Ultramarathon: yay or nay?

deannalfisher

maybe consider another ultra that won't cost as much or that you could get to from home easily - not sure where you live, but i have many friends that run ultras (one of the idiots just did the mid-west grand slam of 4 100 milers in like a 3 month period) can find then within a decent driving distance of home

7lenny7

bendyourkneekatie wrote: »

To make it up to myself I've signed up for a trail marathon next month which is reachable by public transport. Luckily I recovered pretty quickly from the Sydney marathon last month and have already built my base back up, and have enough time to fit in 4 long runs before tapering (again!).

Thanks again for the input everyone!

Fantastic! Trail marathons take longer than a road marathon so they can certainly feel like an ultra. I think you made a great choice. A 50K is only 5 miles longer so you will essentially be getting the ultra experience anyway. Have a great race!!

For those who say you can't imagine running more than a few miles, it's all what you like. Thankfully there are a multitude of ways to get fit and get strong. Personally, I could run all day long if my body allowed it. Long runs for me are a way of mediation.

My longest run so far is nearly 6.5 hours which was my first 50k a few months ago (at the age of 50). My first 50 mile ultra will be in April and I'll continue to step up the distance and the challenge every year. And I'm just getting started.

Now going to the gym, that's where I would have my limits. I can't imagine spending hours in the gym each week when I can be running trails, outside, with nature. Day or night, rain or sun, summer or winter...it doesn't matter. That's where I want to be. No monthly membership fee, no dirty showers, open 24/7, no waiting for someone to get off my machine, just me and the single-track. Then again, in a gym you don't have to worry about ticks, mosquitoes, bear, snakes, tripping on roots and rocks, getting lost, getting caught in a sudden thunderstorm, frostbite, etc.

lporter229

7lenny7 wrote: »

bendyourkneekatie wrote: »

To make it up to myself I've signed up for a trail marathon next month which is reachable by public transport. Luckily I recovered pretty quickly from the Sydney marathon last month and have already built my base back up, and have enough time to fit in 4 long runs before tapering (again!).

Thanks again for the input everyone!

Now going to the gym, that's where I would have my limits. I can't imagine spending hours in the gym each week when I can be running trails, outside, with nature. Day or night, rain or sun, summer or winter...it doesn't matter. That's where I want to be. No monthly membership fee, no dirty showers, open 24/7, no waiting for someone to get off my machine, just me and the single-track. Then again, in a gym you don't have to worry about ticks, mosquitoes, bear, snakes, tripping on roots and rocks, getting lost, getting caught in a sudden thunderstorm, frostbite, etc.

This is me 100%. Recently, I have had to force myself into the gym one day a week because I know it is necessary if I want to continue running over the long haul. But I have had to hire a personal trainer in order to keep me motivated and accountable. This is something I never have had to worry about with running.