wannabe ultra runner?

I wouldn't force the pace Eldred, whilst walking is often an inevitable part of ultras, and essential for most to complete the longer distance ones, it's not the main thing. I confess I don't use HRM for training but just run to feel. On the proper long runs I make a point of power-walking all the big inclines and just easy running everything else.  It will be SLOW though. When I moved from marathon training to ultra training it felt painfully slow, not so much these days, or maybe that's just age!!

For a newbie, just focus on running long and slow, and speedy recovery after each run? Since I dont have any specific target time for my first 50miles, 10hours would make me the happiest man on the planet, but anything below 15 hours cut off is perfectly fine for me

I have not use my HRM for a while too, just wear it last week to gauge my own effort, for sort of "calibration" on how you preceive your own effort

Morning all!

I don't get the idea of these mega back-to-back training runs. After my 26.2 yesterday I know I could hobble around 6-10 miles this evening, but I I don't really see the point of that - and I fear it will massively increase the injury potential. Instinctively my legs are telling me rest today and then 6-12 miles tomorrow.

What does the panel think?

On a slightly less relevant issue as well as my peanut butter toasted sandwich, I discovered Iced Gems (swiped from kids) as a superb on the hoof treat yesterday. I thought I would share that

Not sure about the iced gems, bit hard in the old mouth after a few miles

Always go on instinct, as its the journey not the destination that gets you there.

NID - You don't go out and hobble round then 2nd day! You run both days. If 26 miles is leaving you unable to run well the next day then you wont get any noticable benefit as it will likely lead to longer recovery needed or injury, don't do it yet and build up to it if you want to do it.

I have no problems going out and running 30/20 weekends when I need to but I wouldn't do the day 2 if day 1 was leaving me at a struggle.

Agree - definitely don't HOBBLE round anything, you need to be able to maintain good running form whatever distance in theory or you increase injury risk. I'd definitely go with instinct.  Sometimes I do back-2-backs, like Sunday I did 15 and Monday 10, other times I don't - I really do go with what my body says to me.  Most the time I'm just delighted if I've found time to fit in a 20+ mile run, let alone get out again the next day

I like the 'journey being the destination' concept Slaneuk

Ta, I am delighted, and I agree with the Journey thing, it was a great run (until it got dusky and cold at the end), high point the nice sunny (if cold) view from the top of Devil's Punchbowl. Surprisingly I'm not actually hobbling - I just managed a 500m run to the supermarket and back to grab lunch and wanted to just keep running, but I think early sleeps and run tomorrow will suit these legs better!

just entered my first ultra, but not that ultra in the scheme of things .... the TransPennine Challenge - 50km from Manchester to Penistone - next June in the lovely warm sunshine (he say optimistically).

should be a good route I would think and a big challenge for me.

Ah, the Devils Punchbowl is a lovely place, along with Waggoners Wells, have run, walked and biked to, from and round the Devils Punchbowl!!

Welcome Wiganer - you will find lots of useful info and support, and also lots of useless banter on here so be prepared!!

Sounds a tad hilly to me Wiganer! Sounds fun though!

Cragchick - was that before the tunnel or after? Its amazing now the tunnel is in, transformed the place

Is there any good ultras towards august before oct? prefer something in the north, not some super distance but some interesting terrain (hilly?). Would want to run an unforgettable ultra before I go back to Malaysia. 

hmm.. 137k.. in august.. that sounds something rather crazy.. but the course sounds like a lot of fun

That's actually 1 month of London Triathlon, I dont think possible to train 2 totally different event in 1 month apart.

hello Wiganer!! if it says its an ultra-then its an ultra!! dont underestimate the distance!!  you are oe after my own heart-anything run i hot sunshine is my kinda thing hope you find lots of chat on here helpful-we do try, although there are some very UN sensible people on here at times...cant think WHO they are...ahem

Eldred Lee get youself on the Lakeland 50 wait list! 50 miles in the lake district. Awesome! Last weekend of July.

Not sure about that whole Lakeland thingie - sounds like a hotbed full of Mozzies and Midges

cragchick wrote (see)

 When I moved from marathon training to ultra training it felt painfully slow, not so much these days, or maybe that's just age!!

Cragchick - how different was your marathon training to your ultra 50 mile training ? What did you do differently ? Looking at some ultra training plans there doesnt appear to be much, if any, speedwork and, of course, the longer runs are longer. 

slaneuk - Couldn't be more wrong. It's a fantastic race on a great course.