Time: 9 hours and 50 minutes
Distance: 65km
Elevation: 14,000+ feet
Race: Garda Trentino Trail (Riva del Garda), Saturday 17 May 2025
What I gained? Perspective. Resilience. Proof that the human body – when trained correctly, fueled naturally, and mentally focused – can do far more than most people ever imagine.
This wasn’t just an ultramarathon. It was a test of the MaxWellness philosophy in motion – a real-world embodiment of evolutionary nutrition, functional strength, and mental mastery.
Why I Signed Up: The Search for a New Edge
I didn’t enter the ultramarathon for applause or validation. I did it to meet a deeper version of myself. I wanted to find the point where my body wanted to stop, and see if my mind could keep going.
Running long distances strips away ego. It confronts you with pain, boredom, doubt – and asks who you really are underneath it all.
And I wanted that confrontation.
Strength Training: My Secret Weapon on the Trail
Here’s what most runners don’t realise: Strength protects you – especially on trails.
- Downhill, my quads absorbed hour after hour of shock. No buckling, no pain. Months of tempo squats, sled pushes, and split squats paid off.
- Uphill, when the climbs got steep and everyone else slowed to a shuffle, my calves were on fire – but they held strong thanks to loaded step-ups and hill sprints.
- Core stability kept my posture upright. No collapsing chest, no wasted energy.
If you’re training for endurance without strength, you’re building on sand.
Mobility and Stretching: Longevity on the Move
Another unsung hero? Stretching – especially my calves, ankles, and Achilles.
I saw runners tap out early with cramping calves, plantar issues, or tight hips.
My mobility work – daily deep squats, dynamic warm-ups, and calf lengthening – kept me fluid.
Running long isn’t just about cardio.
It’s about tissue health, joint freedom, and elasticity.
Fueling with Raw Honey – No Gels, No Gut Distress
This is where evolutionary nutrition truly shined.
Most athletes rely on gels, Coca-Cola, and processed energy bars.
On race day, I saw runners crouched behind bushes, doubled over from gut issues, or desperately searching for toilets.
Me? Not a single problem.
I ran the whole race fueled on raw honey, sea salt, and water –
no artificial ingredients, no chemicals, no preservatives.
Why? Because it’s what the body understands:
Simple sugars. Natural electrolytes. Real food.
No bloating. No cramps. No fatigue wall.
That’s what happens when you train and fuel in alignment with your biology.
Getting Comfortable With Pain: A Superpower in Disguise
At around kilometre 40, the pain got real.
My legs throbbed, my breathing turned shallow, my cough came back from the altitude. Every cell in my body screamed “Stop.”
But I didn’t.
Not because I’m special.
But because I’ve trained myself – through cold exposure, heavy training, hard conversations, and clean living – to recognise pain not as something to fear, but as something to lean into.
Pain expanded me.
It showed me that discomfort is not a sign to stop, but a signal that you’re growing.
After that race, I walked differently.
Not because I was limping – but because I knew what I was capable of.
The Mental Reset: Redefining What’s Possible
Crossing the finish line wasn’t euphoric. It was stillness. A deep, satisfying calm.
Something had shifted.
Running 65km expanded the limits of what I believed I could endure – not just physically, but mentally. It reshaped my blueprint of what’s possible.
Now, normal life feels easier.
Business stress? Manageable.
Cold water? A joke.
Arguments? Whatever.
That’s the real benefit of suffering voluntarily – it inoculates you against the chaos of everyday life.
Takeaways for You: Why This Matters
You don’t need to run an ultramarathon to evolve.
But you do need hard things.
You need:
- Movement that challenges you
- Nutrition that heals you
- Recovery that resets you
- A mindset that doesn’t flinch when it hurts
That’s what we do at MaxWellness.
Whether it’s training, nutrition coaching, or building a lifestyle rooted in simplicity and truth – this is about aligning with nature, not fighting it.
Want to Evolve?
If you’re ready to:
- Get strong, not just shredded
- Eat real food, not fake health snacks
- Build resilience through training, not hacks
- And live a life that feels powerful…
Then we’d love to work with you.
📅 Book a Session with MAXWELL
Maxwell offers free consultations and 1:1 sessions at MaxWellness Cafe.
👉 Read more about our Personal Training
Next chapter: Preparing for the Puglia by UTMB 85 K →
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