I ran my first 50 km run! (31 miles)

My First 50 Km Run – Sunday 10 June 2018 - Recap

I ran my first marathon in August, and once I'd recovered, in December I decided this was my next *thing*, and I’ve been training for my 50 for 6 months. I have a spreadsheet I’d made with a Strava Premium McMillan marathon training plan in it, and the 50 km Ultramarathon training plan from the book, “Relentless Forward Progress”, and after keeping my 30 km runs up for a few months, I basically followed the distance of the training plan long runs each week, while running 4-5 times a week guided by what my body could cope with. Every day I would enter what I’d done, and tweak what I would plan to do.

I’d first thought I’d do the Canberra Marathon Festival 50 km event in April, but travel and accommodation were going to be too expensive, plus, events are stressful, so I decided I’d keep it simple: If I want to do 50 km, do 50 km. I don’t need to pay to run – just do it around home.

I chose this weekend, the long weekend in June, since I’d have more days to choose from if the weather was bad, plus I could have time for recovery. Sunday was perfect. 5-15 Celsius (41-59F).

1-10 km (1-6 miles)
My usual morning run in the dark route. I saw W and N who both knew what I was up to, and wished me luck. DK tooted her horn at me.

I made sure throughout the run to only run at a pace that let me breathe easy. Early on, I had to keep slowing down, because I knew I’d need that energy later.

10-25 km (6-15.5 miles)
Uphill to the next town, then back down again. Saw G, which was nice. The fog was beautiful in the dawn sunlight.

25-40 km (15.5 – 25 miles)
More hills. C pulled up next to me at 30 km, and I was happy to report I was feeling alright. I did start getting slower gradually from there. Around 38 km my left lower back was starting to hurt and I could tell I was tensing up. It helped if I stretched my arms up and out.

Fuel: I ate yoghurt and a big muesli bar before I set out, and on the run I had 2 other cereal bars, a cinnamon donut, and 2 energy gels with caffeine.

Loo stops were at 9, 18, 25, and 39 km. Didn’t “need” them all, but I’d planned the route to go near the loos in case I did need them, and then I used them so I was comfortable the whole time.

40-50 km (25-31 miles)
Mostly flat. My body was running alright, if slowly, but it was starting to complain in places. Had arranged for F to run with me for the last section. We chatted, and it helped distract me from the sore back. It was nice to have someone with me when I passed the 42.2 km marathon mark, and enter into the “uncharted waters of Ultra territory”, as F put it. Then it was a painfully slow countdown jog to the finish. I’d called my husband to meet me, and little did I know, my dear friend DB had arranged to be there too, with BB, AB, and G, and bunches of balloons. My own personal finish line and cheer squad!


Too long; didn’t read?: Ran 50 km! Achieved my 2018 goal! Ran all the way, which was the cherry on top! Did it in 6 hours as I’d hoped! I have awesome friends.


Fun Stats:
My 40th run of 20 km or over.
12 month streak of running a HM or more per month.


Totally ecstatic and sorry not sorry for the brag.

Just thought some other runners might be interested in reading a 50 km run recap.