5k Jogger to Ultra Runner in 14 weeks

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  • jturnerx
    jturnerx Posts: 325 Member
    I'd actually enjoy seeing someone go from C25K to trail marathon. :)

    I would too but it should be C25k to a trail 50k ... although I've yet to see a trail marathon actually be 26.2 miles. Sometimes they are 20, sometimes they are 25.

    I had two years, 3 road marathons and a trail marathon under my belt before I did my first 50k. I don't get the rush either but to each their own. I'm going to go get some popcorn now.
  • KathleenMurry
    KathleenMurry Posts: 448 Member
    This not a wise idea at all. It is a recipe for injury. There is absolutely no reason to jump from 5K to ultra in that short of a period of time. There are plenty of intermediate goals that are worthwhile. I just don't get why so many people feel like you have to run a marathon or longer to be considered a runner. Why not try for a 25 minute 5K? That still requires you to run nearly the same mileage that you would to train for a Half Marathon.

    Running endurance is not built up over a period of weeks and months. It takes YEARS to build a proper aerobic base AND to condition the muscles, tendons and ligaments to be able to handle the rigors of marathon training. You can't rush it. There are no shortcuts. You just have to run and gradually build your mileage.

    Listen to Carson! He knows all!

    This plan has you increasing distance WAY too quickly. Most sound training programs will have you increase your long run by 10% each week. You wouldn't increase your total weekly mileage so fast, either.

    You're setting yourself up for injury and disappointment.

    I got hooked on training after my first 5 km race which was only a couple months ago. For the next two years, I'm focused on getting my 5 km time below 20 minutes. I have gradually, over months, increased my mileage to 40/week and am working toward 60/week...very gradually. To me, this will be a more meaningful accomplishment than struggling just to finish 26.2 miles and hating every injured minute of it.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    This not a wise idea at all. It is a recipe for injury. There is absolutely no reason to jump from 5K to ultra in that short of a period of time. There are plenty of intermediate goals that are worthwhile. I just don't get why so many people feel like you have to run a marathon or longer to be considered a runner. Why not try for a 25 minute 5K? That still requires you to run nearly the same mileage that you would to train for a Half Marathon.

    Running endurance is not built up over a period of weeks and months. It takes YEARS to build a proper aerobic base AND to condition the muscles, tendons and ligaments to be able to handle the rigors of marathon training. You can't rush it. There are no shortcuts. You just have to run and gradually build your mileage.

    Every post I have seen from this guy speaks to his knowledge about running. The OP (and anyone else considering such an advanced, strenuous plan) would be wise to listen to him.
  • KathleenMurry
    KathleenMurry Posts: 448 Member
    I would also like to point out that this plan was developed by an elite athlete who already has an advanced fitness level. This is not safe for the average runner.
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    I agree with the poster that said the first 15 miler will be a wake up call. I ran my first full marathon this year and was very surprised to realize how much harder those long runs become when you are running for 2-4 hours. It's not quite the same as training for a half marathon. Each additional mile is HUGE when you are up in the high double digits. Good luck, but don't underestimate how difficult it may be.
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    From 5k (barely) to TRAIL MARATHON in 14 weeks???

    I'm hoping to graduate from 5k to 10k in about the same amount of time you're planning to go from 5k to 42k over rugged terrain.

    Good luck with that.

    (And *now*, to read the rest of this thread...)


    Edit: Okay, I'm actually planning to graduate from 5k to 10k in about 6 weeks. 14 weeks includes the time from beginning to 5k. The message in my post is unchanged by this clarification. I tried pushing myself on distances once before. Was quickly up to 5-8 miles on rugged trails and loving it. Problem was that I wasn't ready for the mileage or the terrain and I ran myself into a nasty case of PF. This time, I'm taking it slow and building gradually. If people out there are going from 5k to trail marathon in a few months without any resulting chronic problems, I'm impressed.
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    Why not just do it now? You chicken?

    Go hard or go home, right?
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    I very much look forward to the update in 14 weeks
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    I would also like to point out that this plan was developed by an elite athlete who already has an advanced fitness level. This is not safe for the average runner.
    I think thats the bit the OP is trying to ignore
  • cwsikes
    cwsikes Posts: 86
    This sounds like the most terrible "plan" I've ever read but I'm sure that won't stop anyone from trying it.
  • KathleenMurry
    KathleenMurry Posts: 448 Member

    Eat sensibly when you get home. Max 2k calories for a man for the day

    Why so few calories? You bet your *kitten* I'm eating 3000+ calories on days I run 15 miles. And I'm a small female.

