Help! thoughts & advice

Sorry to just jump in guys but I couldn't help but notice about Brighton. I have just been told about a small charity called MACS who have a couple of places available and minimum target is only 200.
May be of interest to someone.

Keep meaning to update this thread, but concerned the abuse might fly, but hey ho...

So I've reached my first training goal, last Sunday I did a 27 miler, obviously self supported, felt good after, even had the energy to take the little one down to the park (slowly), put a time of 3.44 on the clock, so now ready to break that when I decide to enter a marathon...

But training for the 100k in now the focus, plans to run Brighton M are off, thanks to your thoughts etc... This week I did a 4miler Monday & 7 miler Wednesday, and plan the plan is to target 50k this weekend, then have a few weekends of back to backs probably 20m/20m, throught to Easter. Then aim for 2 consecutive weekend 50k plus...

If the event is 25th May, what should a tapering plan look like?

Cheers people appreciate your thoughts, experience and guidance..

Marcus, well done on the 27-miler - now you're an ultra-runner!  And that's a good time - you're a faster runner than I am! The planned back-to-backs sound great, but don't forget to have the occasional drop-down weekend - much less risk of overtraining injuries.

Everyone tapers differently. Plans usually offer either two or three weeks of taper. I suggest that you (a) look at the plans; (b) check your training records regarding which taper lengths have worked for you for your previous races.

Hands up there Debra, I will go look at some plans. Regarding previous tapers, I've never really thought about it or followed a training plan or probably every tapered for previous races.. Ohps...

I do however like the "now your an ultra-runner!" Statement, although I will only claim that on the 25th May, when I have finished and have the t-shirt/medal or what ever you get, alongside the ecstatic feeling, sore legs and probably blisters

Marcus well done on the training week, sounds like everything is coming together nicely.
Be wary though of running to plan every week, there's a tendency for those new to running to download plans from the Internet and to think they're the way to go for every distance. Unfortunately they don't take into account you, your history, fitness, abilities or conditioning and they're really only worth it as a guideline for people who are a little lazy and let the internet do their thinking for them.
Don't be afraid to change around things to suit both your lifestyle and how you feel that day, there's likely more harm that good to be done pushing yourself on a tempo session when you're worn out and a bike ride would be far more beneficial. If you like Google Rpi with regards to physical exercise, there's a blog by ultra stu (Millsy)which explains a little more but essentially it's training with your body's rhythms rather than slavishly to a plan.
Oh and you're a runner now, same as you were yesterday and hopefully the same as tomorrow, distance is irrelevant and only for thoSe who delight in telling others about their ultras.
As for the taper experience will tell you what works for you, listen to your body and you'll be fine

Lirish, I made the plan up myself so I'm happy to change an adapt it accordingly, depending on the weather, week at work, commitments with family and friends etc..

Are you telling me I'm not aloud to be a little bit proud about small achievements? I'm not the sort of person to boast I've run 5k for charity or the like, but achievements for 1 person are not always match to those of others if that makes sense?! And I was extremely happy to have broken the training barrier down on route..

Marcus that's absolutely not what I'm saying, what I'm saying is the distance doesn't define you, it's not ultra or nothing, I'm a runner, whether it's a 5k pb the UTMB I'm proud of them all

Maybe this needs a little Expanding to be clear about what I mean. I think people in general, not just us as runners, define themselves a little too much by the standards of others and find a little too much validation in that.
I think some find more pleasure in telling others they're ultra runners than they actually do in running them. And please don't think this is directed at you, it's just me putting some thoughts on paper. It's like there's a ladder of running kudos and ultras are somewhere near the top. It's like ' oh you're an ultra runner, you must be so fit, I only run marathons' oh ' look at me, I'm so mad, I'm an ultra runner'
For me it's about finding the pleasure in the challenge and enjoying the outdoors, I'm incredibly proud of some of my shorter runs, as proud as I am of the longer runs. Take pride in the achievement, whatever it happens to be

have you done UTMB? I've just had a look at it that looks the nuts...

I did the CCC the year before last and I'm doing the UTMB this August, the CCC for me was incredible, an awesome race through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world

I salute you, I haven't been down that way for 10 years, but have spent time both winter and summer in the area, truly stunning..

Lirish - I know what you mean. There are quite a few runners in the office I'm in, and I have a number of freinds who are running and competing in triathlons regularly.

I run most lunchtimes from my office, so I'm 'spotted' by my colleagues. They know that I run, a lot. I don't need to explain it. I have hence become 'running guru' which doesn't befit or please me.

And I do get a lot of 'You must be so fit...' comments. I find it embarassing, I'd rather not talk about it. I could lie and save myself the embarassment, but when people talk to me about their running I can't help but enthuse about it. And like you, I'm just as proud of the small races/short distances.

