
The Punch Out format is perfect for this kind of training. I kept things steady, embraced the power-walk, and used the time to test my pacing. It wasn’t flashy, and there was plenty of walking involved, but that’s the reality of ultra-training. I officially checked off Marathon #114 and decided to call it a day at Mile 28.