The foot care behind the 113-hour record on his feet
Catalan runner Oriol Antolí is 42 years old, works as a software engineer and, a month ago, finished second at the Belgium Legends Backyard Ultra after 113 laps, 757 kilometres and 113 hours of continuous running — a new personal record and national record. He has been running in Lurbel socks since 2013.
113 laps, 757 kilometres, 113 hours on your feet. How do you process what you’ve just done?
“It’s very difficult to explain. I’ve always taken on these challenges on a personal level, to prove to myself that I can do them. It’s true that for some time now I’ve had quite a lot of visibility and people classify me as elite — something I would never have imagined. So I really process it when people talk about it and share their thoughts with me. It’s only then that I start to understand what it means and what impact it has on people.”
For those who still don’t know Backyard Ultra: why do the feet become one of the main protagonists when you have been racing for more than two days?
“In Backyard Ultra, you spend many hours running, but managing nutrition, body and mind is what makes the difference between the runners who complete more laps and those who don’t. Using rest time properly allows you to go from enduring 50 hours to enduring 100. And a large part of that use of time is foot maintenance. If you have a problem there, it’s almost certainly the end of the race, because your feet are the first point of contact with the ground. Keeping your feet protected, well hydrated, free from sores and blisters, and pain-free is essential.”
«If you have a problem with your feet, it’s almost certainly the end of the race.»
When did you realise that foot care was a strategic variable, not just a minor detail?
“When we start doing ultras, runners go through a learning process and a journey of self-knowledge: understanding our body and how it responds to ultra-distance. Little by little, you discover what allows you to run without problems. And the foot is, once again, fundamental. I had always suffered from rubbing and heat because I used basic socks, and when I started doing ultras over 100 km, it became unsustainable — not even putting up with the pain from the sores was enough. That was when I discovered Lurbel, I’d say around 2013, and I’ve used them ever since. The way I experience running changed radically, allowing me not only to enjoy my sport more, but also to gradually extend the distance over the years.”
«Since I discovered Lurbel socks, the way I experience running has changed radically: not only do I enjoy my sport more, but I’ve also been able to extend the distance over the years.»
In each Backyard lap, you have a very short time window in the paddock. What does your foot-check protocol look like?
“If we suspect any possible issue, we activate an immediate check. If not, we carry out a check every 6 laps — every 6 hours — where we look at hydration level, rubbing around the foot, rubbing between the toes, nails — making sure they haven’t taken any impacts and aren’t digging into the neighbouring toe — and inflammation in the toes, tendons or similar areas. We do this periodically to make sure no small issue becomes a bigger problem, and so we can solve it in time. At the end of the check, we always rehydrate the foot and assess whether to keep the socks I was wearing or put on a fresh pair.”
You’ve been running in Lurbel socks for years, completely spontaneously. How did you come across them?
“I discovered the brand at the Ultra Trail Muntanyes d’Alacant, I’d say in 2010. But it wasn’t until later that I started using the socks. I was looking to move away from the ones I was wearing at the time, and in a running shop in Terrassa where they sold them, they recommended Lurbel to me. I’ve used them ever since: they adapt very well to the foot without excessive compression, the fabric is comfortable and highly breathable, and most importantly, the rubbing on the outer part of my foot almost completely disappeared.”
What does a sock need to have for you to choose it when you know you’ll be spending 100 hours on top of it?
“I always use socks with some cushioning: for long distances, they give me more confidence. The fact that they have no seams is also essential, especially because what might be a small rubbing point over 3 hours in a marathon becomes a major one over 113 hours in an ultra. Since I was a child, I’ve had problems with foot fungus, so moisture management is very important to me: too much humidity causes skin problems and also fungal issues, which are very uncomfortable during a race. And a good fit is also fundamental. Socks that move or stretch out mean the foot doesn’t sit properly, and sores appear. A fit that is too tight can also end up causing injuries in areas such as the tibial tendons — an injury I’ve had because of socks.”
«What might be a small rubbing point over 3 hours in a marathon becomes a major one over 113 hours.»
Lurbel Bmax socks incorporate Regenactiv fibre. After 50, 80, 100 hours of running, what do you notice in the foot?
“The truth is that I didn’t know the details of the technology before speaking directly with Lurbel. My choice is based more on feel: since I tried Lurbel socks with Bmax, I haven’t stopped using them. In many races, after finishing more than 100 hours later, people have told me that my feet looked as good as new, and other runners have been surprised when they saw them. That has happened to me both in Backyards and in the Spine Race, where I finished with my feet in very good condition despite going through storms and very adverse weather conditions. I’m convinced Bmax technology has something to do with it.”
«After 100 hours of running, other runners have been surprised by the condition of my feet. It has happened to me in Backyards and also in the Spine Race, after going through storms. I’m convinced Bmax technology has something to do with it.»
When and why did toe socks become part of your strategy?
“My foot isn’t exactly model-like, let’s put it that way. I have some toes that overlap, and that means some nails rub against the neighbouring toe, causing wounds. I have several strategies for that — filing the nails properly and seeing a podiatrist before a race — but toe socks solve the problem at the root. Unfortunately, running for more than 30 hours in toe socks causes me some discomfort, so my strategy is to spend the first 30 hours in toe socks to avoid 30 hours of nail rubbing, even if it’s only slight, and then switch to regular socks.”
Lap 106 at Belgium Legends. What happened?
“I had a problem with a blister caused by a badly applied tape. That almost made me abandon, but with Sílvia and Xavi’s encouragement I kept going despite the pain. During the race, to do it quickly, I cut the skin, drained the blister and filled it with antiseptic — something that hurts a lot, but in a short time it’s as if the blister had never existed. That didn’t make me quit on lap 106, but because of the high intensity of that lap, due to the time I had spent dealing with the blister, I started to feel pain in my knees, which eventually made me finish on lap 113.”
Three pieces of advice — because he says they are all important, even though we asked for one — for anyone taking on their first Backyard:
“Keep your feet well hydrated, wear good socks and make sure every small issue is solved the moment it is detected. I know that’s three, but they’re all important.”
And when we asked him whether there had ever been a lap where well-cared-for feet were the decisive factor that allowed him to continue when others dropped out, his answer pointed to Australia:
“At Dead Cow Gully, I saw people finish on laps 90 and 100 with their feet destroyed, while mine were perfect. That’s when it became clear to me that well-cared-for feet are part of my success.”
