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Ultra training for beginners

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EdJ Oct 2019 11:10pm, 22 Oct 2019 325 posts	Quote Pin EdJ FDNB - my personal opinion is that it depends on your objective(s) for the 50k. If you want to run the best 50k you possibly could, then maybe 5 days a week is right. If you want to get round within the cut off, enjoy the training and maintain a healthy work/running/family/other interests balance, then I think four is more than enough. For what it's worth, I completed a 185 mile ultra in September having not done more than three runs a week all year (and two runs most weeks). I would like to have done more, and I'd have been quicker if I did, but that was all that life allowed. If you want somewhere to start for plan, you could do worse than start with a marathon training plan, but perhaps with the long run a bit longer and slower, so you are doing plenty of time on feet (but without knackering yourself for the rest of the week). And wearing the kit you are going to wear for the race (so you know what's going to chafe or just annoy you).
FenlandRunner Oct 2019 11:14pm, 22 Oct 2019 2,852 posts	Quote Pin FenlandRunner Totally agree. Are you a competer or a completer? I know it will piss off all the type 'A' competer's but if you are mentally up for the challenge and don't care about time, training is not the biggest factor. If you enjoy the challenge #goforit
Fragile Do Not Bend Oct 2019 6:39am, 23 Oct 2019 4,983 posts	Quote Pin Fragile Do Not Bend “ get round within the cut off, enjoy the training and maintain a healthy work/running/family/other interests balance” Definitely this, thanks!
Fragile Do Not Bend Oct 2019 6:48am, 23 Oct 2019 4,984 posts	Quote Pin Fragile Do Not Bend Sounds like the best thing for now is to stick with my current running routine and get a few longer runs in when life allows. I’ve got plenty of time before May to play with.
geordiegirl Oct 2019 6:58am, 23 Oct 2019 9,065 posts	Quote Pin geordiegirl FDNB a question I was going to ask too so thanks for getting there and did the replies. I did my first 31m ultra - Hardmoors Princess Challenge as it has a more generous cut off. I was like you get round in on piece in time. However I booked this after doing 3 marathons between Feb & May and wrecked myself so milage was low and I didn’t get any real focus on long runs/time on feet. I made it in 8.20. I took some time off didn’t get a sports massage didn’t do enough foam rolling then turned up for Loch Ness marathon. Again for round but it wasn’t pretty. So I’d say on 3 runs a week you’ll be fine to get round on run/walk but make sure you keep the long runs it was my downfall. What I lacked in physical strength I made up for in mental strength 8+hrs in my own head was interesting but I loved it for the most last. And again when I finished. Good luck!
geordiegirl Oct 2019 7:02am, 23 Oct 2019 9,066 posts	Quote Pin geordiegirl Thanks again from me I will get back on track with a marathon + plan and find a sensible timescale fo aim for. NWDave thanks for the link I’ll definitely be about there I have a few days at a friends in Gosford where we’ll pootle about while she’s at work so this should be doable. I am very much looking forward to our trip we have 3 days in Hong Kong going and 3 in Singapore on way back so 3 more countries added to my run locations! I will be running while I’m away but probably no more than 5k. I also need to see if there is any races I can do and also park runs if our schedule fits with a parkrun.
K5 Gus Oct 2019 7:26am, 23 Oct 2019 3,185 posts	Quote Pin K5 Gus FDNB - check out "Relentless Forward Progress - A Guide to Running Ultramarathons" by Bryon Powell amazon.co.uk It has lots of great advice as well as training plans. It's 50k plan has 5 days a week but says you can replace one session with cross training
HappyG(rrr) Oct 2019 8:25am, 23 Oct 2019 32,828 posts	Quote Pin HappyG(rrr) Can you do "fast hilly walking" with friends or family fitting into life, in addition to running? I think fast walking can be really beneficial for ultras, as (at my level) you spend quite a proportion of time walking. Don't get broken is another recommendation of mine! Like GG says, doing more (e.g. marathon races as build up to ultra) might seem sensible, but not if you break yourself. In the same way that injury is the sure way to ruin your time goal in a marathon, then injury will also hamper your training for an ultra. Slow, steady, gradual, considered and lots of rest and TLC required when building up to ultra. Enjoy the journey. G
Fragile Do Not Bend Oct 2019 9:35am, 23 Oct 2019 4,987 posts	Quote Pin Fragile Do Not Bend Thanks for the advice people. I do go on long walks with my husband when I can, unfortunately fast and hilly are not thing he is keen on (neither is mud 🙄) but I might be able to talk him into a bit more exertion if I say I need it for training.
Mr. K. Oct 2019 12:45pm, 23 Oct 2019 3,537 posts	Quote Pin Mr. K. Relentless Forward Progress is the book to get. Bought about 5 copies as keep giving my one away.