Thinking about my first 50k

Tristan

Barefooters
Sep 15, 2011
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Pretty much from the get-go when I started to run more seriously (and barefoot) I'd been interested in running an ultra. I honestly hadn't heard of ultras prior, and it hadn't been too long since I didn't even know the length of a marathon! I'd always been a runner, but more of I shorter/medium distance and just for fun, I never raced so didn't really know much about the 'sport'. When I started the barefoot journey, and read Jason R's The Barefoot Running Book, I was inspired about his 'ultra' race reports. I've went on to complete 2 marathons now, but didn't feel like I was adequately prepared and both of them hurt, pretty bad. I decided I wouldn't do another until I could get enough mileage in. However part of the issue was that I pushed so hard for both of those, and they were flat road races. My first marathon was 3:48. I think maybe if I just completely let go of the competitive nature and just went out there and ran along at a modest pace then I could probably have not hurt so bad after them. And this really seems like the vibe I get when researching this trail 50k... I see lots of smiling faces in the race photos, groups of folks talking along the way...

I learned about this local 50k, the Playin' Possum 50k, about a year ago. But after my marathon in '14 I decided no marathon for '15 and especially no ultra. I'd shift my focus to just running with no particular goals. I also picked up Hal Koerners guide to ultrarunning a year ago, but quickly shelved it when I read at the very beginning in chapter 1 how 50k is pretty much the same training you'd need for a marathon. "You can successfully prepare for a marathon doing 50 to 90 miles a week." What? I think I have done 50 miles in a week once or maybe twice ever. Doing this on a regular basis, and up to 90, just ain't going to happen with my schedule. Has anyone ever done an ultra on shiftwork with 14-hr door to door time, flipping shift regularly from nights to days, and single with a kid at home on all your days off?

But what I wonder (maybe I should have kept reading) is if that is a good training plan to be somewhat competitive or just to be able to finish it without killing yourself? Could I do a slow 50k, maybe with walking in there, if I only averaged 30-some miles per week, with a few maybe 40+?

My mileage was all over the place in '15 but still the year ended up my best yet at just shy of 1,000 miles. Winter normal sets me back greatly, I am rarely 'ready' to race a half come first of May, so unfortunately the Playin' Possum 50k is middle of May. This winter has been fairly mild, and December was actually my highest mileage month of '15 at ~150 miles. January had a couple low mileage weeks but supplementing with some indoor stairs and cycling. And now the extended forecast looks promising. But the race is less than 4 months away (May 14th).

Would I have time prepare? is 30-40 mpw going to cut the mustard just to finish? I have one other potential snag, I am very committed to a half marathon 2 weeks prior, April 30, in which I plan to go all out. That probably should be my last long run instead of a shorter race, but perhaps the higher effort level will be similar for training purposes. So open to any advice. There are not many local ultras, especially ones that appear to be barefoot-able, so this one is a nice possibility. Plus the ultra section has been lacking activity lately so just trying to give you all something to talk about. :playful: :confused:
 
That advice sounds like a training plan to be very competitive and probably if you had this race as your A race for the year. Plus It's a lot less of a time commitment to run 50-90 miles a week at 6:30 min miles than 9:30, sometimes thinking of total time is a better way to translate those plans. So 90 miles at their pace would be around 10 hours a week max of running, that's probably more manageable? Not that I am knocking your ability but being more realistic especially when you have your other responsibilities that are more important.

Maybe the best idea is not to race it just go out and try out the 50k. See if you like the atmosphere, distance, camaraderie, etc... Especially if you are considering of doing it barefoot, that's probably going to be the toughest obstacle.

"COURSE INFO: The course for this race is beautiful with a great variety of terrain and views. As you might expect from a trail race there are many roots, rocks, rolling hills, and the potential for mud. Despite this the race has a forgiving surface and is considered to be less intense and technical than some other trail ultra-marathons in our region."
 
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I may check out the course tomorrow, if weather permits. They have a facebook page with hundreds of pictures of runners on the course, plus I asked the race director. It's mostly dirt trail, with a couple spots here or there with some gravel fill. He claims they have had other barefooters and they have done well. :eek: and I figured I'd be the first!

But to give an idea of where I am at here is the past couple months. December was a really good month for me, and things slacked off in January when the temps went below freezing. I did however start riding the bike indoors on rollers when it is really cold.
december-distance.png


As far as time is concerned, I'm no where near 10 hours a week:

december_time.png

I may be able to up that some, but doubt I'd get 10 hours per week. Maybe. but doubtful. Some weeks regardless of any other commitments my work schedule just doesn't allow it... I'm on a 6 week rotation and one of those weeks are 72hrs and even the following 48 hour week is hard to do anything since I get off nightshift, my first day (and second) I am trying to flip my clock in reverse and feel like crap. Sometimes I'll get a run in or two on the two days I have off even when I feel like crap, but then I work 4 12hr shifts in a row. In addition to the work schedule and other commitments I didn't mention prior but I am doing some big renovations to my house which takes up a lot of time, and my parents are paying me a visit in April and I want to have the house mostly done and cleaned by then. They haven't been here in 8 years. There is no way I'll be done with renovations by then, just to give you an idea of the scope of work, but I can get it good enough to take the plastic down over the doorways and open it up. It just probably wont have flooring or drywall finished yet.

