A first 50 miler is a bit of a mental game. As with a marathon you can feel a bit sh1t between miles 20 and 26, the difference being that in a 50 miler this comes around the half way mark. A lot of the dropouts happen around the half way mark, but people who make it past the half way mark generally finish the race. Once you hit 30 miles, you start to get some sense that the task ahead of you is getting smaller, and from there you are chopping the remaining part of the race down into ever smaller pieces. The best way to approach the race mentally is to always focus on the next checkpoint, and promise yourself a little treat when you get to each checkpoint, even if it is just some jelly beans or a piece of chocolate. Run with other positive people. This might sound harsh, but if a person is talking themselves into quitting, then run with somebody else. When you finish the race savour the moment, because it is a truly magic moment. The moment when all the effort pays off, and you know you have finished your first 50 miler. Hang around and watch a few other people finish if you can spare the time.
Ben, unless Booktrunk forces me to do an ultra (as she did my impending Marathon) then I won't need your sage advice for one, however, in smaller chunks I guess it works for a Marathon as well so thank-you and just hope I'm a positive person and not the person others steer clear of
Booktrunk - I like your style. Flapjacks here too, but - oh, the shame - not home made but M&S mini bites ones .
35 miles for me on Sunday - not the 50, but still 5 miles further than I've ever done before. What could possibly go wrong (apart from falling in the reservoir)?
Ben - I've just realised I recognise you from the SVP100 thread - how did you get on?
I'm in exactly the same boat. 4Hour ish for the first 20M.
The two 15M laps 3:30 then 4 it's all a bit unknown might do 3:20 / 3:20 and crack 11 might have to have a bit of a longer walk break at some point who knows.... Say hi whilst your going around The hair ain't pink anymore it went blonde about an hour ago
What I love is the fact the first few are probably going to lap me! hehe It's going to be quite tight but i think maybe the first 4 - 6 will get me. If you look at the facebook page there were 3 under 8 hours last year! Bloody impressive!
If it goes 100% perfect I could in theory i guess be around 7:30 for 35 miles but I'm thinking it might be closer to 8:30
Well done everyone! 9 hrs 8 min for me..... Still can't quite believe I ran it that quick (Was expecting about 11 hrs). U still doing Leicester marathon book trunk?
Well done everyone. There were some amazing performances out there. Whether you won, clocked a PB or struggled in through the pain barrier - well done. It was tough our there in the heat. We did not expect Costa Del Ladybower this time of year!
thanks for staying safe and being such a great bunch. You all looked out for each other.
Comments
Always fancied this one, but it is a bit too close to the SVP 100k this year.
Is there anybody doing their first 50 who would like some last minute advice?
Haha go for it. The more the merrier
Unless it's don't listen to any last minute advice!
A first 50 miler is a bit of a mental game. As with a marathon you can feel a bit sh1t between miles 20 and 26, the difference being that in a 50 miler this comes around the half way mark. A lot of the dropouts happen around the half way mark, but people who make it past the half way mark generally finish the race. Once you hit 30 miles, you start to get some sense that the task ahead of you is getting smaller, and from there you are chopping the remaining part of the race down into ever smaller pieces. The best way to approach the race mentally is to always focus on the next checkpoint, and promise yourself a little treat when you get to each checkpoint, even if it is just some jelly beans or a piece of chocolate. Run with other positive people. This might sound harsh, but if a person is talking themselves into quitting, then run with somebody else. When you finish the race savour the moment, because it is a truly magic moment. The moment when all the effort pays off, and you know you have finished your first 50 miler. Hang around and watch a few other people finish if you can spare the time.
Ben, unless Booktrunk forces me to do an ultra (as she did my impending Marathon) then I won't need your sage advice for one, however, in smaller chunks I guess it works for a Marathon as well so thank-you and just hope I'm a positive person and not the person others steer clear of
Thanks Ben
That's seriously good advice, and i've taken note Be positive, I will take that to heart.
GHOD I AM SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!! Iphone 5S ordered, hair going blond at lunchtime. Flapjacks cooked........ Life sorted... my first ultra HERE I COME
Booktrunk - I like your style. Flapjacks here too, but - oh, the shame - not home made but M&S mini bites ones .
35 miles for me on Sunday - not the 50, but still 5 miles further than I've ever done before. What could possibly go wrong (apart from falling in the reservoir)?
Ben - I've just realised I recognise you from the SVP100 thread - how did you get on?
Running Rodent (whisper, i've not gone over 30 yet... don't remind me). first time for everything.
Anyone caught Falling in the water will be DQ'd
How many are entered Kingy..?
Had a few dropping out or changing to lower distance... But
50- 67 runners
35- 31 runners
20 - 62 runners
Wow, plenty of company for the 50 then
Really very nervous / excited now. See you on Sunday..!
Dw4 any timing plans or just get around?
I'm really hoping 11ish but 12:59 I'd take
Exactly the same hopes
Aiming at 25/5 run/walk from the start running at around 10.30m/m. With a couple of stops for re stocking I guess that'll bring me in around 10.45
but
never done over 26 before so it's all a big guess past there.!
I'm in exactly the same boat. 4Hour ish for the first 20M.
The two 15M laps 3:30 then 4 it's all a bit unknown might do 3:20 / 3:20 and crack 11 might have to have a bit of a longer walk break at some point who knows.... Say hi whilst your going around The hair ain't pink anymore it went blonde about an hour ago
I'll keep an eye out for you - I'm not a mysterious silhouette btw, tall, glasses, can't miss me
See you on Sunday
No matter where I stand, I am always a silhouette stood on the edge of something
Running Rodent, I finished the SVP100k, though it took me a bit longer than expected. Got a very nice t shirt and medal out of it!
Wow that is more than I expected. Good luck everybody Got to get back to my carb loading now.
see you all Sunday
cheers Steve
What I love is the fact the first few are probably going to lap me! hehe It's going to be quite tight but i think maybe the first 4 - 6 will get me. If you look at the facebook page there were 3 under 8 hours last year! Bloody impressive!
If it goes 100% perfect I could in theory i guess be around 7:30 for 35 miles but I'm thinking it might be closer to 8:30
Ben - good work. I think the ploughed fields came as a surprise to everyone!
My friends are saying I'm mad to try ladybower50 and when I said only the winners get a medal they laughed. So want to earn that tee shirt tomorrow
See you all tomorrow.
Sorry if I'm painfully slow and hold you up tomorrow evening kingy
Just get in under the 13 hours nice and safe.
see youtomorrow
looking forward to the race. It is a big day. The relief I feel when you all cross the finish safe and sound is priceless.
nice weather booked in. Happy days
Fantastic day at Ladybower. All the organisers were so friendly and put on a really geat, relaxed but well run race.
Smashed my expected time to come in with 10.26 - very pleased with myself
Brilliant time !!!
i struggled so badly, wanted to quit.. Just kept plodding. I was last!
But I did it. 11:55 give or take a minute
Fantastic organisation 100%
To struggle and still come in with an hour to spare is fantastic. That second lap was a bit bloody warm, certainly took a lot out of me
Well done everyone! 9 hrs 8 min for me..... Still can't quite believe I ran it that quick (Was expecting about 11 hrs). U still doing Leicester marathon book trunk?
Well done everyone. There were some amazing performances out there. Whether you won, clocked a PB or struggled in through the pain barrier - well done. It was tough our there in the heat. We did not expect Costa Del Ladybower this time of year!
thanks for staying safe and being such a great bunch. You all looked out for each other.
i find all of you very inspirational. Well done
steve and the marshalling team.