What's holding you back from an ultra?

[deb]

back to your original question rune.....I'd love to be able to do ultra's....and as I get older and have less 'family' responsibilities and more time to train, it may become a goal.

i still haven't decided if I like lsd's more than speed work or vice versa. I'll get back to you on this after I've actually ran a marathon or two!

[Doonst]

So the TO 50km is a good entry level run? I am interested.

March 2007 give a shed load of time to prepare....any takers?

I can't imagine a better course for a first ultra. (I did the 30 K this year there.)
It is a paved bike path, 5K out, 5K back, so you get to know whats coming, and see everybody a lot. Early May, perfect timing for weather. Video available here: http://ouser.org/photos/06/tu/tur06_b.wmv

More stuff here: http://ouser.org/photos.htm

Vulture Bait in London, mid October is another easier course. Still on a dirt trail though, could be goofy in the rain.

[Scotty]

Hm, not something I'd ever considered before, but I could say that about running in general.

Well I am aiming at my first marathon in November...after that A-stan...so obviiously couldn't be a goal til almost 08....

But to answer the question it seems very intimidating...but the bragging rights would be...good.

[cimit]

Why would anyone want to run past the 42.2km mark?

[Jwolf]

It's something I've never really considered, either, just because getting up to marathon distances was quite hard for me... and I did a fairly low mileage marathon program. I love the long distances required for marathon training, but I'm not sure I'd want to do more than that. Then again, it wasn't too long ago when I couldn't imagine myself doing these kinds of distances.

My goal right now is to improve on marathon tiime and later try to BQ; if I take training further than that, I'd likely move toward triathlon.

[CarrieH]

Alright all you non ultra, ultra to be lurkers. I'm curious as to what stops you from trying an ultra. Time? Ability? Perceived ability? Intimidation?
Lets hear it so I can talk you all into one!

Happy trails,
Rune

honestly, I can't run worth ... er, beans at the moment! And I'm totally fine with being at the back of the pack, they're friendly back there! But I want to!!! I love long distances walking, and I just started working on 10:1s to get closer to the ultra goal (my neighbours have asked me to wheeze/gasp for breath much more quietly on my returns). The training doesn't intimidate me, but not knowing other important "stuff" (hydration, shoes, clothing, food, critters on the trail - if there are snakes, lie to me!!, etc.) is scary.

[mlazenby]

Which do you think would be the easiest 100 Rune - Sulphur Springs or Haliburton? SS looks a lot hillier but it seems like the trail at Haliburton would be a LOT harder during the night.

[Irongirl]

to answer the question.....

Ironman.

And, no real desire to run that long.

[HCcD]

Yep, running an ultra is definitely on my radar ... I've got two years to qualify for Boston, for when I am 45 ... and, that would likely be my earliest time frame when I am 45 and older ...

[The Donald]

ultras are lsd for most! mostly slower! VERY few race hard. everyone has their own personal goals. most is to be able to make it to the finish and still drink beer. others is to beat a time and still drink beer. others is to beat someone and drink a beer before they finish. ultimately everyone loves hanging out sharing stories at the finish line over a beer!

rune

Don't run ultras 'cause I don't drink beer!!

[Midge]

ultras are lsd for most! mostly slower! VERY few race hard. everyone has their own personal goals. most is to be able to make it to the finish and still drink beer. others is to beat a time and still drink beer. others is to beat someone and drink a beer before they finish. ultimately everyone loves hanging out sharing stories at the finish line over a beer!

rune

Don't run ultras 'cause I don't drink beer!!

Valid point

[dwayne_runs_far]

Why would anyone want to run past the 42.2km mark?

Because 42.2 is an arbitrary distance defined by where the Queen was sitting in the stadium The first marathon of the modern Olympics was 25 miles, it was extended to 26m 385yards to make the finish line in front of the royal box at the stadium.

