Jacob Snochowski – Ultra Runner
“There is nothing simpler, real and beautiful than the sense of freedom while running in the mountains.” Jacob Snochowski
About me:
Polish-born, fortunate enough to live and train in the amazing Lake District. I started running in 2005 when I joined the army. Until 2014 I was running only for pleasure, mainly flat road running, not competitively, with many breaks (I had 3 knee surgeries, one major).
I ran my first race (and first Ultra) in October 2014, 3 months after I moved to Kendal; it was the Ennerdale 50km Trail Race, and I managed to finish 6th. It was a really big surprise and clear message that if I altered my nutrition along with my training I could do better than that. So I did…
About my running:
I was road running for years, but I always enjoyed trails. Unfortunately, I have lived for many years in big cities, so finding a decent trail was often a struggle. My transition from road running to the trail and fell running was fairly straight forward and soon I was completely hooked.
There is nothing simpler, real and beautiful than the sense of freedom while running in the mountains. I love the time spent on lone training runs more than racing itself. It is very important to stop, look around and breath – so we can understand where is our place in the universe.
What I’ve learned:
I always thought that my nutrition strategies were good, until 10 Peaks Lakes 2016 where I had to retire from the race (mile 20, 3rd position) due to the stomach problems. When I reflected on my past, I have noticed that I don’t really have nutrition strategy, I eat what I fancy on the day… I was lucky enough to try Mountain Fuel products for the La Sportiva Grand Tour of Skiddaw race and results were better than I could have expected. Simple, tasty and most important they work without any sugar spikes and bad stomachs! My personal favourite is Ultimate Recovery Fuel, which helps a lot with the damage caused by long and often gruelling runs.
Fell running legend Billy Bland presents 1st place prize at the Grand Tour Skiddaw
Main achievements:
# 5th – Lakes in the Day 2015
# 1st – Red Rose Ultra 2016
# Fastest Known Time – unsupported Hadrian’s Wall run 2016
# 24th team of 750 – XIII Bieg Rzeznika, Poland, 2016
# 1st, new C/R – The La Sportiva Grand Tour Of Skiddaw, 2016