Hi all,
Please don't slate me too much. I know for an Ultra you have to be organised and dedicated.
I have started running again after a few years out. I have taken it real slowly and letting my body catch up with me. I'm doing 2 HM end of April then a Marathon end of May. I don't think these will be a problem as long as I stay injury free. If the truth be known I am looking to hopefully get to a level where i can do some ultra Marathons. Now I was wondering.... this year I am going to take part in a few Marathons, HM etc and get as many under my belt as possible. Now would it be reasonable to think next year to do an Ultra? Would it be best to book a place now and work towards it? If so are their any good ones to start off with in the South West of England?
Thanks and apologies if this question has been ask a thousand times but really I thought its best to start thinking about this now, so any advice would be appreciated
Lee
Comments
I don't see the need to sign up for next year already. Don't wish your life away, as my mum used to say. Enjoy the events you are doing this year, focus on them, and see if the desire is still there afterwards, in which case you can spend the winter looking for your ideal first ultra.
There's no rush in the ultra world.
In terms of events, just use the events tab on this site, or Google, or just keep your eye on these forums and you'll find the one for you.
Off the back of marathon training you will be fine for a 33 mile run. Marlborough Challange is one I did last year and plan to do again this year - 12th of May this year so maybe a bit before the marathon?
I am in the South West too. What Marathon / halfs have you entered?
Plenty of people have skipped marathon altogether, and gone half marathon then ultra.
Once you can do a 20 mile training run, you can actually complete most ultras.
hello again
you could take a look at the endurance life website,http://www.endurancelife.com/event.asp?series=54
there are some stunning coastal trail runs, from 10k up to Ultra marathon. I am planning on trying the Dorset one if its on again at the end of the year (once i have recovered from the VLM!)
Or what about the Jurassic Coast Challenge http://www.votwo.co.uk/_webapp_1205242/Jurassic_Coast_Challenge_2012
3 marathons in three days, or as the strapline says "78.6 miles, 3 days, 2 feet"
sorry that these are all trail runs, but I really like trail running so these are the only ones i have heard about!
I don't think you are being too ambitious, its good to challenge yourself, as Edmund Hillary said 'its not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves'
Aah the Exe to Axe, really enjoyed that one! Just went to check the date, but clashes with the White Horse half - must do it again though. Went out too fast and paid for it by the time I got to Branscombe!
Consider a virtual arm-twisting in progress.
Good run, take it easy on the first half as the bigger hills come in the second. Muddy in the first half when I ran it with a couple of slippery hills.
If the sun comes out it can be really scenic with great views over the sea. Enjoy over taking the day trippers on the hills! The gap between the Sidmouth cp and the Branscombe one is quite long so fill up on water etc at Sidmouth. Once you are up over the hill at Branscombe then the one at Beer feels like nothing and then you are home!
Watch out for grannies and people walking with out a care along the seafront - towards the end your reflexes are not as sharp!
Would love to do it again! Took me around 4 hours - compared to a flat 20 miles in around 2H40 as a guide.
Go for it Vicar! To be honest I found the 33 miler easier than the marathon as you run at a more relaxed pace with more people to chat to and get / give support to.
Not at all is this too ambitionous, I have been running just over a year now. This year I am planning on 9 marathon and 3 ultras in a 12-12-12 thing im doing. Just take your time and do not get obsessed with times. My first marathon last year I was obsessed with going sub 4 and did not enjoy it as much.
Also correct with If I am wrong but I think the general rule for ultra training is to do back to back totalling more than the distance, So for 35 miles do 20 Saturday and 16 Sunday/
hello 'the vicar' ...we are popping up all over now to give you helpful advice! i too have only been running a short while and did 2 HMs last year and a mara last month..now the rest of my events for ths year are mostly ultras so it can be done!
i think the hey is definately to enjoy the ultra scene. and as Tiago said, take your time, in choosing events and in running them. i found 10K and HMs good training but there isnt really a social scene. ultras have a much smaller community and very friendly. plenty of hours to chat to the people you are runnung with
i did my first marathon with the aim of finishing comfortably and not getting too stuck on beating a time-im glad i did as i really really really enjoyed it and couldnt have asked for a better first marathon...im hoping my first ultra in may will be the same. if you pop over to the newbie ultra thread most of us who have posted above are on ther...you will be very welcome there , Loula
Vicar, i've been running regulary since 1988 and am an ultra newbie! Been a 10k runner, then halfs and marathons and now ultras!!
You should move to Northern Ireland, we hardly have any races on sundays and a couple of years ago there was an outcry when they thought of moving the Belfast marathon to a sunday!!
Good luck!
Ran as a pacer for a friend doing the 73 mile Dartmoor Round intending to run 12miles carrying his food and navigating. Found myself in the pub some hours later having got carried away and ran 50 miles! Never done more than 20miles previously. Been hooked ever since.
Just enjoy your running aim only to finish . If you are not enjoying the view you are running too fast(especially in devon/dorset.
Thanks Loula for that very encouraging. Thats what I like to hear that theirs a bit of camaraderie going on too. That to me is very important.
Whitehead runner, lol I didnt know that-But i'm not surprised
Hi Ian thanks for that. It definitely seems doable and not out of reach. I have a long way to go before I can do it but its very encouraging hearing other peoples stories
Just been chatting to a friend who says he is running the Liberty trail from Yeovil to Lyme Regis this July. 28 miles in all. So I may aim for that. Its a lot of trail running so I'm not sure if that will be different training as to road running?
Nights are drawing out now so it is easier to get on the trails. Even around parks help.