Ultra Marathons

[andoverxc]

Does any body here compete in any ultra marathons? If so, do you have any advise or training tips?

[TI83]

no, but i plan to start training for chicago (marathon) right after my senior year of track is over. i figure two weeks off then start my eighteen week higdon program and i'll be good to go. by the way, i'm a junior now and i'll be eighteen by the time i run chicago and hopefully i'll qualify for boston on my first try :D .

[andoverxc]

sweet, I'm a junior too and I'm thinking of training for the Twin Cities marathon after my Senior year like wise (I'm not brave enough to try for Boston). I was just curious about the 50 mile plus ultra's because i read a book about a guy who does 'em and it interested me.

[TI83]

ya, you really need to be hardcore to do those...sounds like fun though

[andoverxc]

yup, hopefully i got what it takes mentally and physically. The mental part sounds sort of creepy, some people fall asleep while they are running.

[MoMo]

i've done marathons but no ultras.

just be sure you get plenty of solid preparation in, and learn everything you can about the proper way to hydrate during a race that long.

[KCTrack]

One of my training partners was the US Masters Champion for hte 50K one year...I personally have no interest but he has some great stories...his biggest thing was to be consistent and know pacing...it is the one mantra he forces down my throat but it is starting to pay off...he is going to Isreal tomorrow but on his return we begin training for the Marine Corp. Marathon with big goals...MoMo I plan on meeting you there...

[andoverxc]

is your buddy on dye? if not, could you possibly PM me his e-mail or something? cause i honestly have no idea were to even begin for training.

[luv2run]

I kind of want to do a marathon for fun, but I'm afraid of cutting into training time for the 5k. Also, it seems like the years of training at 80-120 miles/week for ultras would be too much to cope with, your body might break down and you'd spend the last 1/4 of your life unable to run.

[MoMo]

He is going to Isreal tomorrow but on his return we begin training for the Marine Corp. Marathon with big goals...MoMo I plan on meeting you there...

KC, one of your "big goals" is meeting me? HAHAHAHAHAHA.

Seriously, I'd love to meet you when you're here. Wish I could be doing the MCM as well, but am still slowed by last year's leg injury.

[jaguar]

I have a friend who does ultras and he talks about eating ham sandwiches and potato chips at the pitstops!!!!!!!!!! He says you get really strange cravings when you're running for that long. I figure when I can no longer break my PRs I will move to the ultras and run for "distance."