Ultrarunning vs. Triathlon
548
Member
314 days
jhudalla posted 17 weeks ago.
Wow... gives me chills just to read it. I'm doing my first IM next summer.... after that, I'm taking aim at a 100k.
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
4949
Member
1727 days
beads1985 posted 17 weeks ago.
Having done the IM and a 50 miler I couldn't agree more with your comparisons.
You are dead on with the right pair of shoes.
I hurt all over but I wore the same shoes and socks thru the whole 50 miles,
and did not get a blister. I am a die-hard Asics fan.
I might see how they fare at Umsted in the Spring.
Nothing to it, but to do it
1192
Member
348 days
TriSooner posted 17 weeks ago.
TRIATHLON:
The food is engineered.
Shaving is encouraged.
The finish chute is a rock concert with laser light shows, an Emcee, and fog machines.
You get an Ironman t-shirt if you finish.
ULTRAMARATHON:
The food is "real" (eg, brownies, cookies, breakfast tacos, casseroles).
Shaving is not the norm.
The finish 'chute' is likely to be a relatively deserted, remote high school track with just a few dozen people just before the cut-off.
You may get a huge belt buckle if you finish.
Having done each (though I'll never do a road 50k again), I noticed distinct differences. Ultras are distinctly low-tech with a focus on funtion over form. Could you imagine showing up at an ultra and talking about much you paid for your shoes; what your VO2max, LT, or resting HR is? Or being concerend (at an Ultra) about how you look vs. how functional the clothes are? (No ones cares how dorky they may look with gaitors. Rocks in shoes suck.)
2952
Member
1369 days
Anton posted 16 weeks ago.
Nice Star..great comparisons. Here is a cool list:
http://www.ultrunr.com/youknow.html
Truth be known, I do IM's because...they're great training for Ultras.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
773
Member
1413 days
Star posted 16 weeks ago.
Well, I almost hate to say this...but IM is going to seem like a cake walk compared to what I just did. And the IM is not easy. Oh wait a sec...I DO recall Anton writing that at one point. NOW I get it!
Now I know that come next summer when I'm dying on the long-@$$ rides and runs in the hot hot Florida heat I'll have forgotten how painful Vermont was...I mean, I've already said that I could do the 100K again. Seriously. There must be something wrong with us :)
Beads: Definitely wear cushy road shoes at Umstead.
Trisooner: Yeah, you can't talk about gear, stretching or nutrition with these ultra guys...they either have no idea what you're talking about or don't really care.
"I'm more fun than an iPod!"
My blog: http://star.trifuel.net
2952
Member
1369 days
Anton posted 16 weeks ago.
I remember my "Ah-Ha!" moment. By the time I got to my first IM, I already had eight 50 milers, a couple of 100k's and a fat ass 24 hour event under my belt...Running out of T2 at that first IM....I thought to myself, "I've only got 26 miles to go...But I have enough time left (9:30) to run a Fifty Miler!" Training for IM race day can be tougher than for Ultras just due to time management but race day itself? Not so much.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
773
Member
1413 days
Star posted 16 weeks ago.
My running buddy has also done an IM and we talked many times about the difference in *training* for Ultra vs. IM:
The training for IM is a killer between swimming, biking, running and weights. I usually get so burned out from training six days a week. But race day is a breeze...and you can enjoy the day (well, for people like me how go slow enough to do so!).
Ultra is running, running and more running, then (if you're me) swim and bike once a week. But I also take walk-days and more days off altogether. The long run days (7 hours) were a killer in the heat, but paled in comparison to the trials and tribulations of race day!
"I'm more fun than an iPod!"
My blog: http://star.trifuel.net
After finishing Vermont I realized the following comparison of tri to ultra. Please feel free to add your two cents:
TRIATHLON:
Called a “race”
Age groupers are highly competitive with each other
An individual sport
Use of heart rate monitors
Speed is the key
Your bike’s tires may explode
You pay big bucks for a name (i.e. “Ironman”)
Nothing compares to the physique of a fit triathlete
You ride a bike for half the race
Portions of the race may be called off for weather
The gear is outrageously expensive
It only takes 6-7 hours to ride 112 miles
Walking is frowned upon
You try to look your best (Running skirts look very cute!)
The highs are very high and the lows are moderate
The cutoff is before night falls
The finish-line grandstands cheer as the announcer calls your name while “Cele-brate good times (come, on!)” plays in the background
ULTRAMARATHON:
Called and endurance “run”
Athletes are there for the experience
A team of runner, crew and trail partners
What’s a heart rate monitor???
You can run 18 min/miles and finish before the cutoff
Your blisters may explode!
You pay a few bucks to inflict hours of torture on yourself
“Stored energy” is treasured
You are on your feet the entire race (unless you crawl!)
The run goes on through sun, heat, humidity, lightning, downpours, snow and hail
The gear is focused on having the right pair(s) of shoes
It takes up to 30 hours to run 100 miles
Walking is a must
You look like a homeless person: dirty, stinky and disheveled
The highs are moderate and the lows are rock bottom
The fun begins when night falls
The finish-line is a quiet end to a personal journey
"I'm more fun than an iPod!"
My blog: http://star.trifuel.net