A Lifetime of Miles

In Helsinki, Finland, in front of the Olympic Stadium, stands a statue of Paavo Nurmi, the legendary Finnish track athlete who won numerous Olympic medals and set world records in middle and long distance running, emerging as one of the earliest athletic superstars of the 1920s.

In his hometown of Turku, another replica of the statue stands tall. The distance between both statues is 100 miles, precisely the most common distance of ultra-running races. For years, Finnish runners have challenged themselves to cover the distances between both statues and cities.

Over three decades ago, a young runner and orienteering enthusiast named Mikael Heerman stumbled upon a magazine article chronicling how a runner had covered the 100 miles between both Paavo Nurmi statues. The distance felt monumental, yet at the same time, the challenge was incredibly appealing; it was inspiring. “One day, I’ll run that much,” Mikael told himself.

And so he did. Before turning 20, Mikael had already completed his first marathon, an accomplishment that only fueled his passion for pushing the limits of endurance.

However, life’s inevitable demands can often disrupt even the most well-laid plans. Studies, followed by the demands of a job at Nokia forced Mikael to shelve his passion for running.

Years passed without much running. It wasn't until his thirtieth birthday that he made the decision to lace up his running shoes and return to training. "I was in very bad shape," he admits, acknowledging the need to get moving again.

With each stride, Mikael embarked on a journey to reclaim his identity as a runner. Since that moment of realization, he has not ceased to challenge himself, steadily increasing the duration of his runs. His relentless dedication and tenacity propelled him to become one of Finland’s most outstanding ultra runners.

Through his journey, Mikael has faced some of the toughest challenges endurance running has to offer. He’s established ultra distance records and earned spots in some of the prestigious endurance races, including the Barkley Marathons, a race he attempted to complete in 2017 and 2019.

Now, at 55, having lost count of the hours spend on roads and trails running. Mikael Heerman continues to run ultra distances, despite the inevitable protests from his aging legs. Whether through dense forests, up steep mountains, or across vast plains, ultra running continues to be an integral part of his identity.

The lure of ultras

Like most non-elite runners, Mikael initially pursued the elusive sub-3 hour marathon until one day, he opted to trade speed for endurance. “I tried many times, but I could never break the three-hour barrier”, he says. In a twist of fate, one day while training, he stumbled upon an ultra-running race in a forest in north Helsinki. On that day, while runners navigated rocks, roots, ascents and descents for 100 kilometers, a decision crystallized within him. Without hesitation, he made a vow to run his first ultra within the forthcoming year.

That wasn’t unusual. For many, ultras appear to be a logical next step in their running journey. When speed starts to fade away, running longer and longer distances feels like a natural progression. “At some point, I started to wonder myself how far I could go. How long could I run. I guess that’s a very ordinary reason to start running ultras,” says Mikael.

Before long, he ran his first 24-hour race, covering 204 kilometers. Driven by an incredible will to endure, he didn’t stop there.

Mikael achieved his personal best at the Surgères 48-hour race in 2010. This invite-only race used to gather twelve of the world’s best ultra-runners in the world on the west coast of France, near the Bordeaux wine region. On that race, Mikael clocked in 382km, establishing a new Nordic record and finishing on third position.

The power within

More than just a competition against one another, ultra-endurance events symbolize a journey of discovering and pushing our personal limits. To get through races that might last days, one must develop not only incredible endurance, but also extraordinary mental strength. When pace becomes secondary, fighting perceived fatigue holds even greater significance than physical exhaustion. It is not about how long you can run, but about how long you think you can run.

To run at ultra pace, you don’t need your maximum leg strength—your legs are still capable of going on even at 60 percent of maximum strength. Instead, you require all your mental strength to combat perceived fatigue and overcome the subjective sensation of tiredness that prompts your brain to slow down or consider dropping out.

One of the most challenging moments for Mikael during an ultra-race occurred in Japan. In 2009, while competing in the Sakura Michi 250km race, his legs gave out after pushing too hard during a long descent past the 150km mark. "After that, I could hardly run at all. All I could manage was to walk for the last 70 kilometers. It took me a considerable amount of time and a great deal of willpower to finish that race," he recalls. "But I learned that even when things don't go as planned, I can still persevere and refuse to give up. It doesn't matter if it's painful and slow."

During the toughest moments of a race, when sleep deprivation compromises alertness and extreme tiredness urges the body to stop, Mikael resorts to a small trick. He thinks of his wife, Sari, and pictures her running by his side. “When my mind isn’t in a nice place, I imagine she’s with me on the course. I talk to her while I run,” he explains.

