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.
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.