wannabe ultra runner? - Page 14 - Ultra / Adventure racing

KarenK

23/09/2011 at 15:01

Thanks all!! Great to get some positive feedback! In fairness my other half has been lovely, hes very supportive but isnt a runner and cant understand the appeal. As Ben said I think a lot of it just fear that I'll get injured or die in the dessert!! The only reason that Im doing anyhting about MdS now is that the waiting list is so long. There are still waiting list spaces for the 2013 event but common sense prevailed and 2014 will be the earliest I think about doing it.

Think I was just a bit shocked by the reactions. The people I told at work are fellow runners, we regularly chat about races etc... The difference in reaction to saying you're doing a marathon (generally positive) as opposed to an ultra (shock!!) was just surprising. Like 'how far' said I think it will be a case of getting my head down and doing them - not bothering with other peoples opinions....

Lou - No, the kit list is something some races require... Especially if youre in rough terrain doing a longer distance. If the race demands you have certain things (waterproofs, compass, whistle etc) it will tell you on the website. Its just a bit pricey getting it all so it can make the 1st race of that type you do rather expensive.

loulabell

23/09/2011 at 17:24

..i know what you mean about the bewilderment on peoples faces..i try not to mention it much at work now as they are all totally miffed by the idea of doing a 13mile run for pleasure...lol...when i first mentioned ultra runs they had never heard of them...they still dont get it really..i havnt told them im doing NH35....i had started doing HM distance back in spring but not entered an offical HM, i got nagged and told that i should do one...why? i didnt see the reasoning..i knew i could run 13miles and thats all i needed my head to know...i do understand some runners gt more enjoyment from running in an actual event though

...i think (correct me if wrong) that ultra runners and the groups of them are more friendly and although run in official events , are running them not to prove to someone else they can do it ,but purely to satisfy themselves and push to their limits.

this is what i like about ultras, the time frame is more relaxed, the people running them appear that way also.

Ben Davies 15

23/09/2011 at 20:34

Loulabell

As I understand it, there is noting to stop you from entering the Northants ultra now if you want to. Just go to the Gobeyond site and the calendar of events should have the relevant link.

Karen

Good kit is important, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune e.g.

Waterproof £40 for a good one less for an adequate one.

Compass £4 or £10 for a good one.

Whistle £1.50

Spoons.

23/09/2011 at 21:49

Hi all. Marathon number 3 done and dusted. Just one more to go tomorrow. Everything is starting to ache now and I'm walking like John Wayne lol.

Loula - I agree that most ultra events are pretty small and have a really good friendly bunch of people there.

loulabell

24/09/2011 at 07:26

crikey spoons..

...are you doing the same route 4 times or different ones? sorry you must have sais earlier but i leep forgetting what people have said

mr f

24/09/2011 at 16:54

Afternoon folks! 36 ish miles on the northants course complete, now time for a bath and a date with a cold magnets and the x factor! I has forgotton just what a lovely course it is, and this time I didn't go wrong as much as race day in 2010!!

how far

24/09/2011 at 18:18

Well done Mr.F, you did well not to get lost, always a tricky bit over the fields leading up to Long Buckby and the fields over to West Haddon. Enjoy your recovery!

mr f

24/09/2011 at 18:28

I still can't master the section coming out the back of the golf club either. No matter how well I stick to the map I always come out at a junction further down the road! I think the maps wrong....!

how far

24/09/2011 at 19:04

Mr F, re the golf course, i know what you mean, ignore the first FP in Harlestone and take the second one then head towards the golf course, you actually then have to cut diagonally over what feels like the greens/fairway which does not feel right but its correct to do this. Then you climb up a steep field and it brings you out on the main road opposite the FP on the other side.

Hope you can visualise some of that and it makes a bit of sense!

What you did several people also did this year so its easily done. At least you did not head off into N/hampton town like some runners did!!!

I will be running the course next w/end minus the Lamport to Cottesbrook bit.

mr f

24/09/2011 at 19:15

Ahhh the map definitely tells you to chose the first foot path. Ah well, at least my detour doesn't affect mileage! Hope you have a good run next weekend, it really is a great course, and luckily for me I can be at lamport in 30mins. Just makes for a nice change and there a few nice local shops en route to stock up on drinks. I looked a right state when I called into long buckby sandwich shop for some bottled water earlier!

how far

24/09/2011 at 19:53

Ha, at least they served you!! The course is good, i live in W.Haddon and regularly run parts of the course, its spectacular on a cold frosty winters morning. Not too keen on the road sections in the actual race tho but thats just being picky!

Whats your next ultra race?

mr f

24/09/2011 at 20:28

My next race is leicester marathon on 9th Oct, no other races booked in - other than TP100 of course!
I lived in Rugby for the first 21years of my life and had a gf in west haddon! Small world! now live further towards Leamington Spa. Your right, you can walk out onto this course in seconds!

Spoons.

24/09/2011 at 22:09

Loula - I'm doing (well just finished actually) the Great Barrow Challenge which is 4 marathons in 4 days, all starting and finishing in the same place but 4 different routes. 4th day is finished and it went well. Strangely the best day of the 4 in fact. Now I need a new challenge........

Well done Mr F

mr f

25/09/2011 at 07:11

Great going spoons, that's some achievement!

loulabell

25/09/2011 at 19:25

arghhhhh spoons.....a very well done to you...i dont think i could do that !! lol

tricialitt

25/09/2011 at 19:34

OK a REALLY stupid question here- how do I know how slow to pace myself for a 33mile race?

I'm doing a marathon next weekend, and expect to be 4:00- 4:15. I need a vague conversion- bearing in mind that I won't really have done much long running - any ideas? I am happy enough run/ walking anyway , as I have used that strategy in earlier marathons ( hoping not to this time!). Any ideas?

Should I just run/ walk at a slow pace, and walk the uphills , and hope for the best? Or is there a better way to try to organise myself?- I WOULD like to finish in day light!

loulabell

25/09/2011 at 19:39

id DEF walk the uphills, save energy where you can!!

mr f

25/09/2011 at 19:42

Tricia, I'd say if your gonna do a marathon in that time 33m will not trinkets you too much. For a fiesta ultra it will be a bit of suck it and see, but but just listen to your body and enjoy it. Ultras are so much more relaxed. No sprinting from checkpoints, grabbing drinks whilst still running etc! Stick to your run walk strategy and as you say run the ups and jog the other bits. Good luck and enjoy it! Where are you running?

loulabell

25/09/2011 at 19:57

im absorbing all advice i read on here!!...and im going to write down that bit about the golf course !! lol

Ben Davies 15

25/09/2011 at 21:02

tricialit

You essentially walk the parts of the route that will-

A. Sap your energy most if you run them

B. Give you a minimal return in terms of speed over walking them.

For example if you run up a very steep hill, you will be slowed down to little more than walking speed, and your legs will be totally shot at the top of it. It makes much better tactical sense to walk up it, suffer a slight penalty in terms of speed, but have a recharged set of legs at the top.

In a hilly event, I walk up the hills but run the flats and downhills. In a flat event I will walk sections that are very boggy, or where I am going into a strong headwind. In a longer event with a flat profile, I might have to adopt a strategy of run 25 minutes then walk 5. As I get weaker, the ratio might shift to 20/5 and then 15/5. I don't expect this to be necessary with a 33 mile event though. Just walk anything where the game wont be wort the candle and you will be fine.