Team spirit

Though Sari may not be on the course, her presence is never far. Together, they’ve traveled the world: Mikael pounding the trails for miles upon miles, while Sari remains the indispensable anchor that every ultra runner needs. Whether waiting at the finish line or providing assistance mid-course, her contribution has been vital and constant over the years.

The unwavering support Sari provides is most visible on race days, but it also extends to the incredibly long training sessions that precede them. These sessions, often spanning countless hours and miles, can be perceived as time diverting from the relationship and ultimately strain even the strongest of relationships.

As Mikael immerses himself in his training routine, Sari must navigate the challenges of balancing her own pursuits with the demands of supporting his athletic endeavors. While Mikael pushes his physical and mental limits on the trails, Sari shoulders the weight of managing household responsibilities and maintaining the rhythm of daily life.

When training sessions might last entire nights, such support is imperative. “There is no other way,” Sari acknowledges. “Anyone that wants to succeed in ultra-running races needs a partner that can accept this lifestyle. That requires trust.”

This trust allows Mikael to prioritize his training without guilt. "I can be selfish sometimes,” he admits. “When it's a crucial workout, I need to solely focus on running and training. I can't be out in the forest, worrying about whether Sari's at home, taking care of chores and dinner. Those thoughts need to be pushed aside for me to give my all to my training.”

Yet, amidst these challenges, their relationship has deepened over the years. “Mikael's training sessions also afford me some much-needed time for myself”, admits Sari. “While we enjoy doing many activities together, having moments to ourselves is equally important.”

Helping others

After dedicating decades to ultra-running, it's no coincidence that both Sari and Mikael are compelled to share their knowledge and support others aspiring to excel in ultra-running or simply attain a more balanced life. Since 2009, they have run Sakura Coaching, a life coaching company that provides guidance and support to individuals seeking to enhance various aspects of their lives, including work, exercise, and overall well-being.

Certainly, physical training is a crucial component of preparing for ultra-running races. However, in his coaching, Mikael dedicates significant time and effort to cultivating mental resilience in his athletes. He understands that any ultra-running race is grueling, with daunting distances, relentless terrain, and often sleep deprivation. Conquering the challenges of ultra-running requires exceptional mental fortitude. Pain is guaranteed and that’s why spends much time discussing with his athletes about the mental challenges of ultras. "I try to help runners develop the psychological tools necessary to navigate the inevitable dark moments that arise during ultra-races,” he elaborates. “I tell them that those moments are just that, moments. They pass. Often, these challenging moments are simply the result of inadequate neutrino or energy depletion, so they solutions is straightforward.”

For Mikael, visualization is a crucial technique for building mental resilience. "I often visit a trail and walk a few meters, thinking what will occur during a race," he explains. "Then, I walk a bit more, imagining a different moment of the race. How will I feel? What actions do I need to take in that moment?"

While Mikael focuses on training and performance, Sari coaches individuals who want to address the challenges of achieving a balanced life. "Most of us spend too much time sitting at a desk in front of a computer, so I encourage people to move and be active," she says. "Moving, especially outdoors in the forest or in a park, calms us down and activates our brains differently. It boosts creativity and inspiration, helping us find solutions to many different problems."

Everybody can be an ultrarunner

Contrary to common belief, ultramarathons are no longer exclusive to a select few. The increasing popularity of endurance events has ushered in new approaches to ultra-distance running that are more accessible, even to beginners. One such example is the emergence of Backyard Ultra races, a concept of endurance running introduced by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell, one of the founders of the legendary Barkley Marathons.

In these races, participants must run a course of 6.706 kilometers (4.167 miles) once an hour, every hour, until they can no longer meet the time cutoff or choose to withdraw. The last person standing, who completes the most loops, is declared the winner.

The format of Backyard Ultra races offers an optimal entry point for those interested in trying out ultra-distance running. Unlike traditional ultramarathons, which often feature daunting distances that can be intimidating for beginners, these races provide participants with greater flexibility and control over their running experience. Instead of committing to a predetermined distance, participants have the freedom to choose how long they want to run, making the event more accessible to a wider range of runners. Moreover, the relatively short looped course promotes an environment of camaraderie and social interaction. As participants complete each loop, they have the opportunity to run alongside and support each other, fostering a sense of community and shared achievement.

That sense of camaraderie is one of the reasons why Mikael decided to start a backyard ultra race in Finland. Since 2019, he and Sari have organized the Nuuksio Backyard Ultra, an annual event that brings together seasoned ultra runners and newcomers alike. Dare to try? The current race record is 39 loops - that’s over 160 miles in less than two days.

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