Am I ready to try a 50K?

pobalita

Looking for words of wisdom here. I want to run my first 50K trail run in June. It's about 7,500 feet of gain over 2 25K loops and a 9 hour cutoff. My only goal is to finish. Most of the trail ultras around here have about that type of elevation gain - or more - so I didn't choose one that was purposely hard.

I've done two full marathons (road) in the past two years and have my third in April. I've done two 20-mile trail runs with up to 3,500 feet of gain - one a few weeks ago. I've done +30 road and trail half marathons including back to backs and Quadzuki (4 back to back). This weekend I did back to back 20 mile/half marathon and I feel ok today - just tired legs.

I fully understand the difference between technical trail running and road running....which is why I'm asking if I have enough experience to try the 50K. Am I missing some huge reason why I shouldn't try this? I don't want to set myself up to fail.

JustWant2Run

Wow, I think you have a solid background. If you are not ready, I sure as hell am not and I'm already signed up for a technical trail 50K in September...

taeliesyn

I'm assuming since most of the trail ultra's around you have some nice elevation, that you're able to and hopefully already run a lot of hills.
You've definitely got the background for it, and assuming you get your training in the lead up right, I don't see why you would have any issues.

Curtruns

yes

snowflakesav

Yes. You can do this. take into account that you will need to eat a fair amount and it is not uncommon to power hike the uphills.

pobalita

I do train on a lot of hills. Many of the half marathons that I do are +/- 2,000 feet. 7,500 is a lot of elevation, but much of that is on the initial part of the loop so I'd hit a lot of it on the first few miles and then again at 16 miles and can hike it if needed.

Thanks everyone. Since no one is telling me I'm overly ambitious, I may very well give it a try.

Very inspiring race video: https://player.vimeo.com/video/119655059 Yakima Skyline looks awesome too but is too close to Big Sur Marathon.

SchweddyGirl

I am not an ultra (yet), but I see my cousins talking all the time about how they simply power hike the hills and run the down hills and flats.

vcphil

Have you ran in trails? Raced in trails? I think you'd be fine. You've done a lot of longer distance races.

briebee7

I was just talking to my Tuesday morning buddies this morning about ultra trail runs as one of them is training for a 100k in May. The overwhelming concensus was that trail races are way more fun than road races! The food, people and overall atmosphere are always fantastic on the hand full of trail races I have done. I have only done trail halfs thus far however a 50K is starting to sound more and more appealing (Summer 2016 perhaps).

It sounds like you certainly have a strong enough running base to train for one. Enjoy.

BTW - I am doing Big Sur as well. 5 weeks!

DonPendergraft

Usually the answer is to hold the person back a bit since they tend to be over-eager beginners. This is clearly NOT the case with you though! Though you haven't run an ultra, I think that you have plenty of good experience that will help you to successfully finish. Read "Relentless Forward Progress" for some great tips. You may have to worry a bit more about your hydration and nutrition, but I think that you will do great!

Robbnva

Im just in awe really, I can't imagine running that long. If you do it, good luck

pobalita

DonPendergraft wrote: »

Usually the answer is to hold the person back a bit since they tend to be over-eager beginners. This is clearly NOT the case with you though! Though you haven't run an ultra, I think that you have plenty of good experience that will help you to successfully finish. Read "Relentless Forward Progress" for some great tips. You may have to worry a bit more about your hydration and nutrition, but I think that you will do great!

Well, friend, if you say it's possible, then I believe it is. I'll look for the book for sure. I've been running my long runs lately with a 2L Nathan hydration pack and experimenting with S-caps since I've had cramps in heat before. I've also learned to eat food while I run - I'll study up on the right calorie intake.

chemlabdoc

You will do fine. I ran a 50k first before any marathons. I had my fastest time when I walked the uphills. I will see if I can beat it this year but who knows. 9 hours for 50k is tons of time. You would have to break something to not finish that. I would also say don't stress about nutrition. Eat what looks good at the time. The causes of leg cramps are not fully understood. S-caps don't hurt but you can also enjoy potato chips, pretzels, and other snacks.