Thanks for the warm welcome, and helpful advice, all! I'm happy to see that at least some folks have done an ultra before, since I'll probably have questions when I learn more. I'll have to figure how to mesh the training for the ultra into the Crossfit thing, since I've never trained for such a long run before. It will definitely be a motivator, though.

hhichick, do you know a good site or how I might search for ultras in my region? I've done some googling, but if you know the "go to" site for ultras, I'd appreciate any links you could pass on to point me in the right direction. Off to scope the link for the run you're looking at.

http://www.ultrarunning.com/calendar.html

Enjoy.

Chick, thanks for the link. I actually found one locally that has more ultras listed, but the more resources, the better..thanks!

Unfortunately, I'm only seeing one option for a 50 miler, which sounds scenic, but might be more expense than I want to invest for a first time out, as far as putting up myself and even a minimal support person/crew, since we'd probably have to stay over before and maybe after just because of the distance from home. There is a 12 hour that is just a 2 mile dirt loop at a park, which might be good, actually, because I could just try to do 25 loops to get the mileage. Seems like a good safe option for trying the mileage on for size, then I could see if I ever want to do it again, lol. My other option is the new 50K that would be even closer to home, which basically has 3 longer loops through a park. Right now the 12 hour is sounding good, since I'd hopefully have plenty of hours to hit my goal mileage, and even if I couldn't get anybody to come for support, there'd be a gang of peeps every 2 miles, so it would be easier to set up/take care of myself if needed. So, I'll check dates again and pick one of those to sign up for.

Hi Cheryl,

I love loop 12/24 hour races. This was my first ultra: http://www.fans24hour.org/

You don't need a crew. They are low pressure - you can set your own goals. They're very social - you'll get to meet a lot of folks during the course of the run. And they're fun.

I'm sure it's not for everyone - going round and round - but you don't have to worry about getting lost, unfamiliar terrain, etc.

And did I mention they're fun?

I did something wild and crazy today. I signed up for a half marathon! I late May I'll be doing a 13.1 mile run Being as though the longest I've ever run is 6.6 miles (and that was 2 days ago) this will be a challenge. I wanted to make sure that I have plenty of time to train for it.

Tonight I did my "fast" run. Basically, I run a portion of the run at a fast pace and then taper off to my usual slow pace. It ends up being a 5k length. Tonight I did the "fast" section first thing and I think I should perhaps do that in the middle of the run or the end. I felt like the last mile or so was really dragging. I think I should end strong instead of start strong!

Congrats on signing up for the 1/2 Matt!!
It is great to have a goal- keeps you going.

I went for a run last night after a 3-1/2 week break. Took it easy - did a 6k.
Need to get back into a regular running schedule as I have a 1/2 in June and I want to improve my time from last year.

S

Good luck Matt, you'll do great! When I signed up for my half my longest was 5 and now only about 18 weeks later anything under 10 is a cake walk. Ok not really, but it was a challenge but completely doable and so much fun. I'll let you how it turns out, mine is a week from Sunday.

Yeah, Matt! If you can lose 250#, you can run a half marathon. It's all about the training and you clearly have the commitment thing down cold.

Good luck ncuneo! Have fun!

Matt - Congrats on your half mary registration!!!! WTG

Chick - Thanks for the link to the keys100. Man I think that will be the 50 miler I will do

Ashlan - I've not done that race (and haven't pulled the trigger to sign up yet) but it looks like fun and I tend to do relatively well in heat. (I don't do cold weather races!)

I'll have to start trying to use the Energy chews in training once I get over 10 miles. I heard some people have some bad first time experiences with them during their races.
Now I'm in the process of finding new running shoes, it seems like two weeks ago I bought them and now it's already time to replace them, I believe they are right at 300 miles.
Matt: Congrats on signing up for the half-marathon. You can do it!
ts7l : Good luck on the 10k! Have fun!
ncuneo: Wow, your half is coming up soon. I wish you the best of luck!

