Well, a bit of research tells me a spartathlon is a 246km run from Athens to Sparta. In terms of advice, where are we starting from? What is your current training regime Kevin?
I've heard of it! Read about it somewhere ages ago. I think the RRC covered it a year or so back when some of their ultra runners did it. About 176 miles isn't it? The RRC should be able to offer a training schedule, but you might have to buy a book or join the club to access the info. (Membership £12.50 a year, or £15 for 2 people at same address) Yes i am a member!!
I used to live in Greece just off the coast of the Peloponese & one of the competitors in this event used to aclimatise himself to the conditions of the run on the island where I lived. In fact I was lucky enough to have done a couple of training runs with him. Any way as mentioned above it is 246 km run from Athens to Sparta over mountain roads & passes retaracing the steps of that man again .....Phiedipedies(something like that). It's held at the end of October or the begining of Nov. I'll dig around tomorrow & find a phone no or web adress. Good luck ........ you'll need it. PM
Redhead Not as far as I could tell. If I managed to translate the German website reasonably well the qualifying criterion was that you had completed at least 180km in 24 hours in a previous event. I think I might have to give this a miss this year...
When I started 10k seemed impossible At 10k a half marathon seemed impossible At 13.1mile a marathon seemed impossible At 26.2mile - 50 mile seemed impossible At 50 mile – 100 mile seemed impossible Now at 100 mile 50 seems a nice training run
Personally, I think that some people are even madder than me
WW that quote is quite true isn't it? I started running at the end of Jan to do a 5k. Never EVER thought I'd run it. Then I ran a 10k (x3) heading for 1st 10 miler next week, training for my 1st 1/2m at the end of Sept. Is this the slippery slope?..........
Thanks for your input, sorry I've been on holiday so haven't had a chance to reply.
Glenn, Currently I'm doing mostly off-road events: LDWA challenge walks/runs (30->60 miles),Mountain Marathons etc, I did a Bob Graham in July (72 miles, 28000ft ascent), and am down for the London to Brighton in Oct.
Pizza Man, The weather conditions are my main concern. How hot is it in Sept. in Greece ?
Can still be hot, but a lot cooler than the summer. You'll just have to wait & see. I believe when you're up around Nemea in the mountains past Corinth it will be night so a bit cooler. Do they still have the cut off time limit at Corinth? Did you find the entry details? It was advertised in an issue of RW last spring/summer sorry but for some reason I've torn the page out (must have had an entry form on the reverse). If you want to know which month it was & find someone who's got it, let me know & I'll have alook. Good luck, PM
Comments
Will
"research tells me a spartathlon is a 246km run from Athens to Sparta"
My advice - see a doctor - you are obviously mad!
(But if you are seriously considering it, good luck!)
Yes i am a member!!
Any way as mentioned above it is 246 km run from Athens to Sparta over mountain roads & passes retaracing the steps of that man again .....Phiedipedies(something like that). It's held at the end of October or the begining of Nov. I'll dig around tomorrow & find a phone no or web adress.
Good luck ........ you'll need it.
PM
Not as far as I could tell. If I managed to translate the German website reasonably well the qualifying criterion was that you had completed at least 180km in 24 hours in a previous event. I think I might have to give this a miss this year...
http://www.ultramarathonworld.com/uw_training.htm
On one of the pages there is an iteresting quote:
When I started 10k seemed impossible
At 10k a half marathon seemed impossible
At 13.1mile a marathon seemed impossible
At 26.2mile - 50 mile seemed impossible
At 50 mile – 100 mile seemed impossible
Now at 100 mile 50 seems a nice training run
Personally, I think that some people are even madder than me
Will
Glenn,
Currently I'm doing mostly off-road events: LDWA challenge walks/runs (30->60 miles),Mountain Marathons etc, I did a Bob Graham in July (72 miles, 28000ft ascent), and am down for the London to Brighton in Oct.
Pizza Man,
The weather conditions are my main concern.
How hot is it in Sept. in Greece ?
Seriously , good luck though.
Did you find the entry details?
It was advertised in an issue of RW last spring/summer sorry but for some reason I've torn the page out (must have had an entry form on the reverse). If you want to know which month it was & find someone who's got it, let me know & I'll have alook.
Good luck,
PM
(But you have to admit that the challenge does have a certain attraction!)