A question for you ultra runners

corsayre8

Does this seem realistic?

I started running back in late Feb, early March. Have gotten into a running group that likes to convert runners into ultra runners. they all seem very optimistic, and enthusiastic about where I should go with this. But when I read other people's training plans, it seems like they are giving themselve's year to build up to a marathon.

Finished my first 10k a month ago in just over an hour. Currently I am up to about 10 miles, with a 10.5m trail race at the end of the month and a trail half marathon the third weekend in August. Am slightly behind in training due to a minor injury not due to running, but think I should be ready. Month and a half break with a tough 21 mile race in October, and a relatively easy down hill marathon two weeks later. All of which are trail runs.

Is this unrealistic? Or is it as these ladies say - "if you can do 10, you can do 20. You will be amazed at what you can do???"

Know they want to prepare me for a 50k next spring, but is this too aggressive?

joehempel

Holy crap!!

That's alot in a short period of time!!

But if you are doing those, I don't see why a 50k would be hard for you to do next year.

TheMrsBee

I say you will be fab! i only started running about 6 weeks ago and i have signed up for a half marathon in August!! i'm not looking too forward to it as i am still quite slow, but i don't care i just want to have something to focus towards. If you feel you are ready and that you can push yourself do it! Only you know how far you can go.

Good Luck!! :-)

jenilla1

Well, I trained for a marathon in about 4 months. I also think that if you can do 10 in training, you can do 20 on race day. It worked for me and my sister, anyway. The only concern I see is that you are doing a lot of races closely spaced. Over-training and over-competing in a short period of time can lead to repetitive stress injuries and general wearing down of the body. Some people are just made to handle it, others not so much. I would take nice breaks between competitions if it were me - not quit running, of course, just scale way back and recuperate in between. I know I would destroy my body if I didn't rest it...Good luck! :flowerforyou:

thinno

In my view, it's way too agressive. To go from not running to a 50k in about a year is asking for trouble! A lot of runners use what is called the "rule of threes", ie you don't run a half marathon until you have (comfortably) run 3 10k races... then you don't run a full marathon until you've run 3 halves ... and so on.

The thing you want to avoid at all costs is getting an overuse-related injury and then not being able to run at all ... I've been there a few times and it is no fun.

There's a difference between what you have the guts and determination to push yourself through, and what your physical body is actually capable of - we're all built slightly differently and there's no shame in realising that you have limits. I can run a 10k in under 40 mins, which is fairly quick, but there's no way I'd attempt a marathon - I'm just not built to withstand it.

If you want to burn a lot of calories but minimise the risk of injury then a safer way is to cross train, that way you aren't constantly hammering the same part of your body. Running 10 miles is really good going, and would form an excellent part of an overall fitness plan!

Best of luck, hope this helps!

corsayre8

In my view, it's way too agressive. To go from not running to a 50k in about a year is asking for trouble! A lot of runners use what is called the "rule of threes", ie you don't run a half marathon until you have (comfortably) run 3 10k races... then you don't run a full marathon until you've run 3 halves ... and so on.

The thing you want to avoid at all costs is getting an overuse-related injury and then not being able to run at all ... I've been there a few times and it is no fun.

There's a difference between what you have the guts and determination to push yourself through, and what your physical body is actually capable of - we're all built slightly differently and there's no shame in realising that you have limits. I can run a 10k in under 40 mins, which is fairly quick, but there's no way I'd attempt a marathon - I'm just not built to withstand it.

Intuitively it seemed a bit much to me.

I will say the 10k was not only comfortable, but almost easy. Even after a continuous three mile climb out of the canyon, I was picking men off, to finish tenth overall, and second female in. I continuously picked up pace, and had energy to spare at the end. I'm not really competitive with my running, and was planning to use the 10.5 mile race as a "training" run for the half. After that I will see how I feel about continuing on this path.

It really isn't so much about the calorie burn at this point, as I am ok with my current weight. Cross training involves hiking, spin, mountain biking and horseback riding. Been having trouble getting into the gym since summer hit, so a bit lacking on strength training. But mostly I just am loving being outside running.

I appreciate the input, and will definatly keep it as reference if my body starts saying the same things my mind is!

rybo

On paper that sounds like a lot, but I think you probably need to be your own best guide. See how your body is responding to the runs. You certainly seem to be doing quite well already, so just keep taking it one race at a time and if you sense it's too much back, off a little.
Otherwise good luck, trail running is a lot of fun, I'm doing my 1st trail race in a couple weeks, a 25K.

bunchesonothing

I would say that it depends on how you treat your races. Treat them like training runs, IMO and you will be fine. Treat them all like you're running for your life, and that many.... there is a possibility you might get hurt. Make sure your training program allows for weekly rest and overall cutbacks occasionally.

I went from running nothing to running a marathon from January to October. Whereas it is not necessarily advisable, it is doable.

arc918

I'm barely an ultrarunner (one 50K & 21 marathons), but here's my $02:

The jump from 10 to 20 may be a tough one. The jump from 26.2 to 31 (50K) is an easy one, assuming you have a few marathons under your belt. One other thing, trails are a who different beast, as some are really easy (rails to trails stuff) while others have tons of climbing and technical footing.

Also, lots of people wouldn't put the words easy, downhill & marathon together. I happen to love downhill races, but they are quad busters and have to be handled with care. Also, they can take extra time to recover from.

Bottom line, you can give it a try and see how your body responds. I think you just have to be prepared to slow things down if you continue to have injury issues. Good luck.