Trail Mix 50K
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
Joined
·
171 Posts
Well, you've got the first part down--consistency-- that's for sure. There is definitely something special about running trails. It brings out the runner in a lot of people who had previously only seen running as pavement pounding.<br><br>
Have you been doing long runs?
Have you been doing long runs?
Joined
·
3,810 Posts
Long runs... are my favorite... I have not 31 miles yet... but I know mentally I can push myself the distance... even if it means walking.<br><br>
I am currently doing back to back Long runs every Thursday and SUnday between 13 -15 I will start upping that to 15- 20 miles in the next two weeks. My current Longest is just over 22 miles... could have gone longer but did not want to push my legs.<br><br>
My biggest fear is myself... Will I try to run someone elses pace as they pass me... I really have to make my self walk Down any steep hills... THose seem to kill me the most!
I am currently doing back to back Long runs every Thursday and SUnday between 13 -15 I will start upping that to 15- 20 miles in the next two weeks. My current Longest is just over 22 miles... could have gone longer but did not want to push my legs.<br><br>
My biggest fear is myself... Will I try to run someone elses pace as they pass me... I really have to make my self walk Down any steep hills... THose seem to kill me the most!
Joined
·
171 Posts
Yeah, running your own pace and denying those competitive inner demons is important. It is a very good thing that you recognize that. It's tough, but it's part of the game.<br><br>
From the few images on the <a href="http://www.trailmixracemn.org/raceinfo.html" target="_blank">race website</a>, it looks like a nice woodchipped surface. The description refers to grassy trail, too. That bodes very well for the downhills being gentle on your legs. Also, the 3:15ish winning/record times referred to on the page suggest that the race is flat enough that there won't be downhills significant enough to really pound your legs to pieces. (okay, looking again, I see results all the way into 7 hours, but it can't be that hilly if anyone is running 3:15) If there is a "ski hill," though, that sounds like a dandy place to walk.<br><br>
Don't think of walking as conceding defeat. It is anything but. It most ultras, it is par for the course, and can really be a life-saver. I will walk almost anything, particularly in the first lap of a multi-loop race. It's all about doing what you need to to get to the finish. Race pace during these events has little to nothing to do with typical road-running training pace, let alone road-racing pace.<br><br>
It sounds like you have signed up for one of the few ultras that are run at marathon-type intensity. This may make the experience far more like a marathon than an ultra, particularly in the reduced number of hours you will be on the course. With three water-stops every 7ish miles and relatively flat, non-technical terrain, you should be very well supported during the run and prepared by your typical training without a lot of trail-time. Keep stretching those long runs out and find the foods that work for you. If you are planning on maintaining a pretty high level of exertion, look to liquid calorie sources that may be easier to digest.<br><br>
Relax and enjoy your long run in the park!
From the few images on the <a href="http://www.trailmixracemn.org/raceinfo.html" target="_blank">race website</a>, it looks like a nice woodchipped surface. The description refers to grassy trail, too. That bodes very well for the downhills being gentle on your legs. Also, the 3:15ish winning/record times referred to on the page suggest that the race is flat enough that there won't be downhills significant enough to really pound your legs to pieces. (okay, looking again, I see results all the way into 7 hours, but it can't be that hilly if anyone is running 3:15) If there is a "ski hill," though, that sounds like a dandy place to walk.<br><br>
Don't think of walking as conceding defeat. It is anything but. It most ultras, it is par for the course, and can really be a life-saver. I will walk almost anything, particularly in the first lap of a multi-loop race. It's all about doing what you need to to get to the finish. Race pace during these events has little to nothing to do with typical road-running training pace, let alone road-racing pace.<br><br>
It sounds like you have signed up for one of the few ultras that are run at marathon-type intensity. This may make the experience far more like a marathon than an ultra, particularly in the reduced number of hours you will be on the course. With three water-stops every 7ish miles and relatively flat, non-technical terrain, you should be very well supported during the run and prepared by your typical training without a lot of trail-time. Keep stretching those long runs out and find the foods that work for you. If you are planning on maintaining a pretty high level of exertion, look to liquid calorie sources that may be easier to digest.<br><br>
Relax and enjoy your long run in the park!
Joined
·
3,810 Posts
From what I have been told there is plenty of up and downs on this course....<br><br>
I have been training with both solids and gels...<br><br>
I have found solids work well before the start... but gels help me out quickly while running.
I have been training with both solids and gels...<br><br>
I have found solids work well before the start... but gels help me out quickly while running.
Joined
·
3,810 Posts
had a good training week this week...<br><br>
did a 22 mile on thursday.... stronger than I have ever done before... to the tune of 35 minutes faster ... than last 22. and felt awesome at the end!<br><br>
today I followed it up with a 16 mile run with a strong fast finish.
did a 22 mile on thursday.... stronger than I have ever done before... to the tune of 35 minutes faster ... than last 22. and felt awesome at the end!<br><br>
today I followed it up with a 16 mile run with a strong fast finish.
Joined
·
2,841 Posts
You're doing something right. Just ran my first 22 miler yesterday, only in the last couple months have 16 miles left me with enough juice to really push it at the end. I don't have the balls to commit to a 50K though <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> I'm sure I could though, after yesterday's tough 22. Go for it, take RunLongVT's advice to heart and keep doin' what you're doin! (Don't go distance crazy and carried away though, give yourself some kind of taper)
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
