011: Jo Meek on ultra-endurance

Supporting Champions

In this episode I talk to Jo Meek, aka the "Running Squirrel". Jo is one of the world's leading ultra-endurance runners. In 2013 Jo was 2nd woman across the line in the Marathon de Sables. In 2014 Jo was first in the Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica (a 225km run which she completed in 29h 17mins, 19s; 5th in Comrades marathon; 4th in the World 100km Champs. Jo has a 10km time of 34:36; a marathon time of 2:46; and a 100km time of 7hr 43mins. Jo offers a unique insight into managing training, discomfort of training and how she reframes challenge into a positive.

Show notes

The origins of the nickname "Running Squirrel"

Unconventional entrance to sport. Sport as a key to join in and be cool! Road running and now running on Dartmoor

English cross-country champion, road racing and marathon and then ultra-marathon

Mental resolve, persistence and hard work. Mental resolve is innate for Jo

Sport Science top tips

Make running your routine

The pros and cons of becoming a full-time athlete

What moderates Jo's training?

The army, frontline action in Iraq for 4-5 months

The army taught Jo the importance of looking after yourself

Endurance background to ultra and the Marathon de Sables

Highest British female finisher in the Marathon de Sables!

Variety of races, UTMB 170km around Mont Blanc, France, Switzerland & Italy

Tuning training to the event. UTMB training marathon training, long run becomes 3-4 hours and back to back long runs

Training schedule, daily routine

Managing winter training and darkness

Mental resilience, anticipation of problems to stay positive for the race planning…control the controlables

Ultra-running is easier than marathon running!

The next challenge…Western States Endurance Run?

Jo's top tips for ultra-training, consistency with training, fuelling and enjoy it!

More from Jo at; https://twitter.com/jo_meek https://jomeekblog.wordpress.com/

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