I recently ran an ultra marathon through the Kosciuszko National Park, which was the experience of a lifetime that really pushed my limits. Those who have done ultra distance events will attest that even the best-laid plans tend to fall by the wayside as you battle through the distance.
Countless issues inevitably arise, including but not limited to injuries, blisters, cramping, dehydration, heat exhaustion, hyperthermia, under-eating, over-eating, and the list goes on…
Choosing the right tech for your endurance event is something you do have control over, so why not start off on the right foot?
After training month after month with my complete focus on my goal race of the year, I realised that I don’t often stop to reflect. So now that my race is done, it’s time to look back on the gear I chose and share my tips on the best tech to get you through ultra marathons and trail races.
My running background
Coming from a sporting background centred mostly around soccer (football), running has always been a big part of my training. I was always out running to get myself in shape pre-season, or maintaining fitness when games were called off. I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride when completing a difficult run.
It’s as if I was strengthening my willpower to more easily tackle other challenges in life. There is no cheating with running. If you put in the work and remain consistent over a long period of time, you will get the results. I love that feeling of steady progression earned through blood sweat and tears (sometimes literally).
Now that I am in my mid-30s and I have all but given up on team sports mostly due to the time commitment, I find myself running more than ever. I also feel like I am getting more and more out of running as I experiment with different distances and events. Naturally, I had originally focused on road running, and built up to the marathon distance. The next step? An ultra marathon.
Training
Initially, my running was something I would fit in around other sports, so I never really had too much structure to it. I just put my runners on and got out there. More recently I have implemented some level of basic strategy to my week.
For the most part, each week I like to do one long run where I aim to run slow with a focus on distance, one fast run that is typically short but high intensity, and two or three general runs. I base these different speeds on a combination of pace and perceived intensity levels.
You can use heart rate or any number of other metrics to gauge your workout type, but over the years I have learnt to always listen to my body and feel how stressed it is at the pace I am holding. Some days you will be stronger than others, so be mindful of your effort levels. I should mention that I don’t have a running coach. If you have the money and you prefer to not think about the workout for the day, a running coach can be extremely beneficial. For me and the way I learnt to run, I am happy to experiment and work things out as I go.
While preparing for Kosci, I wanted to make sure I stayed accountable and consistent. I printed off a three-month calendar so I could write down each of my runs, noting distance and pace. The main benefit of this was to give me the ability to reflect on my week. I could see how much I was doing each week and better understand how my body was feeling.
Tracking this on my GPS watch was vital, so I was sure I had accurate data from each run. Typically I would aim for five runs a week, following the basic outline described above. However, there was one main difference during this training block. I put a lot of emphasis on my long run, increasing distance most weeks and always running trails when I was able to. These long runs can sometimes feel monotonous. I found the perfect way to deal with the loneliness of my Sunday long run: a good quality pair of running headphones.
Required gear for an ultra marathon
It’s eye-opening how much you need to carry when competing in an ultra marathon. There is a big list of required gear that everyone running must carry during the whole event. Most of this gear is for safety, so no complaints from me.
When it comes to tech, there are a few things on the list as well. A phone (in working condition with full battery) and a headlamp (again with full battery) are a few of the main tech items required. Everything else tech-related is optional. But the quality of life they provide cannot be overstated.
The tech I used for the Kosci50 ultra marathon
GPS Watch: Garmin Enduro 3
There are so many great watch brands to choose from these days. Sunnto, Coros and Polar are some of the standouts, while Apple and Samsung are also in the mix. But at the top of the pile is Garmin.
Garmin has led the way for a long time in the GPS sports watch space. They are so popular due to their history of producing high-quality watches with accurate and detailed data tracking. The Garmin Enduro 3 I reviewed recently is no exception.
When considering which watch I wanted to wear for the event, battery life was the first thing that came to mind. There was no chance I wanted to risk wearing a watch that may not make the distance. With the Enduro 3, one of the stand-out features is its incredible solar battery life, providing up to 90 days or 320 hours in GPS mode. So I guess there is no need to worry about charging your watch when the sun is doing it for you!
This watch feels custom-built for ultra-running, providing an amazing experience from start to finish. With the Garmin Enduro 3, you are getting all of the features of the top-of-the-line Garmin Fenix 8 in a comfortable, solar-powered package.
