Danny 'MF' Jones —Western States, Round 2
"🤯🤯 hours or faster. This has been a much discussed topic with Hayden in our training.”
The Western States, Murica’s🌭 oldest 100-mile race.
It’s on the top of every aspiring ultra-athlete’s matrix.
Victory here, and your name will forever be alongside the legends of the sport.
In one week, Daniel Jones, or Danny as he’s known in Murica🌭, will line up with 368 other runners in Olympic Valley to do everything he can to get his hands on a bronze cougar.
He made a splash on the international scene last year, finishing 5th in his first attempt at the 100-mile distance in the Western States.
Many ‘experts’ were surprised, but if you know DJ, nothing was surprising about it.
He is built for long-distance Ultras.
His Marathon PB is 2:16:15—only 1m10s slower than the current Course Record holder and three-time Champion, Jim Walmsley.
He has competed and won some of the top multisport competitions in the world.
In his spare time, he hikes some of the toughest terrain in NZ with a giant pack, stalking deer up and down hills.
He’s also been winning everything in NZ for years.
There are a lot of happy local athletes that he’s now overseas chasing his dreams🤣.
He has won Kepler 1091 times in a row
He’s the Back-to-back Tarawera 100km Champ
He has won every major Marathon in the country
He holds the CR at various trail races, including Jumbo Holdsworth, Mukamuka Munter and the FKT for SK Valleys in 10:50
Anyway, that’s enough smoke blowing for now. Danny was generous enough to drag himself away from Hayden Michelle to answer some questions about his Western States’ campaign.
Looking at the old Insta and Strava, it looks like you've been training up a storm since you landed States side.
Have you faced any significant challenges or setbacks in your training since you've been over there?
“This has been a real solid block. Certainly there have been days I've suffered but I've been bouncing back strong.”
“That's part of being competitive and pushing to be the best. I think I've managed it well, straddling that fine line of pushing myself but recovering enough to adapt and get stronger.”
“Last year, with three weeks to go, I had tendonitis in my lower hamstring that started to bother me. Thankfully with my taper it took care of itself but this year I feel really strong. This has come from a concentration on mobility, strength work and the recovery mentioned above.”
“When you go into a race healthy, not only are you physically stronger, but mentally you have more to give. Doubts are removed and you know that your performance will be a result of how you manage yourself on the day.”
You recently raced Canyons 50km and Bryce Canyons 50km. What worked well? What needs more work?
Did you have any cockups?
“No real cockups, I have no complaints with how I raced at either event.
The Canyons and Bryce Canyons 50km races were used for different reasons.”“The Canyons 50km was an all out race situation where I could test my fitness against a world class field. This served as a transition from my speed endurance training to my Western States specific block.”
“Bryce Canyon's 50km allowed me to test a simulation that would closely match Western States. Things I concentrated on were, racing to a target effort, a more minimalist setup, foregoing the pack and opting for a waist belt and handhelds, and getting the feel for racing at altitude.”
In New Zealand, you're expected to win every time you step on the start line.
Are you enjoying the challenge of competing in a much larger and more competitive fields?
“I'm relishing these opportunities, competing in the biggest ultras in the world. I love the feeling of representing New Zealand trail running, gaining experience and surprising people to the upside with my results.”
“There is a different kind of pressure competing internationally than what I feel in New Zealand. The pressure is from within. I know the expectations I have for myself far outweighs what others may expect. That's because I know I can be the best.”
“In New Zealand it's a bit different. I don't go as far as thinking people expect me to win, but I realise I go into most NZ races as one of the favourites. I try to line up as often as I can. Sometimes it's to support a race, sometimes it's off the back of a race that I'm still recovering from. I'm too competitive not to give it a good nudge most of the time.”
“But, something I have to consider is that you can't be at peak fitness all year round. It's important to not let expectations get to me, or beat myself up if I don't feel great in a race.”
They say ignorance is bliss. Has your experience of racing last year made it easier or harder to prepare mentally for this year's race?
“I actually talked about this in my last article. I think experience will be key in improving my performance in Western States. You learn the most when more variables are thrown at you. Western States has plenty of those.”
What is your approach to a race like this? Are you a "I'm running my own race, if someone beats me fair play" or are you more of a "I'm going to crush every MF out here" type of guy?
“Mentally I know I can go out there and compete against everyone in that race. Self confidence is particularly important in the lead up to the race and when the gun goes off.”
“Tactically, when it comes to the race itself, I know where I can push and relax and that will play its part in me running a strategically sound race.”
What was your biggest takeaway from last year's Western States?
“Western States is going to be a very tough race to nail. There is so much to consider when preparing that you just hope that at least some things align to have an epic day out there. That excites me though.”
“Last year I had a mishap in the high country where I banged my knee. This caused me to lose touch with the front bunch. I'll be looking to right that wrong this time round.”
You wake up the morning of the race well-rested. Your coffee is the perfect temperature, and your pre-race poop is the best you've ever had.
Your breakfast settles, and the temperature stays closer to Aro Valley than Death Valley.
What time do you think you have in you on your perfect day?
“14 hours or faster. This has been a much discussed topic with Hayden in our training.”
Having experienced the course through last year's race, the Canyons races, and the WS training camps, what is your favourite part of the course?
“I'm really looking forward to getting past the canyons, specifically Devils Thumb and El Dorado. Once I get to Forest Hill (100ish km) the course turns to my favour with long runnable sections.”
“My aim is to get here in my best shape possible and then really work hard for the final 60km.”
How important is your support crew, and did you make any changes to your crew or pacer strategy this year?
“Support crew and pacing is crucial in this race. I put a lot of trust and faith in my crew. They are my family, friends, and loved ones. They've been here before and know how to get the best out of me.”
“Unfortunately my parents have had to return to New Zealand due to some health issues and we didn't want to take the risk of dealing with the American health system as tourists. This is gutting but for the best.”
“But, I have a great team around me with adidas TERREX and Precision Fuel and Hydration who will step in to support Michelle.”
“I also have Maj pacing me again, an absolute legend who helped me rally last year. This year I also have Eli Hemming, my adidas Terrex teammate who beat me at Canyons 50km. If he can get me moving half as fast as we were moving that day, we will be pretty rampant.”
“So all is looking good, besides missing my parents there this year.”
You win Western States, UTMB goes amazing, and you're back in NZ.
What are the chances of seeing an SK Main Range attempt?
“Very low, you'll find me diving or up in the mountains just having some down time for a while. The SK Main Range is something for the future though.”
“Everything has its place when you're working to a fullon year of running and racing.”
Adidas duties aside, what 3 international races are on top of your matrix? What about back home in NZ?
“The Istria UTMB event looks fun and I've always wanted to go to Croatia
100km world champs, as I would like to test my ultra speed on the road.
Again, a time and a place for everything.”
All the best for race day, DJ. You’ve got the full support of the NZ trail running community behind you.
If you’re not subscribed already, subscribe to his Substack.
It’s wicked to follow along his journey and get a peak behind the curtain at what it takes to compete at the highest level.
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Hey all the best Dan. I'm sure this is a full on week for you but hope you really enjoy and can smash the race 😁