How to tell your friends and family that you are going to run a 100 miler!

It can certainly be a problem. 

How did/will you go about it?

Just tell them the following..."I am just going outside and may be some time."

It is not easy, and much depends upon the attitude of the girlfriend/family member. 

The most effective play that I have found, is to explain to them (sometimes using examples) that running injuries, even at this level, are far less serious than those routinely sustained in rugby or football, and heal more quickly. 

My mum and dad are actually very understanding, and suport my ultra running ambitions.  The people who raise the strongest objections are actually friends of my own age, often including the people I used to get into trouble with!

I haven't signed up for a 100er yet, but I have found the best strategy for multi-days, ultras etc, is drip-drip-drip.  So I might say 'I'm getting used to running maras, perhaps I might try a 50k', 'I recovered quicker than I expected from the 50k, maybe I'll try a 50-miler', 'a multi-day event would be good training for my 50 miler' and so forth. 

I notice I am the first woman to post here, so perhaps I am giving some key female strategies away, but the above also works for renovations, holidays, clothes, etc. 

The above should, of course, be followed by 'I've found XYZ event, which would be perfect for me' and any objections should be met with 'but I TOLD you I was thinking about this, WEREN'T YOU  LISTENING?'

I have struggled to get my beloved to support / share my relatively new found interest in running (obsession is much more likely to be the word she would use), so decided on a kill or cure attempt and entered the TR24 as a solo runner and appointed aforementioned wife as crew chief.  Which will cover a couple of firsts; MRS S's first time camping and first time watching me run anything more than 10k. I am hopeful that the atmosphere will do the job and pave the way to a more tolerant attitude toward my past time of choice ..... i'll let you know how I get on!

I think there was a piece on another thread that suggested friends and family are v.impressed with you running the odd marathon start talking ultras and you simply get put in the total head case category.

ive not done a 100miler (yet) but like some others, im used to negative responses preceding the ultras I have done so i don't go into specifics, if at all. i just say 'ive got a race that day'.

So far it seems that the girls are better at this than the boys!

Pick exactly the right moment to tell partner - need to tread very carefully. Its not the event itself that is the problem, its the training runs that causes the problems.

Definitely don't talk about too much - if at all. Also useful if you pick a race with an obscure name (to outsiders) like UTMB, WS, WHW etc. Don't include the distance - say the distance depends on the route chosen or whatever!

Hi Morticia, yes, it definitely does.

Alastair, I think in general people don't grasp why you might want to run a marathon or longer for fun or the sense of achievement.  As you say, the first marathon you run, people are really interested, but if you do them regularly, you get filed in a place saying 'does not compute', particularly if you are not running for charity.  I almost feel compelled to fund raise for NDW50, because people think they should give me money to run that distance!

I am lucky that my husband has now re-discovered his love of marathon running. He has felt for the last few years that he did not have the time to train, but he is following Furman 3-days scheduled (we go to the gym before work two days a week) and flourishing on it.  I am coaxing  him into doing more events and he has six marathons lined up this year!

It,s not the event , it,s the time taken for the training runs that cause the problems for me. There is no avoiding the hours you need to spend on the trail training. Luckily my other half run,s (but not ultras). As for the rest of my fiends and work mates many of them are runners. Its surprising how many over 50,s are into serious exercise. There is an attitude out there of thats a long way do you think I could do it? 

'im indoors is not worried by my training and time away - it gives him quality time with the cat .

I haven't done a 100 miler but can give tips on entering a 50 miler.  The most important thing is that the training is planned around your usual routine of the chores/commitments you have.  I still walk the dog for every session i am supposed to even if that is at the end of a 30 mile training run.  I still cook the meals when it is my turn, but on occasions make more & freeze it so you can have a quicker meal another time you are supposed to cook.  I have a condition imposed that I am not allowed to 'moan' about the training, after all if you are going to be negative about it why are you doing it.  Get up early at weekends to do training & as you build up you will still have all the energy to do all the stuff you would normally do on a Sat/Sun.  I am never back later than 11.30am on a weekend run so still have most the day with OH.  As for telling others i usually just play it down & say i will be doing a big run on that day & if they ask more i will say, if they ask why i just say why not & nothing else.  Most people are convinced when they see that i look healthy & happy & injury free.