Training for a 30 mile trail run!

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ktfranke
ktfranke Posts: 217 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I had a girlfriend ask me to do a 30 mile trail run with her in late July! I've never run a marathon before, just a half! But I'm getting into my training, and I'm feeling optimistic so far! Ready to take on the beast! Let's do this!!!
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Replies

  • bendyourkneekatie
    bendyourkneekatie Posts: 696 Member
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    Wow, that's 48 km, that's amazing! Good luck!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    What's your current weekly mileage?
  • CollieFit
    CollieFit Posts: 1,683 Member
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    When did you start building mileage for this?
  • ktfranke
    ktfranke Posts: 217 Member
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    I just started training a week ago! Downloaded the "run trainer," app by the makers of MFP! They have me running intervals and cross training to build a good base. By next weekend I'll be running 6 miles for my long run!
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
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    ktfranke wrote: »
    I just started training a week ago! Downloaded the "run trainer," app by the makers of MFP! They have me running intervals and cross training to build a good base. By next weekend I'll be running 6 miles for my long run!

    There's an app that takes totally new runners from couch to six miles in two weeks???

    That seems...ambitious.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
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    ktfranke wrote: »
    I just started training a week ago! Downloaded the "run trainer," app by the makers of MFP! They have me running intervals and cross training to build a good base. By next weekend I'll be running 6 miles for my long run!

    By the makers of MFP, you say.

    I don't see what could possibly go wrong.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    ktfranke wrote: »
    I just started training a week ago! Downloaded the "run trainer," app by the makers of MFP! They have me running intervals and cross training to build a good base. By next weekend I'll be running 6 miles for my long run!

    You're not currently running?
  • ElizabethOakes2
    ElizabethOakes2 Posts: 1,038 Member
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    WOW! That sounds awesome! I doubt I'd ever try it, but what a neat challenge!
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
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    TavistockToad wrote: »
    ktfranke wrote: »
    I just started training a week ago! Downloaded the "run trainer," app by the makers of MFP! They have me running intervals and cross training to build a good base. By next weekend I'll be running 6 miles for my long run!

    You're not currently running?

    (There's a whole lot of us in here with the same likely conclusion but we just need some more data. We're all ready to pounce as soon as she provides it.)
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
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    Wow! That sounds like the ultimate run to me! I'm kind of jealous but at the same time glad it's not me. You're gonna be so sore. I LOVE trail runs and I love marathons. Put them together and ADD even more mileage and it's way over the top for me. I guess I'm getting too old. I would have totally suffered through this 10 years ago. Have fun but don't kill yourself in training!
  • RUN_LIFT_EAT
    RUN_LIFT_EAT Posts: 537 Member
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    Those kind of races have A LOT of walking strategically planned throughout the course. The elite racers will tell you that there's a ratio of walk:run that you'll want to focus on so you can make it to the finish. Good luck!
  • johnnygizmo
    johnnygizmo Posts: 59 Member
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    Check out smartcoach.runnersworld.com they will let you build a plan for free (up to marathon length) but that will at least give you an idea. I've used it twice before and it was great!
  • snikkins
    snikkins Posts: 1,282 Member
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    I did my first trail 50k after having run 4 marathons and quite a few half marathons.

    It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
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    jenilla1 wrote: »
    Wow! That sounds like the ultimate run to me! I'm kind of jealous but at the same time glad it's not me. You're gonna be so sore. I LOVE trail runs and I love marathons. Put them together and ADD even more mileage and it's way over the top for me. I guess I'm getting too old. I would have totally suffered through this 10 years ago. Have fun but don't kill yourself in training!

    I've actually found that trail ultras are a lot easier on my body than road marathons. I could maybe run 1-2 "A" marathons a year, but can easily race a 50k every month or every other if my mileage is consistent.

    Good luck OP, sounds like you might need it.
  • ktfranke
    ktfranke Posts: 217 Member
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    RUN_LIFT_EAT wrote: »
    Those kind of races have A LOT of walking strategically planned throughout the course. The elite racers will tell you that there's a ratio of walk:run that you'll want to focus on so you can make it to the finish. Good luck!

    Haha! I didn't go from couch to 6 miles! Don't worry everyone, I'm going about this smart, and I won't stress my body out too much ;) The app has you put in what level of runner you are before you get started with the plan! And I've already been a runner, ("I've run a half before,") for years. And like runlifteat says, most people run/walk when it comes to intense trail races, which is my plan.

  • furmickc
    furmickc Posts: 43 Member
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    Good luck! I just did my first 50K and it was awesome! I have been bit by the ultra bug.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
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    ktfranke wrote: »
    RUN_LIFT_EAT wrote: »
    Those kind of races have A LOT of walking strategically planned throughout the course. The elite racers will tell you that there's a ratio of walk:run that you'll want to focus on so you can make it to the finish. Good luck!

    Haha! I didn't go from couch to 6 miles! Don't worry everyone, I'm going about this smart, and I won't stress my body out too much ;) The app has you put in what level of runner you are before you get started with the plan! And I've already been a runner, ("I've run a half before,") for years. And like runlifteat says, most people run/walk when it comes to intense trail races, which is my plan.

    To be fair you gave no indication of how much running you are actually doing and several people asked what your average mileage is right now with no answer. "I've run a half before" is pretty vague. I could mean you ran one last week, or 10 years ago.
  • ktfranke
    ktfranke Posts: 217 Member
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    To be fair you gave no indication of how much running you are actually doing and several people asked what your average mileage is right now with no answer. "I've run a half before" is pretty vague. I could mean you ran one last week, or 10 years ago. [/quote]

    That's true, I should try to be more specific! When I started training I was already able to run 3-4 miles on a given day. So when I started the app, it had me start out with that as my base.
  • blues4miles
    blues4miles Posts: 1,481 Member
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    ktfranke wrote: »
    RUN_LIFT_EAT wrote: »
    Those kind of races have A LOT of walking strategically planned throughout the course. The elite racers will tell you that there's a ratio of walk:run that you'll want to focus on so you can make it to the finish. Good luck!

    Haha! I didn't go from couch to 6 miles! Don't worry everyone, I'm going about this smart, and I won't stress my body out too much ;) The app has you put in what level of runner you are before you get started with the plan! And I've already been a runner, ("I've run a half before,") for years. And like runlifteat says, most people run/walk when it comes to intense trail races, which is my plan.

    Also keep not answering what your current weekly mileage is. I mean if you ran a half two years ago but are currently running 10 miles or less a week it could be a problem...

    ...but if you are interested in injury from overtraining or completely bonking and feeling like crap on your trail race...well...

    I think running is a lot like a calorie deficit. Some people go from eating 3k calories a day to some <1200 VLCD and they feel like crap and can't sustain it and quit two weeks later. So can someone go from not enough miles to training for a 30k? Sure. Will that be a habit they maintain consistently and keep up long term? Hmm.

  • ktfranke
    ktfranke Posts: 217 Member
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    I see what you're saying! I'll definitely be listening to my body, and make sure I increase my long runs with the proper ratio. I certainly don't want to blaze ahead without being prepared!

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