So let me rephrase my question then... assuming I can hold similar performance to December, lets say 5-6 hours a week, 30-40 mpw, should I consider entering the 50k In May just to finish (not 'racing'). Cut off is ~15 minute pace, I could probably walk the last 10 miles if needed. If it is a bad idea I can pass of course, but this is the mildest winter we've had that I can recall so my best chance of being ready in spring.
 
Especially if you are considering of doing it barefoot, that's probably going to be the toughest obstacle.
Well you might be right about that. I was getting my hopes up from pics and the rd's email to me. But I went out there today thinking about doing half of it as a long run. Well that was cut down to 6 miles my soles just couldnt take any more. Much worse gravel than I was led to believe. On top of that it was very muddy, and it was still partly frozen, so my feet were cold, and it was threatening rain so I packed it in early. 22.5 miles this week of running. I put some pics of the trail on the mileage reporting thread for this past week. I'll still try to train for it, get some more trail training in since I haven't been on trail in months, and then make a decision in a couple months I guess. But it is not looking good.
 
Yeah that was gonna be my exact response, of course you would have no problem running it with that time frame, and probably kicking some ass. But... if you want it barefoot then the whole equation changes. The cutoff is 8 hours which seems easy but if you are walking slow for the last 15 miles then its really not that much time. To be honest I don't really know what kind of time commitment you would need to train your feet? Broadarrow has done this a couple of times so he may be able to provide some help. All I know is trails seem so much easier when you are in shoes, so its hard to trust others opinions on the terrain without trying it out for yourself, as you figured out.
 
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Oh also 10hours would be the high end of training, 5-6 hours would be the 50 miles per week version, so you look like your doing perfectly fine.
You probably already know this, but I think the long run is the most important one. I have a minimalist mentality when it comes to running and I think a long run every two weeks is more than enough. However from the barefoot perspective it might be better to spend more frequent longer times on your feet. So maybe a long run one weekend and a long walk the next would be how I would go about it.
 
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DO IT !!!
If I BQ with only three runs a week and ran a 50K(with my walk breaks approach)on the TM then you'll have no problem with it, not to mention that you're a better runner than this little old Dama :)
Higher mileage doesn't always translate to better results. a few years back I decided to up my mileage on the 45-50 mpw range and I didn't like it, simply because all that running felt more like work and it wasn't any fun for me so I went back to my 30-35 mpw, with the occasional 40 mpw here and there.
So yea, you got my blessings and don't overthink it---just do it:)
 
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Thanks Abide and Dama! I intend to go back to check out some more sections of the trail. If most of the rest of it is gravel free, then maybe I'll consider it. However that 3.5 mile stretch I did, which will be both the middle and very end (start of the second 15 mile loop), was pretty miserable. It's hard to say what it will be like in May, maybe the gravel will be more packed down or whatever.

With the section I did, and walking through the roughest gravel parts, I was pretty close to 15 minute average pace. That is pretty close to the cutoff and I only did 6 miles! Now I'd probably go faster on the better parts, on race day, and I had cold and numb feet which were working against me too that won't be a problem in May.

If this was all natural trail (not backfilled by man with crushed limestone, etc) I'd probably go for it without a doubt. I've also considered maybe bringing my huaraches for the gravel parts, but me running in anything other than barefoot is often an issue. Sometimes I do a run ok, but many of them end in debilitating foot pain. I'd definitely have to practice in them since I usually don't. Something about them really throws off my form.

I'll still be looking for that all natural grass path ultra... or better yet pine needle dirt path! Why is it always rocks! lol
 
Hey Tristan. Nice that you are considering an Ultra. I know you like trails from your hiking posts. So could you complete it on your current mileage and crazy schedule. Yes, just slow your pace and add more walk breaks. That high mileage plan is certainly for the more competitive runners. The problem I see is doing it barefoot. I don't think you have enough time to prepare for it this year. Maybe start doing your long distances in sandals. Do the 50k in sandals this year and then you can prep to do it barefoot next year. Also, worried about your all out half two weeks before. If you really want to be 100% for the 50k, don't race two weeks out.
 
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Hey Tristan. Nice that you are considering an Ultra. I know you like trails from your hiking posts. So could you complete it on your current mileage and crazy schedule. Yes, just slow your pace and add more walk breaks. That high mileage plan is certainly for the more competitive runners. The problem I see is doing it barefoot. I don't think you have enough time to prepare for it this year. Maybe start doing your long distances in sandals. Do the 50k in sandals this year and then you can prep to do it barefoot next year. Also, worried about your all out half two weeks before. If you really want to be 100% for the 50k, don't race two weeks out.

This advice is right on the money-me thinks.