Ultra Distance Running

I am an ultra marathon runner; I have finished many ultras including the last three Marathon Des Sable (MDS) races back to back. I am heading for #4 next April. I would like to share the last year experience in training which was extremely minimal. All my three runs, especially the last one, came during the years of 14-16 hours of work 6 days a week as I was launching my own personal training studio and presenting a TV show amongst other commitments, which left me no or little time to train. Last year training was very low volume; I have 2 running routes near work one is 5Km and the other is 8 Km, I used to run 4 times a week on these 2 routes, using gaps in my schedule, so the choice of the distance came according to the amount of time I had. On the weekend I ran exactly six one and a half hour sessions with elite ultra runners (including the one who got second 3times and third once in that specific race) my task in these runs was simple, we run 45 minutes one way, come back as we were coming back I had to push hard in an attempt to stop the elites from catching up to me. I also did one steep uphill run for 2 hours with the back pack, and camped in the desert for 1 night and did three runs (a 45 minute, 1 and half hour and a 1hour). That was all the running training I did. The rest of the training was similar to that in the article as I used my 20 minutes gaps for strength training. Now I have to tell you as I was running in the race I totally cussed my self out at every step, my confidence was extremely shaky, and for the first time in the three years I had my doubts of finishing. As the last 2 stages approached, and after loading the millage in the first 4 stages in the race, my running became extremely strong and I felt like the wind. The funny part is this my first MDS came in at 315, from 801 participants, year 2 I came 326 from 850 and finally year three at 328 from 1060 participants, adding that the last year was the hottest. I know this is not by any measure a scientific back up to your article but I had to share the experience.