Ultra training ? - Ultra / Adventure racing

'The Silver Fox'

29/10/2006 at 11:57

Can anyone help, I want to attempt my first ultra in February, but cannot find any guidance on training. Specifically day-2-day mileage or weekly mileage broken down. Or no takers can anyone suggest a book.
Thanks, oh by the way I'm new to this forum stuff and like it already so anyone answering beware, I might not leave you alone when it comes to your knowledge.

candy ollier

29/10/2006 at 12:40

i would say, just like marathon training but make all your weekly long runs 20+ miles. don't be afraid to do more than one a week, either.

obviously you might need to build up to that quite slowly and gradually though.

candy ollier

29/10/2006 at 12:41

probably remove any speedwork from whatver marathon training schedule you use, too. no point risking overtraining or injury.

haileunlikely

29/10/2006 at 13:38

you could have a look at this

candy ollier

29/10/2006 at 13:42

looks poor

Extreme Muzzy

29/10/2006 at 13:42

Make it up as you go along, I do.

But then again I haven't finished an official ultra event.

Extreme Muzzy DNF.
lol

haileunlikely

29/10/2006 at 13:54

In what way Candy?

No mention of mother's phone numbers or Steve!

candy ollier

29/10/2006 at 14:04

crap mileage.

candy ollier

29/10/2006 at 14:10

ah. it's american. figures!

i think you'd want to do a lot more miles than that, if you have the time. which you almost certainly do, if you make it.

Bear B.Hind

29/10/2006 at 14:50

Found doing normal marathon training, but building up to back to back 20 miles + useful. Also aim to do do X 3 20+ session in 5 days just prior to taper if can fit them in.

'The Silver Fox'

29/10/2006 at 15:36

Thanks haileunlikely i'll look at that, alot of people say do a marathon training program, but like I said I'm new to this forum lark, any ideas on which and where i can find it

e17 pixie

29/10/2006 at 15:37

Afternoon all,

I'm using this thread for next week's Reader to Reader article. Seems that increasing numbers of us are giving some thought to the ultra... though in my case, I suspect that "thought" is all it'll ever be.

I'll be interested to follow the responses as they come in. My main question is: where do you find the time to fit in the extra miles? Marathon training is hard enough on the old social/work/sleep diary!

candy ollier

29/10/2006 at 15:41

get up a bit earlier, or just cut out the 'wasted' time sitting around doing nothing.

eg it's amazing how much time lots of people waste by just sitting staring at the television, etc.

haileunlikely

29/10/2006 at 15:47

or the PC

candy ollier

29/10/2006 at 15:50

definitely. or working.

candy ollier

29/10/2006 at 16:10

looked at that schedule again, and i can't really believe it. so for a 50 mile race, they recommend (on average) 50 mile weeks!? kerraazzzeeeee.

you'd be better off building to something like a slow 25 and a slow 20 mile run every week, a medium paced 15 and a tempo-paced 10. that should prepare you pretty well. step back every month or so.

i was doing (usually) 1 x 25 and 4 x 15 miles a week buiding up to a triple ironman recently, and i completely kicked a$$ on the run. the swim and bike were rubbish, but that's not relevant to this discussion! the 4 x 15 were fitting running into commuting - running to and from the train station twice a week.

Extreme Muzzy

29/10/2006 at 17:54

That's where I went wrong in my last ultra....

I can kick a$$ at swimming or cycling.
:o)

Roger Walters

29/10/2006 at 18:29

I did a first ultra a hilly 40 miles on about 3 days training a week between 20-30 miles but made sure i did 3 long runs 22, 27 and 29 miles in similar terrain practising nutrition run walk etc. Just under 8 hours and 30th, so not too slow.

I'm not saying this will work for you but I have trained more for marathons and often got injuried.

For me the biggest thing was getting my pace sorted before the day.

Roger

Manx Muppet

29/10/2006 at 18:41

Get a run / walk strategy sussed (unless you are planning to race it and be up there with the top few). It's something I've always had a problem with as I'm too pig-headed to admit to myself that I need to walk. All very well until I'm crawling the last 2 miles on hands and knees.

Your long training runs are very important psychologically. A huge portion of pushing yourself to your limits (and beyond) is a psychological element. If you have done a 30 miler in training you know you needn't worry until well after that mark.

I wouldn't necessarily give up all speedwork as it builds strength, and you need that!

Extreme Muzzy

29/10/2006 at 18:57

Definitely get your pace strategy worked out, and stick to it.

It is usually my undoing in distance races that I run/walk/crawl at someone elses pace and not my own.

Might I ask which ultra you are doing in February?