SPOTLIGHT ON: BERNADETTE BENSON

FAVOURITE RACING OR RUNNING DISTANCE

The last few years I’ve been leaning towards the ‘shorter’ races, whether road or trail, that are done within about 8-9 hours, as I enjoy the quicker recovery so I can be back playing on the trails again sooner.

WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND YOU GETTING INTO ULTRA RUNNING?

I stumbled upon trail runners around 2006 after I’d been running roads for 5 or 6 years in order to try to earn my beer and chips credits. I had no idea running could be fun or that people could survive – let alone enjoy – running more than 90 minutes at a time. I nearly puked trying to keep up with others on that first trail run, and I was sore as heck afterwards, but I was hooked!

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE ULTRA RUNNING EXPERIENCE SO FAR?

That’s an impossible question for me to answer succinctly. I loved some of my first races simply because it was all such a wild, new, unknown experience for me. My first trail races in Europe and my first 24hr, for example. I love the beauty of the Matterhorn Ultraks course in Switzerland. I love the long distance point-to-point nature of the Transalpine Run multi-day trail race. That one has always been a team event until this year – now that there’s a solo category, I want to go back to experience that version as well.

IF YOU WOULD WANT ANYONE IN THE WORLD TO PACE YOU AT AN EVENT, WHO WOULD IT BE? 

If my partner ran at my pace, I’d love him to pace me because he knows me so well. I appreciate his wit and calm, rational nature. I would love to have the chance to run some miles with Ann Trason and have her share her wisdom and stories. She’s a legend and a pioneer in the sport.

WHAT ARE 3 THINGS WE WOULD ALWAYS FIND IN YOUR DROPBAG?

2Toms SportShield, fuel by Hammer Nutrition, sunscreen. I try to race efficiently.

RECOVERY IS IMPORTANT – WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE OR BEST POST-WORKOUT/RECOVERY STRETCH OR EXERCISE?

Most critical to me is to get my protein/carb replenishment right after a long run (I use Hammer’s vegan Recoverite). I also invested in compression boots this year and they’ve become a regular part of big days, especially. And sleep! Sleep might be my most favourite of all.

WHAT’S YOUR DREAM RUN OR EVENT?

I am really interested in doing one of Lizzy Hawker’s high altitude multi-day semi-supported runs in Nepal. Wild, big, high, minimal, quiet. Those things appeal to me. The Lapland Arctic Ultra also appeals for similar reasons.

All images supplied. 

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