after running for 2 years im really keen to get into the wonderful world of ultra running. have heard so many lovely and great things about the groups that do these distances and wondered how many others would like a 'newbie ultra' thread...
..im wanting to do JW ultra next year and have been looking at the Gloucester 50k...anyone else starting out in 'ultra world' and have a goal or ultra in their diary already?.......anyone experiencing mind boggling training and problems fitting in time to do it? im sure this will be one of my main problems.......
hands up who has done their first ultra and loved it-share it please
Comments
I am about to undertake my seventh ultra, but you never forget the first.
The feeling of fulfilment on finishing your first is proportional to the challenge involved. You know that you have done something that relatively few runners in the U.K have done. You just don't get that sense of satisfaction from running a half marathon.
Also you will never find a friendlier more inclusive group of people to run with. The nature of ultras and the pace they are run at makes them much more social events.
Be forewarned however that they are very addictive. Once you have done one you will almost certainly want to do another!
Im looking at running an ultra and need to start training any ideas
JG.. this is one id like to do too...maybe not for a first ultra though........heat+distance=tricky!lol
ben, i know once ive done one i will be doing another, i have that sort of addictive nature....and yes ive heard that the groups are very sociable and close knit
what distances have you done so far JG?
JB74...still up for JW ultra?
I did the Lightning Run as a soloist this year and am signed up for the Thames Path 100 next March.
I'd like to do JW as it's local to me.
Just thinking about a 33mile race at Glen Ogle, which is being run this year for the first time. It's 5 weeks after Loch NEss marathon, which I'm doing as my 6th marathon. I don't know whether this is sensible, but I'm tempted. Can I alter my last 8 weeks marathon training to push towards the longer distance in november?- I'm already doing bigger mileage than I've ever done before, but by most folks standards, it's not much (30-35 miles per week).
Does anyone know of any traiing plans for 33mie ultras? Just so I can get an idea what's recommended for LSR distance.
Thanks- got it- looks like my marathon fits in nicely as a long trainig run- I'd need to go slower than planned for it, and just not really taper for it, and the thing looks do- able.
Ho hum..............how to break it to the other half?
Helloooooooooooooo Loula...................
You really have got me tempted now but not for The 50k in January but maybe after my next mara. Will have a look at the training plan you mentioned....
Have all the ultra races got a time limit ??? Its the only thing puttin me off ....wouldn't like to go all that way for it not be recognised......LOL Suppose the challenge would be for me to get faster.....then I wouldn't need to worry about not meeting the cut off......
well the Gloucester one has.. but i dont think JW has a cut off...i think on the results for Gloucester someone finished in 5:20..so does that mean no medal? as Ben said i thought the emphasis was on finishing, not just ontime goals....?
hmm, thats a bit of a stinker , because people get a medal at london no matter what time they clock in....there is an article i kept from a sunday magazine earlier in the year and i found it so inspirational...it was heart stopping..about the spartathalon .meant to be the hardest ultra on earth, worse than des sables....hre is the link for anyone interested: its by a reporter called 'Robin Harvie' the article is called 'distance no object' and it was featured in the Telegraph magazine...the race is 152miles ..time limit..36hours....
if you type into google bar' robin harvie distance no object article' it will appear
Hi Loula
Mmmm, I'm so very, very tempted... but am waiting to see how my marathon goes in October. And then I'm kind of stuck on the IM tri next year. Can't really see beyond that at the moment.
Can anyone tell me how long it takes to recover from an Ultra? And do folk run the whole way. Or do a run/walk combination?
Really do like the idea of Hadrians wall....
Oh, so much to do... and if I plan one big event each year it's going to take me a long time to do all these fun things!
chili, the guy who did spartathalon said he slept 13hrs a day for 3month aferwards!!!! sounds fine to me!! lol
....JG, criey 3:15 for a mara...think i'll be nearer 4:30hr..
..and i think once you have done one ultra its onwards and upwards......
Right-I've managed the most difficult bit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-told my other half!
Also getting back to the running after my cold -11miles home from work, felt fine. If I can work up to manage there and back the same day, that would be a help, I reckon.
Howdee All,
Yes Loula im still up for doing the jw ultra and yes i will look into doing the Glos Ultra least it will be cold so even more of an incentive to get done in a quick time haha
..hi shona...taking on an ultra after doing a 5k and a 10k in oct is quite a big leap-and 'the wall 'at that!...if you really are determined to go for it i would really suggest seeing how you go with the 10k..then adopt a half marathon training plan and build up to doing 13mile runs at a weekend so it becomes a normal run..after that increase your runs slowly...ie stick to 13 miles for 3/4 weeks then increase to 14 for 3 weeks etc..until you do it you dont know how your body will handle it..i think most of us on here are at least on 13miles for a weekend run.
download an ultra training plan designed for females which i posted on the previous page here.....at the moment you may not rely upon fuel/hydration in training , but that is something that has to be looked at as you go further and further....the tank basically runs out at 18miles...and not all the same fuels/foods work for us all....
...btw..i am by no means an expert on any of this and im sure the others on here who have done an ultra will have better advice than i...these are just things ive listened to/been told/advice ive read...lol ...im willing to learn and absorb any info i get!!
JB..i think Gloucester would be great, just a tad sceptical about getting the training in in winter time....mind you there is INDOOR training/excercise to be done....
Hey-lo
I'm trying to weigh up whether to step up to ultras after a few marathons, or conquer my crappy swimming and move in to triathlons...
Each time I think I have decided, I change my mind!
Btw - if the long distance tri peeps have pirates, what do regular ultras get? Can they get their own group recognition - like cowboys? or ... or something better I can't think of?
BB
hi BB...i think ultra runners are just that...a small collective...lol...maybe we should make up a goup name though if there isnt one...good idea....
Loulabell - how does an ultra training plan for women differ from one for men? I'm intrigued - I don't think I've ever seen a female-specific marathon training plan (maybe I've led a sheltered life) - is it something to do with different fat burning rates?