And Marcus, you're going to be quick! That's fast over trails!

snap, I'm not going to be quick, I'm pushing myself in training, so I can try and follow some of the other guidance given on here on the actual day.. Go slow, hang back, creep up on people (not in a stalking way) rather than boast past people in a wreck less must catch mentality!

My goal is to enjoy it, finish inside the allotted runners time, and hopefully build some confidence if I choose to do a slightly more adventous self support race in the future... Plus meet some nice people to chat to as we move through the city, hills and finally see the sea

I'm sure deep down people do think I'm a little mental (family, friends and other runners), but in all seriousness I love the outdoors, and I want to see it & enjoy it, not run through head down, sweating and panting for that all important breath just to cross a line.

Marcus, it sounds like you've got a good approach - go out there and enjoy it!

Lirish, human progress works because we can communicate and learn from one another. Why should each person have to re-invent the wheel (or their training schedule) from scratch? Building on what other people have learned is smart, not lazy (or it's smart laziness). Personally I think that plans are a useful guide - to be adapted according to your life, your level of fitness, yyour body's ability to cope with particular training loads or increases etc., not to be followed to the letter - but to give you an idea of appropriate training volumes etc. without having to find out the hard way that you're done way too little, or pushing too far in training.

They can be a useful guide to get an idea of how another person thinks a huge number of can prepare for a particular event, but how do you know an appropriate training volume if you only ever follow what someone else says? How do you know you are not capable of running 100+ miles a week if you never try? How do you know you can not get the same results on 75 miles per week spread over short fast sessions?

As I said, they can give you an idea or a ball park figure but surely half the fun is getting out running, finding things out and then putting them into practice. I think the results sill be better too.

Debra you're right, development is the key but people being what and who they are they, we, tend to take the path of least resistance and all to often that path is one of non questioning and slavish devotion to a plan that's lifted from a magazine and has no relevance to what you're doing at all. All to often instead of looking into why you're doing what you're doing and reacting to what your body is telling you you'll just do the miles the programme says, leading yourself into potential injury or over training, even if the volume of mileage you're doing is relatively low if your conditioning isn't great then the potential for harm is great.
Here's an example of taking the path of least resistance. Im a trained PTI who regularly takes people from work on training Sessions, I'm an ex pro athlete and I'm a relatively experienced ultra runner who reads voraciously about my chosen sport.
Several times in the past few years there's been threads on here for people asking for advice on a range of subjects, a couple of times I've PMd offers to people saying essentially provide me with more info and I'll tailor my advice to them, spend tem minutes answering some questions and the advice will be bespoke to you. As yet I've only had one person take me up on the offer.
So here's my thing, maybe I come across as a grumpy feck here but I'm a big subscriber to the idea that if you want help then first help yourself, identify what you want to know, try to find the answers yourself as best you can then ask specific questions. What we have here is not really people asking for help, we have people asking for re assurance, to have their plans validated and their hand held a little bit. Well I'm afraid I'm of the generation which means I'll tell you to mtfu and get on with it. And help you put when you do

I do agree about helping yourself first and other will be glad to help you.   In all walks of life  Ie depression, battles with the booze. weight loss.

Actually I could do with some help!   I can never get to sleep at night so end up being tired.   Does anyone take the herbal stuff?

Yes, I've taken sominax a couple of times and it knocks me for six, feel really groggy in the morning and take ages to get going

I get the same with sominex and herbal nytol. Strangely, the normal nytol is better.
I also use valerian tea and you can get valerian caps. Smell like feet but very effective!

I've always slept light and short and it take sme ages to get off in the first place. I find television and alcohol to be contributory factors and keep them to a minimum. Usually works.

I have been reading with interest the discussion on training plans, so this is my 5 pence.

I have always looked at some of the ones available for both marathon and ultra distances (for both times I have achieved and those I would like to) and have never got my head round the amount of training they include.  .

Many people I talk to at races tell me about their 6 day out of 7 training and then I am surprised, and this is with out wanting to be harsh, that they don't seem to be as fast as I have assumed (even taking into account their age, experience etc).  I'm sure this will be my downfall eventually as I try to progress in speed and distance, but I really think less can be more and it is better to run well several times a week than to just 'run' almost everyday. 

On a related note, what I would however recommend adding to your training (and I am not sure if this is something backed up by any evidence) is combining a longish run with a parkrun.  It goes something like this: run 3-5 miles (or more if you want, I've done up to 10) at a gentle pace to arrive about 5 minutes before the start of your local parkrun.  Then run the 5km as fast as you can.  Then run around 3-5 miles, but more if possible, home.  I find this is an easy way to recreate that running on tired legs feeling without having to head out for hours and hours.  On new years day I did a two parkrun 17miler that was particularly enjoyable- a sort of long interval session.