Watch the video below to see the full interview with Ryan
me, being a bit of an underdog. I guess it takes the pressure off in a way. I feel I’ ve done a lot of preparation. Mentally, I’ m feeling really excited going into the race, which I think is positive.”
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The race is supported, meaning that there are aid stations, and Ryan will be traveling with a team on hand to assist him. However, the first aid station is 50 km into the race. Given that the starting line is in the Arizona desert it is mandatory for all runners to carry at least four litres of water with them. At elite level running the goal is always to be as light as possible; running with four litres, is anything but light. I ask Ryan how he has been preparing for this aspect of the race.
“ I think the really hard part of the race will be the first first day and possibly the first seven hours where there’ s very limited water and no crewed aid stations. I have worked with Salomon to make a prototype backpack that can carry a bladder, it’ s got soft flasks in the front and handheld bottles. I have done training with the gear to get used to it, and while it will be heavier than I am used to, there is not a lot of mandatory gear for the first part of the race.”
Many see ultra running as an individual sport. But there’ s a massive Salomon global support team behind Ryan and his Salomon teammate, US athlete Courtney Dauwalter( who is a favourite to win the women’ s race).
And the support doesn’ t end there. Ryan’ s long-time running partner Ryno Griesel is also joining him. The race allows for pacers after 80-90 kilometers, so Ryno will be guiding Ryan through the night stretches.“ When I start to get really tired, Ryno will be there to pace me. He will also be able to help with navigation. He knows me really well, so will know when he can push me but not push me too hard so that I go over the edge.”
Ryno will also be managing the crew for Ryan and has put together a spreadsheet to map out pacing, time and nutrition. It also pinpoints when certain gear will be needed and when gear will have to be changed out.“ The spreadsheet is pretty complicated, there’ s a lot of planning that’ s gone into it,” Ryan explains.
Our chat ends with Ryan telling me:“ After competing for 18 years in the sport it’ s pretty cool that I can still find something that excites me this much.”
Watch the video below to see the full interview with Ryan
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