Question for all the ultra runners and even marathon runners out there. I have signed up for a marathon on May 1st and I have always wanted to do an ultra. I just found one that is in my hometown 4 weeks after the marathon. It is a 50k trail run. I have been progressing in my marathon training and my question is 2 parts.
1) Is 4 weeks enough time between the two if I am going to push the pace in the marathon, but don't really care to much about the 50k and am just doing it for fun?
2) Is the extra 5 miles for the 50K enough that I should change my marathon training program? I have three 20 mile runs with a 10 miler the day before in my current program and am curious if I will need to change the distance at all.
Thanks for the input.
Oh that's perfect! The
Oh that's perfect! The marathon as you're last long run before the 50k! No, you really don't need to change the distances in your Marathon program at all. Since you'll be doing the 50K for fun, marathon training is all you need. If the 50K is on trails, do make sure you get in time running on trails so your body has time to adapt. I always do a mix of road and trail to keep my bases covered. Do your homework on the 50k. Course type, elevation gain...look at the finishing times, that sort of thing. I've seen folks show up for absolutely brutal 50k's ( huge hills, rocky) on a marathon training base and just die. ( including me!) If after you do your homework you feel you need to pump it up, try and get in a few extra miles on your 20 milers. Get some walking in too. In most Ultras folks walk the up hills and run the downs and flats. Make sure you get in running down hill on trails if you're facing a hilly course. Your fueling for the 50k will be different. Drink early and often (but not too much as you'll be going slower) and consume just a bit more calories early on.
If however you were going to try and really spank the 50k you'd want high milage and course specific work. Doing 50k's for fun, without concern for time is just too much fun. I've turned in my best 50k times on days like that.
Is this your first marathon?
Is this your first marathon? Do you know how you recover?
I agree with Anton, assuming that after you "push the pace" in your marathon you are looking forward to running again after it, and will be feeling up to a 50k that soon after.
once you start running
once you start running trails, remember to go back to the road every once in a while before the marathon so they are used to the pounding. ;)
After my previous marathons,
After my previous marathons, it takes about 1/2 a week to get my legs back to feeling normal and I don't run until about a week after.
The course is on trails, but it is fairly flat and the trail surface is surprisingly smooth (I have previously most of the trails the race is on).
What would the time between the marathon and the Ultra look like. I have never run two marathons this close together, but I think this will be my last chance for an Ultra for a while as my wife is having another baby in mid-summer.
I was thinking about taking the first week off. Starting up light running for the 2nd week (3-5 miles/day during the week) with some longer weekend runs (7-10 mile). Increasing week mileage in the 3rd week to about 4-6 miles/day and long run mileage up to about 13-14 miles on one of the days, then tapering back down in the forth week. Does this sound about right?
Woah. 13-14 miles on your
Woah. 13-14 miles on your long day?? That's my Half-Mary plan. I might be misreading your post.
Amphibious Triton
[quote=Amphibious Triton]Woah. 13-14 miles on your long day?? That's my Half-Mary plan. I might be misreading your post.[/quote]
I meant that to be the longest run in the four weeks between the Marathon and Ultra.
I think that plan will work.
I think that plan will work. I'd get out the week after the mary for a few walks and maybe a little spin on the bike just to freshen up the legs...and I mean little.
Really...the only way to know what you're capable of is to go do it. It'll be a fun adventure!
All the best and super congrats on the baby!
Iron Dan wrote:Amphibious
[quote=Iron Dan][quote=Amphibious Triton]Woah. 13-14 miles on your long day?? That's my Half-Mary plan. I might be misreading your post.[/quote]
I meant that to be the longest run in the four weeks between the Marathon and Ultra. [/quote]
Ahh. You Ultrarunners are like another species. I feel like I'm reading another language. :) Good luck.