matt-- i think its BETTER to go out fast, then slow down, as far as training goes. Going out hard and fast and then slowing down teaches your body and legs to process out the lactic acid thats built up while you are still moving
There are very specific types of runs you can do for this. Goole Lactic Acid threshold runs, or any variatin of that
I did 2 11 miles LA Threshold runs a WEEK while i was training for my first marathion, and i truly believe with all my heart that those runs were KEY to my success, and the reason i finished not only strong (and right on goal time), but was actually able to run progressively faster with each mile after 20 mi, while EVERYone else was slowing down and fizzing out!
The best way to do them (IMHO) is to go out and do approx .25 miles at faster than 5K pace ( so FAST) then withOUT resting downshift to approx 10K pace for a half mile to .75 mi, then downshift AGAIN without resting to your Planned Half marathon pace. for approx 1 mi (thats your recovery) and REPEAT however many times. The 5K and 10K paces will QUICKLY buildup the lactic acid in your leg muscles, so then slowing down, without resting to half marathon pace, will teach your body to process it out while you are still running. This VERY CLOSELY simulates the fatigue you will be experiencing towards the end of the race. Threshold training ALSO conditions your body to not fill up with the LA as soon. This type of training run will do you way more good than your cut and dry interval workouts (which arent THAT beneficial for an endurance race) Your legs dont need to go fast, they need to go LONG!

Hi all.

Chick, I'm glad you said that, because looking at the two runs again last night, I'd already decided on the 12 hour run. It just looks like a fun, laid back group event. I like the idea of that. Good to know, also, that I won't need a support crew. I wasn't sure, since I haven't done any big miles/hours like that. So, it will be the end of Oct next year, which gives me a year to train. My sister said she might be interested, too, since she could set her own goal for time or mileage.

Matt, congratulations! I'm sure you'll do great! When going for time, I like to sprint at the end. I have gradually just added distance to the sprint as I feel able to, and I've made progress that way. MK's experience is interesting, though, so I will look into that. Anything that can help me run longer without bonking is good.

Tot, I think you're right about that. Whatever you plan to do on race day, try that out in your training runs, so no surprises.

Hey, speaking of long runs, can anybody share their experience with what to use to prevent chafing from clothing? In my 12K, I made the mistake of wearing a new pair of running shorts, and they ended up chafing like crazy. Didn't stop me or anything, but I could see how it could be an issue with a 50 mile run. I'm thinking I need to not only use a different pair of shorts, but maybe also get some Body Glide or vaseline, but I've never used anything before, so advice would be appreciated. I also read about taping the feet for an ultra distance...any advice on foot care as I get my mileage up, like how often I should check my feet, change socks, or what I should look out for?

BODYGLIDE. Just that. You will never chafe again, and dont be afraid to put it on EVERY inch of your body, including your feet--- you will never get blisters again.
Change your socks when your feet are wet

Jamsk8r-- you dont want to train for a year.
you need to pick a training plan, and STICK to it.
Same goes for you Matt!

For some reason (especially first -timers on these longer runs) the "novice" runner wants to modify the training, PARTICULARLY drag it out longer-- thinking itll be easy if they turn a 12 week program (or in your case Jam, prob 24 week) into a 20 week and 52 week program. THIS IS A BAD IDEA. Not only will it burn you out, but it will leave you prone to overuse injuries ( alot of people would just "double up", as in repeat each week oncem before moving to the next) These training plans are designed to increase load/mileage/intensity, in a progressive manner, and then take de-loading, or step back weeks, with an appropriate amount of recovery and increasing. If it was *better* to do a 24 week training program for a half marathon, instead of the 12 weeks prescribed, then it would have been DESIGNED as a 24 week program.

Jam-- for you, the only thin i would do during the next 6 months is try and build up to being able to run *close* to whatever the first long run of your training is. Probably a 20 miler? But you need to figure out the timeing, becasue you are going to need to recover and take some time off after building up. Tricky for you, because you ARENT a distance runner already-- as opposed to most others tackling an ultra---- probably done a marathon before and already possess the endurance and experience to run 20+ miles. To be honest, i dont understand why you dont try a marathon first? There are trail marathons... a LOT
But hey, if you are going to have a goal, might as well be really big! lol

compression gear stops the chafing too.

Good luck on your ultra plans cheryl. I always wondered who did those loop things as it sounds an absolute nightmare to me, so funny to me that it appeals to you and to hhichick, but i guess i hadn't considered the social side!

mkroyer - you sound like you know your stuff! Have you got any races coming up? What are your next running ambitions?

I've done a few half marathons, but not a full one yet.

The trails appeal much more than the road races to me, but i got an ITB injury last time i tried to ramp up too much, which i know is still lurking if i pushed too far too fast.

I do want to increase my distances over the next year though, ideally up to around 30-40km as there's quite a few good trail runs at that sort of range round here. (Only doing about 15km max at mo though, so a bit of work to be done).