r/backyardultra

Dmitri Klimov did 123 laps at Biotropika BYU in Russia, which is 824,8 km and more than 5 days of running!

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice from experienced Backyard Ultra runners.
I’m 25 years old, 186 cm (6’1”), 76 kg (168 lbs), and I’ll be running my first Backyard Ultra in about 8 weeks.

My running background is pretty limited:
Easy 10k pace: around 58 minutes
Hard 5k effort: around 25 minutes
I’ve never run more than 10 km before
The race course is mostly flat, with field and forest paths
I can realistically train only twice per week until race day

I recently ran 10.3 km in 31°C (88°F) heat, and while my cardiovascular system was struggling because of the heat, my knee also started bothering me around kilometer 9.7. I had ACL and meniscus surgery about 6 years ago, but otherwise I’m healthy and active.
I’m not expecting miracles. My main goal is to finish as many laps as possible while staying healthy and learning from the experience.

I’d love advice on the following:
What would be a realistic goal for someone with my background?
How should I pace the early laps?
What should I eat before the race?
What foods work best during a Backyard Ultra?
How much should I be eating and drinking per hour?
Are gels necessary, or can I get away with normal food?
What shoes would you recommend for mostly flat forest and gravel paths?
Do I need a GPS watch? I currently don’t own one.
What information should I actually track during the race?
Should I sit down during the breaks or stay on my feet?
Is massage, stretching, changing socks, etc. worth it during the race?
What are the most important things to do during the 10-15 minute breaks between laps?
What mistakes do first-time Backyard runners most commonlyr make?
If you could give only one piece of advice to a first-time Backyard runner, what would it be?
Any tips, lessons learned, gear recommendations, pacing strategies, nutrition advice, or race-day routines would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Vera Chekalina (46) just did 96 laps: 643,2 km.