First, decide your distance. An ultramarathon involves running distances beyond a traditional 26.2 mile (42K) marathon. Types of ultras include:
- 50K.
- 50 miles.
- 100K.
- 100 miles.
Most people start with the 50K. It's equivalent to 31 miles (or, in my case, 32 miles -- the High Bridge Ultra always adds a mile for some unknown reason).
Second, remember that ultra running is not only about distance. It requires you to manage pace, hydration, nutrition, fatigue, blisters, chafing, and mindset. Above all, your body needs aerobic endurance. Consistent easy running is the foundation. Ultra running requires you to gradually build up your weekly volume and develop the muscular and connective-tissue durability you will need to handle hours on your feet. Rush any of these and you practically guarantee injury, including overuse injuries like stress fractures and tendon problems.
Training for an ultra is stressful on the body. You don't earn the right to go farther simply by wanting it. You earn it through consistent preparation and training. Never train just to prove you can go the distance. Train so that your body is prepared to handle it. If you can run a half marathon without stopping, you can probably complete a 50K ultra. If you can run-walk a full marathon, you can probably do the same with a 50K race. Going into the race in December, I have 45 half marathons, 20 full marathons, and four 50K ultras under my belt. That's a confidence builder. Your lungs work, your legs know how to run, and the reality is that a 50K race only adds a little more intensity or duration to a 42K marathon. Yes, an 8-10 hour ultra is hard. I'd never say otherwise. But with proper training, most experienced athletes can run-walk a 50K race. By completing half and full marathons, your body will have months to adapt to learning how to "run on tired legs." Remember, you don't have to run that distance non-stop. Although walking is generally frowned upon in the marathoning community, that attitude is not found in the ultrarunning world. Walking is not cheating. Strategic walking can save valuable energy for the later miles of your race. Newbies to ultrarunning often underestimate how much fatigue builds up over 8-10 hours and pay dearly for their early aggressiveness. But if you respect the early miles and put in the time-on-feet, your chances of finishing improve dramatically.
I hope you don't mind this unsolicited advice!
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| Yours truly at his last 50K back in May. This was after about 16 miles. I still had half the race to go. |
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| When I finished, my feet thanked me. :-) |