Ahead of the event, I loaded the course onto the watch via a GPX file. This way my watch would tell me when I was approaching a hill, or when to turn to stay on course. I grew very attached to this watch through my training, and even more so during my race. It’s like having a pacer or a friend who is always there to keep you moving.
Headphones: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
I have tried lots of options for running headphones, but nothing compares to the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2. In training, I tested some generic headphones as well as some earbuds. All of them felt uncomfortable in some way, or end up falling out once I am sweating. I knew some day a brand would nail it, but who? I first saw Shokz on social media. Some big names in the trail running world wore them, and not just in training, but in races as well.
Looking further into how or why these headphones had become the go-to brand for runners, I found something interesting. Shokz headphones don’t require you to put anything inside your ears. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 uses bone and air conduction and the sound quality is top-tier. What makes these even better is that you can still hear everything around you as they don’t cover your ears at all. You can hear other runners come past, or spectators cheering. If you are crossing roads you can hear the traffic. This combined with their unmatched comfort is the secret sauce that has elevated Shokz to the top.
When I first put these headphones on, I forgot they were there after the first five minutes. They also have a very simple, easy-to-use button system. With just a touch of a button, you can answer a call or skip a song.
Heart Rate Monitor: Coros HR Monitor
The wrist heart rate monitor you get with a watch these days is typically very good. For the majority of users, they are adequate, yet there are occasions where they can be somewhat inaccurate.
In the past, athletes used a strap that wrapped around the chest, just below the sternum. There are more options these days, including the Coros HR Monitor worn on your arm. It’s much more comfortable and simpler to wear than a chest strap and, from my testing, it seems to record very accurate data. It’s also easy to connect via Bluetooth and is compatible with basically any GPS sports watch.
I wouldn’t suggest this is for everyone, but for those more serious runners looking to step their game up, the Coros HR Monitor is a great solution to record more accurate heart rate data, without the discomfort of the other options.
Headlamp: Knog Quokka Run 150L Rechargeable Headlamp
All I wanted for a headlamp was something not too bulky, and simple to use. The Knog Quokka Run 150 Headlamp ticked those boxes effortlessly.
With only really one button that cycles through the different modes, it couldn’t get much easier. The modes are great, with a range of intensity settings to suit the situation. It has a form-fitting design with an easy-clean, anti-odour single-piece silicone strap. It’s also easy to adjust the size to fit perfectly. For such a light headlamp, weighing in at just 48 grams, it has a surprisingly bright beam that reaches up to 20 meters. That’s more than enough for trail running in the dark.
I only used this a few times for early morning runs, but it did the job and looked great at the same time. And it’s rechargeable via USB. What more could you want?
Ultra marathon accessories
As many of you can probably relate to, I find it easy to get swept up in the tech and forget to pay attention to the basics. And when I think about it, there is also so much research and technology that goes into everything for running, from running shoes all the way to nutrition.
For those interested, I have compiled a list below of all of the gear I used for my ultra marathon. This includes some great brands such as Solomon, Saucony, SunGod and many more. Hopefully, this can be helpful if you’re keen to conquer the distance.
| Running shoes | Saucony Endorphin Edge |
| Hydration Vest | Salomon Sense Pro Set Pack |
| Glasses | SunGod Vulcans |
| Jacket | The North Face Men’s First Dawn Packable Jacket |
| Hat | Headsweats |
| Shorts | Nike Stride Men’s Dri-FIT 13cm Hybrid Running Shorts |
| Shirt | Asics |
| Socks | Elite Ultra Light Cushion No-Show Tab |
| Gloves | Salomon Unisex Agile Warm Glove (Black) |
| Gels/nutrition | GU Energy Australia |
| Gels/nutrition | Tailwind |
Choose gear that matches your needs
They say that running is a cheap sport. All you need is a pair of shoes and out the door you go. I have been running basically my whole life, and although running doesn’t cost much to get started, it can certainly add up.
It’s not just the running shoes either. It’s the running apparel, physio, gels and recovery supplements. Then there are the event entry fees, travel and accommodation. But one expense outweighs them all: the tech. So spend your money wisely and make sure to get the right gear for your next trail adventure.
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