Näak Ambassador Pierre-Michel Arcand

ELITE ULTRA-RUNNER

QC, CANADA

Pierre-Michel's favorite fuel

"I PARTICULARLY APPRECIATE THE DIFFICULT AND TECHNICAL TRAILS AND WHAT PEOPLE CONSIDER IMPOSSIBLE."

Slowly but surely, I am starting to become one of the trail veterans in Quebec. I started this sport after spending a few years doing 3 sports, two of which I loved. I subscribed to the age group podiums on Ironman 70.3 for a few years before realizing that with children, I no longer had the time to spend a whole day on a bike and to understand the pool schedules. So I quit triathlons to focus on running thanks to a new exclusive run switch training.

Since I compete in ultramarathons, whether 50 or 160 km, I particularly appreciate the difficult and technical trails and what people consider impossible. I have had my share of podiums on all distances including victories in the VT100 km, Ultra traces 160km from Guadeloupe and races where I literally exploded such as in QMT50 2019 where I finished 2nd.

My future goals include validating that I still have gas in the tank by trying, for the 4th time, to run under a 2h40m marathon (3x 2h43) and by continuing to run races which exceed the imagination in terms of landscape, distance, and places.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2020 WON ULTRA TRACE GUADELOUPE 154K

2019 WON QUEBEC MEGA TRAIL 50K

2017 Won Vermont 100k Ultra Race

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU EVERY DAY TO TRAIN?

Getting to and from work. My legs are my means of transportation, so it motivates me to go somewhere.

DO YOU HAVE A PERSON WHO INSPIRES YOU?

I'm not the fanatic type, but apart from my two nostrils which inspire me regularly, I must admit that I share a certain admiration for other parent-athletes!

WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR NOT LOSING ENERGY DURING your races?

I try to apply the lessons of Asterix: "when the appetite goes all goes". To have an appetite, you need morale, and if you have a head then you are able to continue eating. If we eat regularly we avoid energy reductions.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST RACING MEMORY?

Almost an impossible question to be answered, but I would go with my victory in the 100 km of the Vermont 100. This was a race where at no time was victory won; it was only a handful of kilometers from the finish that I realized that the chances of my pursuer catching up to me were almost zero. However, this victory comes just before that of the 100 miles on the Ultra Trace of Guadeloupe through the impenetrable jungle and its kilometers of beaches.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU LIKE TO DO AFTER A RACE?

Definitely drink a beer. This is what I have also been doing the day before each of my races for almost 10 years. It's my best kept secret, so let's not talk about it ok.

What is your favorite music to surpass yourself in training?

When I run, I never listen to music. I prefer to listen to podcasts to optimize my time to learn while running. Besides, when I forget my headphones I must admit that my repetitive journey can almost have meditative and relaxing effects.

What is your favourite Näak product?

The Sea Salt Chocolate Ultra Energy Bar. I always take this flavor with me during my ultramarathons (and in my drawer at work when I don't have time for dinner, but that's a secret).