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Karen K.
Karen K. Sendmail

When to run first ultra

posted almost 2 years ago | Report

I've been running since early 2006 and have completed a dozen races in the past year and a half, including a full marathon last November. I'm currently training for my second marathon.

Would next year be too soon to train for my first ultra? There's a 40-mile trail race in my area that's not too technical. I know this because I ran part of it with a relay team last year. I would love to run the entire thing next September, but I also don't want to set myself up for injury.

Oh, and I currently run 50+ mpw and am hoping to build up to 70 by mid-October. My goal marathon time is 4 hours.

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  • James C.
    James C. Sendmail

    Without changing your training you should be able to complete your first Ultra today. An Ultra is a very different race for us mere mortals. We might race a bit in a Marathon but the ultra is more about beating your own mind and its demons. Try a 50 miler close to home. I am guessing that you are training for the Marine Corps Marathon. Just a few weeks later is the JFK-50 in Hagerstown MD on November 20th (www.jfk50mile.org). There are 86 entries still available. Based on a 4 hour finishing time at MCM you should be able to do the JFK-50 in 10 hours with no change to your training. Many who run JFK also use the MCM as a final tune-up run. Start slow and eat well wile running. If you need running buddies and pacers, contact the Reston Runners (www.restonrunners.org). Good luck.

    posted almost 2 years ago | Report

  • Shannon P.
    Shannon P. Sendmail

    Karen...I salute you for even giving it thought. Yes you can run it no problem. I would recommend going to http://www.scrunners.org/ultrasch.php and plug in the dates as if you were doing a 50 miler. Follow the schedule and you will be there. Let me know if you have any questions. Run Happy Gal!!! Shannon.

    posted over 1 year ago | Report

  • Jane R.
    Jane R. Sendmail

    I am a newbie ultra runner as well. I trained last spring and throughout the summer. I ran 3-4 20 milers, and I ran some short trail races just to see if I could keep up. I found out that I needed to work on my speed a 10 min mile turned out to be a 13 minute mile on the trails and that didn't include brief walking periods on hills that never ended at times. I also learned my hill climbing was weak.

    My fueling process was excellent and I could run for 4-5 hours but that really wasn't good enough.

    Check the trail and challenge ratings for the races you are interested in? 1-5 system

    It sounds like you are fast enough how is your hill climbing?

    I hope to run one this summer 2011 and have been doing hill intervals every week and strength training with some speed work. I am getting stronger.

    GOOD LUCK!!

    Jane

    posted over 1 year ago | Report

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