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Ultra training for beginners

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mrs shanksi Jan 2014 11:45am, 22 Jan 2014 5,745 posts	Quote Pin mrs shanksi Yes It's also where I met flip, Anna, santababy, Roobarb, Debstir, loads of lovely Fetchies I wish I could do it again but it's pricey as it involves staying the night before etc. We spend all our money on weekends away at ultras now. Maybe when I get a job I will do it again as I really loved it.
Northern Exile Jan 2014 11:52am, 22 Jan 2014 2,895 posts	Quote Pin Northern Exile "Spend all our money on weekends away". That sounds familiar!
flip Jan 2014 11:56am, 22 Jan 2014 5,812 posts	Quote Pin flip NE, I almost entered hoping not to get in and then get the 2 coefficient but knowing my luck I'd get in when I can't afford it this year and already have my goals. After lakeland i just want to do some shorter stuff and trials. The Ultimate trails 50K looks nice. Think we have the same philosophy Mrs S , probably because we have the same mentor (although i have some of my own ideas now but i think dod would agree you almost have to find what you think best!) The HM 55 & fling are training races (and social meet ups ) for me on the way to my 3 goals for the year. The time is immaterial (although i wouldn't want to be out to long). My main aim is to 'enjoy' and have a good run . When i say good i mean comfortable in myself, not all out completely knackered but also something I'm happy with. Something that makes me feel things are going the right way. (if you get my meaning ). Obviously the miles are part of it but NO.1 is also not get injured. Getting to them start lines in good fettle is half the battle.
mrs shanksi Jan 2014 12:08pm, 22 Jan 2014 5,746 posts	Quote Pin mrs shanksi Totally agree flip x
GeeeM Jan 2014 12:35pm, 22 Jan 2014 703 posts	Quote Pin GeeeM Going back to the "beginner" question... When I was training for my first ultra (Cardiff 50 miler) I think my longest single run was 50k, (the London Ultra) and biggest Back to Back was probably 40-ish miles, (15 on Sat / marathon on Sunday). I may have modified this plan, can't remember - but it looks familiar! trailrunevents.com My first 100 - longest run was 100k, (Fellsman) and biggest Back-to-Back was a double marathon so 52.4 miles. But, the point was that I wasn't beating myself up in these races and could maintain normal training throughout the week. Specicifity is key for me, i.e. if you're doing a hilly / mountainous race - get some ascent/descent in the legs. For flat / road ultras - hit the pavement. Obviously test out all your kit, hydration and nutrition on these big, long runs! After The Bear last year, (100 miles / 28,000') I found it really difficult to run for extended period on the flat, something I'm working on at the moment. Nowerdays I just enjoy being in the great outdoors, and am happy hiking / jogging for hours and hours on end, I tend to use races to explore new places and as social events - the ultra scene is still relatively small, and you'll be amazed how often you keep bumping into the same faces, no matter what the distance from home
mrs shanksi Jan 2014 12:44pm, 22 Jan 2014 5,747 posts	Quote Pin mrs shanksi Totally agree GeeeM. And I met you at a race I did purely for the social - Terminator's Born to Run Ultra in 2012!
GeeeM Jan 2014 1:41pm, 22 Jan 2014 704 posts	Quote Pin GeeeM Indeed mrs S - I remember it well, there were a few of the usual suspects at that race You travelled a fair old distance to come and do it too IIRC!
mrs shanksi Jan 2014 1:54pm, 22 Jan 2014 5,748 posts	Quote Pin mrs shanksi 374 miles by car each way! Was worth it though to meet you, The Terminator, Plodding Hippo, Jono, Lili etc. And flip and Anna of course. But then they are at practically every ultra I do :-). I love meeting up with folk
DerbyTup Jan 2014 10:22pm, 22 Jan 2014 9,142 posts	Quote Pin DerbyTup Some great advice from Mrs S and GeeeM
01 Jan 2014 12:24am, 23 Jan 2014 12 posts	Quote Pin 01 HG, my very long run was 77 miles (+6000 ft) mixed terrain (vaguely 50/50 tarmac/mud), and was vaguely targeted at a L100 attempt. I tried to "run" it at such a pace that it wouldn't wreck me for weeks afterwards, and - fingers crossed - think I've succeeded in that. The reason I say I got no physical benefit is that I probably damaged my muscles way beyond the natural stress/recovery cycle that they expect, and I guess the next couple of weeks I'll be running a bit slower because of it. However, I feel spending 20 hours out now in the cold in January makes me far more likely to cope mentally with adverse conditions in other training runs or races, so is worth a couple of weeks of "treading water" in terms of how I feel physically. If any of that makes any sense whatsoever