Ultra training for beginners

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Derby Tup 14 Jan 11:24am, 14 Jan 2024 63,700 posts	0 Derby Tup Find shoes that work for you and stuff you can use to refuel. The two most likely things that'll stop (or at least prevent you enjoying it) outside of your heading going, are really bad blisters, or an upset stomach / not being able to refuel After that just get on your feet and build up your mileage steadily. If you're looking to complete rather than compete don't worry about walking the hills
HappyG(rrr) 14 Jan 11:27am, 14 Jan 2024 49,131 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Get your eating right. (Can't keep moving if you're puking!) Do you want more than 1 tip? If it involves night (it's the run away from a point thing isn't it? And 24 hours? So must be night stuff?) then practice going through the night. I totally shut down in night sections and hated that. Training wise, learn foot care. And all other areas of potential chaffage. If you've got blisters in 6 or 8 hours, that's 16 or more hours to keep going on top. Not good! Worry less about training. 24 hours yiu won't be running more than 50%? So get used to walking. The mental bit is - just keep moving. Relentless forward progress and all that! Best of luck. Long ultras are a real voyage of self discovery. G
HappyG(rrr) 14 Jan 11:28am, 14 Jan 2024 49,132 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Lol x-post with DT. Glad our 2 main tips were food and blisters in common! G
Derby Tup 14 Jan 11:29am, 14 Jan 2024 63,703 posts	0 Derby Tup Great tips. Looking at your recent training fetcheveryone assuming you don't go out and not log walks I'd say get out more often, evening if for a brisk 30 minute walk
fetcheveryone 14 Jan 12:10pm, 14 Jan 2024 30,071 posts	0 fetcheveryone I'm not the best at remembering to log walks, but you're definitely right that I can fit more in. K and I have talked about getting more walks in, so I hope to put that right. The dog will be very happy. I am very happy with my shoes. After a couple of years with recurring calf injuries, I switched to Nike Pegs, and things have gone very well with them. I don't tend to blister, but I appreciate the advice to focus on looking after my feet. I need to practice fuelling. On my longest run last year (17mi), I had a bottle of Luco, and a Moam Squashie every two miles. That's probably not gonna cut it for anything longer, but I like the way a small amount of food every so often helps to break down the distance and reset the thinking. I've done a few dark runs over the last year. I find it ok, although the headtorch is a bit of a weird thing to keep straight in my head (not on my head - I mean the beam and the darkness that surrounds it plays the occasional trick on my noggin). Although Meriden is the goal, I would like to get at least marathon fit along the way. Meriden is an unknown and will be for a long time to come, with my boy being a "maybe". He's confident he'll join me right now, but he'll be six weeks into university (hopefully), and I wouldn't blame him at all if he prioritises that. So the eventual outcome is still two hugely different experiences. I found this video on Youtube yesterday - it's half an hour long, but it's the most comprehensive list of things to consider that I've found anywhere. I think it's brilliant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo7QzAGNfdo&ab_channel=JamesDay Thanks all for your input. I'm sure I will have more questions and things to share as I go.
paulcook 14 Jan 12:10pm, 14 Jan 2024 4,090 posts	0 paulcook Top tip for race day for me, if you have any problem or even simply issue to fix, fix it straightaway. Something which ain't a problem in a 5k becomes a big problem in an ultra if allowed to persist. And that goes for simple problems, e.g. if you need to eat, eat; if you get cold, put something on; if you need a toilet break, stop.
jacdaw 14 Jan 12:10pm, 14 Jan 2024 4,239 posts	0 jacdaw Get a comfortable bag / pack / vest, and don't carry too much stuff; just exactly what you need. Make sure everything you wear is well worn in... preferably closer to worn out than brand new. Except socks, brand new socks of a brand / style you know and trust are a a joy (Injinji liners + wool Bridgedale trail running socks for me).
geordiegirl 14 Jan 12:44pm, 14 Jan 2024 21,588 posts	0 geordiegirl Time on feet is as important as running mileage, back to back runs or double days to get used to running on tired legs. Fuelling and practicing fuelling on shorter runs so your body is accepting of food on race day (can’t beat a stop at the chippy or Greggs mid run 😂) I use active root for my drink (& a water) it has ginger in so keep stomach settled - all natural ingredients And as with any race practice with the kit you’ll be wearing esp the loaded backpack. See you there!!
Snail 14 Jan 12:46pm, 14 Jan 2024 2,638 posts	0 Snail For me the Injinji inner socks and talcing my feet made a big difference. Feet previously had been good upto marathon distance but started blistering soon after Light layers that are easy to add/remove as temp changes. Cap & Buff - are even easier ways of changing temp but without stopping to change or get things into/out of bag Good headtorch (both brightness and battery) Vaseline for the bits that chafe
mrs shanksi 14 Jan 1:19pm, 14 Jan 2024 15,780 posts	0 mrs shanksi I've seen this late and everyone has already said what I'd say! Good luck with your training Fetch 😀