The longer you go, the slower you go and the easier it feels. Really, I'm not making that up

Dwayne

[Tri_K]

I don't think I'm a good enough runner "yet". I still have to work to a marathon but I'm not sure if I'm even going to be able to do that in under 6 hours. It's not really running talent, I just don't push myself to go faster. If it helps, I love to go and watch lja race in ultras! I am doing a leg of the Death race, so that may make me a junior ultra runner.

[msdesigner]

Running for me has never been about speed (well, I don't want to be last,but...) so if I am a successful motor city marathoner (my 1st marathon), then I would likely be interested.

I have always loved hiking the trails so with an ultra, I would just be moving a bit faster and going further.

[Size5]

It is interesting that everyone seems to suggest that a marathon is an essential stepping stone to running an ultra.

Umm hello people 21.1km to 50km in a training year It can be done and apparently it isn't all horrible for you either

S5

[Size5]

Why would anyone want to run past the 42.2km mark?

Funny - someone who runs 10kms might say the same thing about 42.2 km. There are about as many reasons to run an ultra as there are ultra runners

S5

[Lx2run]

Back again to the original question.

I love running trails and my 1st marathon didn't kill me and you all seem so easy to get along with so I think I will push for Vulture Bait in London, mid October.

Now I have to decide if it will be 25 or 50?

[bnn]

I think I'll try an ultra after I finish IMC 2007.

[Prairiekid]

I can imagine a day when I might want to try an ultra, but I've got my sights set on Boston first.

Also, I have to admit that the amount of training time has me spooked - sometimes even marathon training is just too much time. What would the training be like for, say, a 50-miler?

-Pam

P.S. DWAYNE - You ARE NOT allowed to start bugging me about this until AFTER Boston!

P.P.S. DWAYNE AGAIN - The position of pacer is open for my BQ attempt at the 2007 Manitoba Marathon...

[pts]

My stomach- If i could figure out a way to finish 50k without throwing up, i would potentially be in.

Not sure if i have the running ability yet though.

[Jo-Jo]

Main reason....

I'm worried I would become as wierd as you

Heck...let me finish a Marathon first

Joanne
C-Moss: I apologize.

[rune163]

My stomach- If i could figure out a way to finish 50k without throwing up, i would potentially be in.

Not sure if i have the running ability yet though.

some see puking in an ultra as a badge of honor. i'm disappointed and somewhat pissed (as is lounge lizard) that i didn't puke on the bruce trail. this guy i know vince charbonneau has puked in more states and provinces running than anyone on record!

on a serious note, the slower pace generally is easier on your stomach. you have the ability, can you convince your mind to run 50?!

happy trails,
rune

[kpoire]

I must admit I think about doing an ultra a lot since I started back running again. Before I took my three year "break", I didn't even consider it and thought I would never do an ultra. But since I got my running mojo back about 6 -7 months ago, ultras have been on my brain. I am actually between an ultra and a triathlon but leaning towards an ultra.

My focus right now is my marathon in the fall and if I can get my time to a level that I am pleased with I am going to be strongly looking at an ultra in 2007 (and slightly change my long term goals in 2007).

I tend to be an all or nothing so if I am going to do one, I would be looking at a 100km. Suggestions on events? I have done a couple of searches for ultra training plans but tend to get ones for 50k - any suggestions? How much training time should I give myself? So many questions. Like a kid in a candy store.

I guess you don't need to talk me into one, I have already done that. I just need the tools to get me to start training.

[lxiao]

For me, it's about the time...my kids are really young, and I travel a lot for work, so just finding the time to be able to train for a marathon is a huge challenge, never mind an ultra. That's really the only reason for me. Maybe in a few years when my kids are older and have no interest in spending quality time with me (or rather, are more interested in hanging out with their friends than hanging out with Mom).

[ultraslacker]

nothing is stopping me except just the right opportunity... thinking about blackfoot next year (just the 50k) but will decide after OIM. :)