    Worst training plan I ever saw.

    Where did you go OP?
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    Not one single rest day NOT ONE! :noway:

    Only 2000 cals a day for a man - on 24 mile runs - **** that.

    Recipe for disaster I'm afraid.

    I'm currently making up my own plan to get from 5k to 10k and EVERYONE recommends no more than a 10% increase in mileage each week with regularly spaced de-load weeks to help you recover.

    Yes, a few people might be able to do this without injury but I'll bet 99% of people do some damage to themselves.

    Seriously what's the rush - take it slow enjoy the learning curve and don't run before you can walk :wink:

    I've done the rushing into a marathon training plan and got injured - I would never do that again, and would suggest you to listen to the others saying the same thing. The race will still be there next year - and then you will be able to fully enjoy it.
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member

    Eat sensibly when you get home. Max 2k calories for a man for the day

    Why so few calories? You bet your *kitten* I'm eating 3000+ calories on days I run 15 miles. And I'm a small female.

    Worst training plan I ever saw.

    Where did you go OP?

    This was part of the plan??? I missed that.

    Terrifying. I'm a fairly old guy who maintains on 2500 daily...

    ...and those days don't include running 15 miles. I'd need to eat closer to 4000.

    So I guess this "plan" is for going from 5k jogger to trail marathoner *AND* losing weight at the same time?!?

    My brain...it hurts. (And I think my PF flared up just thinking about this "plan".)
  • hilts1969
    hilts1969 Posts: 465 Member
    I await Steve Redgrave's walking up the stairs to sprinting across the states non stop in 3 easy steps with eagerness

    day one - walk up stairs

    day two - walk up two flights of stairs

    day three - sprint across america without stopping

    day four - wind down by jogging the sahara in flip flops without water wearing a 50kg back pack
  • hilts1969
    hilts1969 Posts: 465 Member
    I await Steve Redgrave's walking up the stairs to sprinting across the states non stop in 3 easy steps with eagerness

    day one - walk up stairs

    day two - walk up two flights of stairs

    day three - sprint across america without stopping

    day four - wind down by jogging the sahara in flip flops without water wearing a 50kg back pack
  • msarro
    msarro Posts: 2,748 Member
    I wouldn't suggest this unless you're already at a 10k level. The first week expects a LSD of 6mi? Yeah, not going to happen if you are just finishing c25k.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    The extent of this "training plan" seems to be "run further every week". It's pure, unadulterated, insanity. No rest days. Insufficient caloric intake. Insane ramping up. No mention of pacing, intervals, tempo runs, etc...

    I've never before been so hopeful that I'm responding to a troll post.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Also, gold medals for rowing don't increase your credibility for putting together running plans.
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    I'll take "really, really good ways to get injured for $500 Alex..."
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Also, gold medals for rowing don't increase your credibility for putting together running plans.
    actually James cracknell has experience in multiple sports and has completed events such as the Marathon De stables. So he has pretty good credibility just not convinced about this plan.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    OP - please do come back and update us in 14 weeks
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    I'd actually like to know the original source for this training plan. Is it actually designed by James Cracknell or is that just what someone has said?
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Also, gold medals for rowing don't increase your credibility for putting together running plans.
    actually James cracknell has experience in multiple sports and has completed events such as the Marathon De stables. So he has pretty good credibility just not convinced about this plan.

    I wonder how long it took him to go from "sedentary slob" to "ultramarathon runner."
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Is anybody else seeing the 2000 daily calories for a man with that kind of running a trifle extreme. I eat 2000 BEFORE I add in my exercise calories and I'm losing a 1/2 pound a week.

    Edit: never mind. Just read the second half of the second page. LOL on the sprinting up stairs to running across the country comment.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Also, gold medals for rowing don't increase your credibility for putting together running plans.
    actually James cracknell has experience in multiple sports and has completed events such as the Marathon De stables. So he has pretty good credibility just not convinced about this plan.

    Yes, but as you yourself pointed out, he started from a position of excellent physical fitness. Not from only just managing to run a 5k for the first time.

    I'm sure he has credibility for running technique, etc.. but he has no credibility for turning beginners, who have run for a total of nine weeks and just run their first 5k, into ultra-marathoners.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    But didn't the OP actually follow this plan before?
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    But didn't the OP actually follow this plan before?

    The OP has zero credibility.
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    this really sounds tempting

    it sounds ( and is ) very stupid.
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    OP - please do come back and update us in 3 weeks when you are sidelined with injuries...

    fixed it for you!
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Why is it that running threads never have the level of butthurt as ordinary threads?

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