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Training for an ultra-marathon question about the number of weeks

guest — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 12:33:54 GMT

This is almost impossible to answer without some history. Is this you first ultra? You have things chopped into segments which seems ok but nothing about the quality and how it maps to your race. Youv should be looking at the race and then mapping a specific plan for THAT race. Is the race tough or rugged footing, how much accunulated elevation and two immediate questions. One you know what the race will throw at you, then you map a plan. lets assume the race has lots of elevation and you need to pound some serious hills. In that case you may need to add some serious hills and recover all mapping back to a schedule. To simply say 8 weeks of strength amy be to little.

As fort doing a 50k in general three weeks before a 50 mile can be very risky. It's all about your recovery rate. Know they recovey and that oftren takes years.

Recovery Runs?

guest — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 12:18:07 GMT

There is active and passive recocery and as others have said, there are many ways to skin the cat. So much of what you do depends on the mileage and intensity of the run and overall schedule, non of which we are privy to. A very easy/slow run can work but so can going for a walk or easy bike ride. When in doubt do no damage.

Is Meb Selling Out? Or are you in Support?

guest — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 12:04:02 GMT

I have a great idea! Why don't you send him a boatload of money so he can then become a running purist. They all do stuff like this unless you think they get rich off sponsor fees.

Re: The tranistion from CR's viewpoint

guest — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 13:04:26 GMT

Not to pick on you but I used move masses from one software package to anothe so I feel your pain. OTOH, you shopuld have spent more time in testing the transition phase(plan and especally execution) before exposing it to the masses aka as seamless as possible. The moving should have been trivial and then listen simply lsiten to the people comments on the tool. People Will always whine about change so have broad shoulders and hope the tool meets the needs and your IS resources enough so it's not perceived to be tooo slow.

I'm retired and vowed never to do this type of work again so I decline any job offers. Remember, you can't please all the people all the time and some will always be ****** off(so to speak).

I'm still evaluation the tool in general. So far it seems just fine but I tend to use it off hours when resources are not maxed. You real test is prime time assuming you didn't lose to many people in the transition.

Re: Weekend Trail Report

guest — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 12:41:46 GMT

No me personally but a bunch of friends snowshoed the Escarpment Trail race course in the dark( on purpose). 12 Hours for the trek.

Re: Bull Run Run lottery?

guest — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 12:30:47 GMT

merigayle wrote:
Wow. I just read that. Weird that they are going to weight the lottery for people who have 1-9 finishes. The more finishes, the more weight. Shouldn't it be the other way around? It will be VERY interesting to see how this unfolds. Luckily I am planning on going back to Umstead instead of BRR. Good luck with the lottery.

First off, I don't understand the need for the lottery at least yet. Yes. the race did close but it take quite a few weeks. Then again maybe this is the time to instigate the concept before it ends up like a Western States fiasco.

I'll disagree, not the first time ( ), that those with N races should be given a priority. It's people like me, thank you, that have suppoprted the race all these years. From a supporter view, I would be very upset if it was relegated to the same odds as a rookie. It's no different than any "fan club" getting tickets to a show earlier then the masses for being a supporter. So no, prortity should NOT be for the new runner.

As for lotteries in general, I dispise them. It should be first some first served either by mail or computer. If I really want to do a race I will make darn sure I have my ducks lined up on D-day. In essence, however you slice the lottery onion someone will shed a tear. If my 7 prior trips to this game do not get me in, then it will the last time I do the race. I want a race that respects my dedication.

Re: VT 50 and VT 100

guest — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:55:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by jholtthief:

I've run the 50 three times and the 100 twice, and to me, there's no question, the 100 is a HELL of alot harder! The 50 may have more gain per mile, but don't kid yourself, the hills in the 100 are relentless from start to finish, and let's not forget, it's twice as far in miles, and much more than twice the effort, especially mentally. While the volunteer's in the 50 are awesome, I find the people working the 100 are even better. Anyhow, here are my times for both events.

VT50 '05--~~-9:51<br />VT50'06~~--~~10:41<br />VT50 '07~~

9:42<br />VT100 '06--~~24:36<br />VT100 '07~~----23:09

p.s.-There's also a very good chance that you'll have to deal with hot weather in the 100. Having said all that, I do think anyone who's finished the 50 and has the desire, can finish the 100 with not too much different training.

