Hi all,
I have decided to push myself and have entered my first ultra, Snowdonia in July next year. I think I'm looking forward to it - my reckoning was if I'm going to do an ultra I might as well choose a stunning location that may be more than a bit difficult...
Anyway, I'm also running the London Marathon in April next year. What are your thoughts in terms of training? Should I just concentrate on the marathon until London is out the way or should I incorporate Ultra training? My plan for London is to try and get a sub 3.20, is this silly with an Ultra planned? Though it is 3 months later...
Any suggestions? Also any good training plans to help me conquer those small hills??
Thanks in advance
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You'll have plenty of time to recover from your marathon so target a good time for London. After that I would suggest extending about four of your long runs during May and June into the high 20s - I wouldn't go over 30. These runs need to be very slow and on as near to the expected terrain as you can find in your area. Make your last one three weeks before race day.
I've done the marathon twice, including this year's. The extra 11 miles or so will take you into the very marshy Moel Hebog area. In all expect rocky technical trail, bog sections, as well as easier paths and a little tarmac.
We do have some nasty off-road hills around here, not that long (1/2 mile) but a couple of sections touch 20% gradient, think I might be doing some loops!
Any recommendations on the best shoes? I'm looking at the la sportiva mutant trial at the moment...
Thanks in advance
I notice the ultra route makes an enormous climb to the top of the Vivian Quarry in Llanberis just before the finish! The first section of the climb leading to a lane coming down from the top has about 400 steps (called the zig-zags - you'll see why) and I think carries on climbing right to the very lip of the quarry at the top before a quad-punishing descent through the woods.
After a road marathon I don't run at all for 5 days and then ease myself back in gradually over the the following two weeks or so. I wouldn't do any fast-paced races for about a month if I were you.
Ultra very different to marathon as pace, terrain changes frequently - some ways easier :-)
I'm doing something similar but in reverse i.e hilly trail ultra followed by road marathon a few months later, although I have a bit longer between races than you.
Good luck