Wow, I am about 6 months late in writing this but as they say better late than never!
Before I jump into the common questions that I receive about ‘Journey to 100’, I first have to thank everyone who made Journey to 100 possible! Cliché I know! But that includes you. Without fantastic runners to work with I would not have been able to trial, refine and learn all the valuable lessons that you have all taught me. Those lessons all come out across the pages of the book. Thank you.
The most common questions I receive are:
- When did you start writing?
New Years Day 2017 – I hate New Years Resolutions because they never work but this was not a resolution but a line in the sand. I had been planning the book for about 6 months, and had about one chapter left to plan. But the desire to take the leap and start writing was too strong. What better way to start the New Year.
It was published in November 2017.
- How many words is it?
The book is 51 405 words. This does not include the words count of the plans at the back of the book.
- What was the most enjoyable part?
There were two parts that I really enjoyed during the writing of the book.
The first part I really enjoyed was the planning stage. I love to plan things out, to step back and look at the big picture. It’s probably no coincidence that this forms a large part of what I undertake as a coach!
The second part that I really enjoyed was writing the nutrition chapter. This has been a fascination of mine for a long time and being able to detail this knowledge into a succinct chapter that covered the essentials and allows runners to make informed and educated decisions on this front is something that I am really excited about.
- What was the most challenging part?
There were two challenging parts to the book. The first one many don’t suspect. Writing the plans in the back of the book was by far the hardest part. I wrote them more than once. All the plans that I write for the clients I coach are highly personalized and take into account where they are currently at with their running. To put plans out into the universe that could be scrutinized by others for being too easy or too hard and that are general in nature is still something that raises my concern.
The second challenge was when I found myself in the wilderness. The wilderness is much like the wilderness found when training for an ultra marathon. You are too far from the start to have the initial flourish of energy but you are also too far from the finish to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This is the time that breaks people in any large pursuit. I was fortunate that I could draw on this mentality from coaching others. But I vividly remember one time walking along the beach having to give myself a pep talk!
- Will you write another book?
I was surprised when first asked this question. Upon it being asked by more than one person at my book launch I decided that maybe I shouldn’t have been!
I certainly have a few thoughts that are jumping around in my head about the possibility of another book. However I need a mental break from the intensity of writing a book. Currently I am really enjoying spending my time working with all the new runners who are looking for additional help and guidance on their ultra journeys!
Why read ‘Journey to 100’?
You should read ‘Journey to 100’ if you want to understand the science behind improving your ultra running and how this science then applies to forming a training plan. Coupled with this you will find relevant stories and advice you can implement into your training.
But don’t take my word for it;
“A fantastic book, not just for those new to running/ultra running.
After running over a dozen ultramarathons and reading a lot of books/blogs/websites I wasn’t expecting to learn much from this book. I was pleasantly surprised from very early on.
Lots of practical and actionable advice on how to improve performance. Nick Muxlow provides you with the correct balance of science theory and real-life examples…most books are one way or the other.
While reading this book I ended up creating lists of things I wanted to implement in my training including fitness testing, visualisation, sweat testing, pacing challenges and many more.
I would highly recommend this book.” Tim Bowman
Journey to 100 can be purchased on my website at,
https://www.theultrajourney.com/journey-to-100/
Or on amazon for international runners,
Lastly thank you for all the positive feedback that I have received on the book. I truly love it when runners come up, ask their questions and we can have a conversation about running and training. I feel both privileged and lucky.
See you on the start line,
Nick