Ultra training for beginners

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BSC Sep 2014 9:41pm, 15 Sep 2014 12 posts	0 BSC Newbie here but at 47 years old figured it was time to hit the longer stuff! Thames Trot in Feb wil be my first Ultra with Comrades as the second in May. Running Berlin mara in a couple of weeks to hopefully get an 'A' seeding for Comrades but I've really no idea at all at how to train for an ultra. Thames Trot, weather permitting, should be a good intro to time on my feet. My mara pace is still pretty good and can sub-3 without too much drama but will be interesting to see how that translates into an ultra as late race fade has been an issue in the past - the last 2 miles at VMLM this year brought me to a run walk so suspect nutrition is something I need to work on.
Bintmcskint Sep 2014 6:59am, 16 Sep 2014 18,722 posts	0 Bintmcskint I'm in for NDW50. SDW50 and both the 100s next year. I also like bacon. RH - hills are actually a help on an Ultra. I find hilly routes far easier and more enjoyable than the flat ones (says the woman who has done a grand total of 4 Ultras)
Rosehip Sep 2014 7:06am, 16 Sep 2014 3,836 posts	0 Rosehip Well yes Bint - and from the experience of only one flat and mini one I think that makes sense - but there are hills and hills and you are more used to them than me in my flatlands I shall be happy and terrified if my place from the waitlist for SDW comes up -NDW can wait a year, 100s are never going to happen! DSC - that's an impressive set for a "newbie" very best of luck and keep us posted with your progress
Rosehip Sep 2014 7:07am, 16 Sep 2014 3,837 posts	0 Rosehip sorry, BSC - should have put my glasses on!
Northern Exile Sep 2014 7:57am, 16 Sep 2014 3,431 posts	0 Northern Exile I agree with Ms Bint, a long and flat towpath ultra is a pretty uninspiring thing. Bacon is very important though. Many times I have ran through the night with my soul tortured by the thought of a chunky bacon buttie with lots of HP sauce
ogee Sep 2014 8:13am, 16 Sep 2014 20,268 posts	0 ogee Looks like I'm going to have to get more bacon in. HP is a given on a butty. Love a good towpath me, never feel more at peace than when I'm running alongside the navigation. But, I'm not a fan of hills, too errr hilly for me.
Northern Exile Sep 2014 8:20am, 16 Sep 2014 3,432 posts	0 Northern Exile Ultra distance running is a pretty broad discipline ogee, it's horses for courses I reckon. In fact, the only common theme appears to be bacon butties
Rosehip Sep 2014 8:30am, 16 Sep 2014 3,841 posts	0 Rosehip mmmmm bacon drools OK, next question - I want a backpck/hydration thingy. small capacity - don't need to carry much . but ultra-runners aren't usually curvy girls with swimmers shoulders and a narrow-ish ribcage (in proportion to other - er bits . How on earth can I find one that fits?
Velociraptor Sep 2014 8:57am, 16 Sep 2014 30,877 posts	0 Velociraptor I like bacon, but on a plate, with a knife and fork, and without red or brown taste-disguiser. Rosehip, you need a race vest Decathlon have one at £25.99 that's getting decent write-ups (though the women-specific version looks rubbish) or Inov8, Ultimate Direction and Salomon all do good packs. I can't run with a rucksack, but have had no bother running with my Salomon S-Lab 12
Rosehip Sep 2014 9:10am, 16 Sep 2014 3,842 posts	0 Rosehip Good grief - there are lots of options! this could take a while!