[http://This message has been edited by jholtthief (edited Oct-10-2007).|http://This message has been edited by jholtthief (edited Oct-10-2007).]

I agree with John and but would like to add some refinements. I've got 12 VT50's and 6 VT100's and one 50k which was this year. I'm kinda familiar with both.

The 50 is about 9K, I'm not sure how it gets bumped to 10k. !http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/wink.gif|src=http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/wink.gif|border=0!So mile for mile the 50 is harder. The 50 is also mostly single track and single track is run slower because it is not graded.

The 100, and some people bit*ch about this, has a lot of dirt roads. Sure there is some single track but a smaller proportion. They share the same aid stations bit the course is a lot different.

As John says, the the hills keep on a coming and coming and coming. The is the Green Mountains of Vermont are not exactly flat. The only way to have a flat race in this part of country is to nail one foot down.

The other fact that bit me in the tail end in 2005, ( I had a brain fart that year), the dirt roads are HARD - HARD packed dirt. It's almost as hard as macadem and will shread your quads if you don't get hills and some hard packed downhills into your training. You can train entirely on trails for the 50 but best to add some occasional roads for the 100.

As john says it's 100 bloody miles and more than just 50 more miles then the 50. Just same as moving from the 50k to the 50 - it's more than just adding 19 miles.

They are both class race.

As a side bar, they are toying with idea af adding a 100k to the 100. It's in a review phase, so don'y go run off as it's fact. I think it is a great idea. You can now progress 50k, 50 miles, 100 k, 100 miles.. For those concerned about the leap from 50 miles to 100 miles, this may be a nice bridge.

Re: Best food for ultras during a race

guest — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:38:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by KateMaul:
Thanks for the great suggestions. The race is headquartered at a hotel, so hot food is very feasible.

As you can see, the suggestions are almost endless. Personally I like Hamburgers, Hot dogs, Pizza(no anchovies) and a staple at one aid station at Bull Run Grilled Cheese. Ice cream sandwiches and ice pops if warm.

My slections aside the real secret is variety. Very few people can eat even their most favorite food for 24 hours. I remember in my first 50 some 20 years ago eating bananas - maybe a dozen of them. It took me a year before I could look at another,

The same for fluids. Over the years I OD'ed on Gatorbarf and Conquest. Either will cause reverse peristalsis after a sip.

To sum variety without going to bizarre yet stay within some financial bounds.

Re: what do you do with wet, muddy trail shoes?

guest — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 03:37:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by brianinptown:
Hey there,

My trail shoes are trashed from this weekend's long run in rain and mud...they're still wet and muddy 48 hours later. What's the best way to dry them out and clean them off? I heard that you can get them out of proper shape if you dry them too quickly.

Your thoughts?

Put them in the washing machine on gentle cycle and cold water, stuff then with newspapper and let them dry. The washing machine will do no harm. I hope I don't need to say, don't put them in the dryer.

Re: What is your Weakest Link?

guest — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:54:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Trail Tripper:
Is it your stomach, your feet, other? How did/do you deal with it as you move up in distance to 50M and eventually to 100M? Did it get any better, or did you just have to get better at dealing with it and accepting it?

A vague yes! In genreral the number of variables that interact are many. For instance, if the race is hot you may have more stomach issues. If the terrain in harder you may have feet problems. Lots of steep hills can blow your quads. If you run too fast. Too little/much salt. These are just a few .

Then there is the "trivial" topic of how to train. Feedback from a race will often help, be it good or bad.

The best you can do is carefully study the race that you plan to do and train for it. If you live in flat Florida and plan to do a race with 10,000 feet of up, you're going to be in deep doo doo unless you find some 12 story parking lots. The Floridian on the other hand may be able to handle the heat but croak on the hills. I'm Not picking on Florida

It's all about specificity and your training. If you think you will master all the variables over time I have a bridge. As the expression goes sh*t happens. Be as speciifc as you can in training and increase your odds. Be able to adjust your goals race day. If the race is normally in 50F and you show up race day and it's 85, turn the crank way down.

After you finish a race have a post-op session with yourself as to what felt went well and of course, what did not, It's a never ending refinement process.