Race Coverage

Race Coverage

RACE Coverage

Atacama Crossing Home

Atacama Crossing Blogs 2019

Sarah Oppermann

1

Post

Atacama Crossing (2019) blog posts from Sarah Oppermann

15 July 2019 06:00 pm (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

Where to even begin! I have learnt so much the past few months and am enjoying the process so much!
 
My background is in marathon training and in the last few years I have been doing crossfit so the past few months have been a big change in how I would have ordinarily trained and refueled.
 
1. Training: just do it!
You cannot shoot a target that isn’t there and it is harder to shoot a moving target! Living by this is how I try and stay accountable. I typically track out my month’s training, broken down day by day and stuck up on my wall in my room, in work and on my phone. This makes me accountable to myself and I really try to not skip a run unless there is a great reason to do so. That might mean crawling up hills and walking parts of a longer run but I have NEVER regretted a run.
Getting family and friends to join for parts of a run has been one of the highlights of this process and something I think everyone should do!
 
2 Mindset: be your greatest champion   
When we watch our family and friends race we couldn’t be more supportive. Every little step is a huge win! So why do we beat ourselves up so much when we run? Shifting my mindset and pushing myself on during those lonely long runs up the mountains has been a game changer. I physically shake off negative thoughts and try tell myself constantly that I am doing well and to keep pushing.... we spend the most time with ourselves so why not be our best supporters. Our goals are our goals and not for anyone else to believe in!
 
3 Nutrition: calories, calories, calories
Everything I thought I knew about nutrition and recovery- in the bin. Calories are king and I have found myself googling “highest calorie foods per gram” on more than one occasion! In the past I would have tried to avoid high carb and calorie foods and now I know these are what my body needs to fuel and recover.
 
4 Process
 It’s going to hurt so smile and embrace it. Once I accepted that fact everything became easier. It WILL hurt. Pain is growth and growth is progress and training this hard is a choice you have made so be grateful you have the ability to make that choice and execute it.
 
5 Kit list
So daunting! Relax..... it has to get done and it will get done so just do it little by little. Do your research but again everyone is different so trust you know your body and what works for you. But buy a good watch! Those stats are addictive!
 
Favorites for my ears so far
Humans of Ultrarunning podcast
David Goggins book
Chasing Excellence podcasts

Comments: Total (14) comments

Mark Llew

Posted On: 09 Oct 2019 08:47 am

Well done, Sarah! Amazing achievement

Mike and Caro Kennedy

Posted On: 06 Oct 2019 05:01 pm

Hey Sarah! Congratulations on such a great achievement! We followed you all the way :) Have a nice well earned break. We are looking forward to hearing all about it in person. Mike and Caro

Jean O Donnell

Posted On: 03 Oct 2019 10:30 am

Fantastic Sarah keep it up Tough one next but after that you’ll be nearly there Jean x

Caroline Nolan

Posted On: 02 Oct 2019 09:31 pm

Sarah, team legal are keeping a close eye on you.. we’re so proud of you! Amazing that you’re near the finish. Well done!! Caroline x

Mary Eve Cunningham

Posted On: 02 Oct 2019 08:53 am

Wow.... I am literally in awe of you!! You have achieved and accomplished so much in your life and this really just goes to show how much you can achieve when you put your mind to it. Your sheer determination is so inspiring and I'm so proud to call you my friend. I know for a fact that you will be a role model to us all and my girls especially. No glass ceilings have ever stopped you and you just keep smashing them. You get to wear your yellow bib now and I couldn't me any more proud of you!! Keep going, keep smashing everything. You are amazing.

Bruce Ferree

Posted On: 02 Oct 2019 03:23 am

Sarah, I started following your progress because of your “learnt’ post. Today I see you led the women to the finish. Good for you. And you’re smiling in every photo posted by the organizers! Keep smiling. I broke my foot on day 3 of the 2016 Atacama, so will be living vicariously through you this year. Go get ‘em! Glad to see you’re having fun.

Sarah Mcevoy

Posted On: 01 Oct 2019 07:43 pm

Well done Sarah! You’re doing an amazing job!!! What an adventure! Stay safe c

Emma Lavin

Posted On: 01 Oct 2019 07:26 am

You’re doing amazing Sarah!! Following you on this site and YouTube. Well done, I am so proud!!! So excited for the next few days. All my love xxx

Ana & Mark Fontes ODonnell

Posted On: 30 Sep 2019 10:54 am

Well done Sarah!!! Good luck from us all in Dubai:-) You are doing amazing 🏃🏽‍♀️👍

Thomas O'Donnell

Posted On: 30 Sep 2019 10:25 am

Well done Sar! We are all keeping close track and the support here at home is amazing. We have just figured out how to email you so you should see the well wishes coming through now. Keep going you’re flying it and see you soon

Jean O Donnell

Posted On: 30 Sep 2019 08:30 am

Well done Sarah .Anazing feat! Am doing part of El Camino next week and it’s nothing compared to your race

Tony Brammer

Posted On: 15 Aug 2019 08:49 am

Hi Sarah, I like your book choice, I've just started the David Goggins book. That's one tough guy.

Zeana Haroun

Posted On: 14 Aug 2019 04:49 am

Hi Sarah - You've got this figured out - all the calories at the lightest weight - it is the only time I end up looking for, consuming and enjoying this type of calorie guilt free :) I especially like your advice on training and embracing the pain with smile. I am looking forward to meeting you in San Pedro very soon!

Troy Schaab

Posted On: 18 Jul 2019 10:14 pm

Hi Sarah...thanks for the podcast options. I like listening to music but after all of this training, it's starting to get redundant! Sounds like your training has been a positive experience, way to go. See you soon.
ADD COMMENT