Good Reasons Why to Train for the Cyprus Ultra Marathon

For runners from all over the world, the Cyprus UltraMarathon is one of the biggest challenges they could ever dream up. Featuring vertiginous mountain trails, hot weather and a varied terrain, it is a race that many train for years for, in an attempt to prove that they can achieve what they thought was unachievable. If you are a serious marathon runner and the Cyprus Ultra Marathon has always been the one race you hope to achieve in your lifetime, these are just a few reasons that may motivate you to train for what is often touted as ‘the toughest race in the world.”

• Finishing and Self-Reliance. Finishing such a challenging race is an unbeatable feeling; one that reminds you that regardless of the vicissitudes of life, you are capable of setting, meeting and even surpassing your goals. After the gruelling race, it is easy to feel like if you have achieve this much, there is little you won’t be able to achieve – be it in your professional, personal, or sporting life. The ability to divide a big goal into many small ones and meet each one, is one that will stand you in good stead throughout your lifetime.
• Listening to Your Body. Those who have finished the Cyprus Ultra Marathon often say that one of the greatest skills they have honed in the lead-up to the race, is that of fine-tuning their knowledge of their body. If you are doing something wrong during your training – be it sleeping poorly, following the wrong nutritional plan or over-training, your body will let you know. Runners who don’t push themselves to the limit often miss out on these subtle cues that can make a big difference both to your performance and to your general health and wellbeing.

In this sense, the Cyprus Ultra Marathon debunks the myth that all marathon runners are self-punishers who delight in suffering. Actually, the opposite is true – ultramarathon running is ultimately about building a healthy relationship to exercise as a whole, discovering your limits and extending them when possible, without damaging your health. You need to find the race that best fits your physical condition, first and foremost. This may mean completing half-marathons, for instance, before attempting a big race like the Marathon. If you are a beginner to running, you can even start out with brisk walking, working your way up to longer races and eventually, short (and then longer) marathons.

• Time Management. Most runners who complete the Cyprus Ultra Marathon have a busy life – some are parents, others simply have challenging careers that can take the better part of their day, as well as their mental energy. Training for such a long marathon enables you to be more efficient in the time you have, through strict time management. The most dedicated runners will not let work get in the way of their training – many will actually divide their training time into morning and afternoon runs.
• Causes. The Cyprus Ultra Marathon is the ideal run for seasoned, fit, trained marathon runners who also wish to support a cause that means something to them. Cancer, children and animals are just a few of the causes many runners dedicate their efforts to. It is very difficult to say no to someone who is giving so much time and effort to helping out their cause, so the Marathon will give you a real edge in so far as capturing people’s hearts and their awareness of an important cause.
• The Nature Connection. Research shows that adults and children alike spend too many hours indoors, hooked to gadgets and devices. Scientists warn that ‘sitting is the new smoking’, with many diseases associated with not getting enough exercise. The problem extends to what some experts have called ‘nature deficit disorder’. To put it simply, we have lost our connection to nature, and as a result, the motivation to fight to save our planet from pollution, deforestation and the abuse of our natural resources. Our health also suffers when we avoid being outdoors. Studies have shown that exercise in the great outdoors is far more beneficial for our health – it helps us burn more calories and affords greater enjoyment, than indoor workouts. Our vision, too, is enhanced when we focus on landscapes (and on far objects) as well as near objects. When we train for a marathon in the midst of verdant landscapes, it also becomes easier to realise the beauty of our planet and the importance of reducing our carbon footprint. Sometimes, enjoyment of nature while exercising is the best way to realise its full value and importance.

Article by Helen Rayner
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Further Reading:
http://mensrunninguk.co.uk/home-page-feature/mimi-andersons-ultra-running-tips/
http://www.rehabs.com/pro-talk-articles/what-constitutes-a-healthy-relationship-with-exercise/
https://www.runsociety.com/training/memo-to-newbies-half-marathons-offer-so-many-advantages-why-run-a-full-one/
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/09/09/how-does-race-walking-compare-to-running/?_r=0
http://www.varsity.co.uk/sport/10664
http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/running-health-even-little-bit-good-little-probably-better-201407307310
https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2008/08/running-slows-the-aging-clock-stanford-researchers-find.html