Was just looking for some insight in prepping for an Ultra (50 miles).
How important is it to get in 3+ hour runs? Looking at some training plans, the mileage is right in line with what I do anyways, my preps are usually high mileage over the 7 days of the week instead of the pick spikes on the weekend.
So instead of running, 2 hours on Saturday, 5 hours on Sunday (for example). I would just do 4 1:45 runs over the course of the weekend.
I'm coming from IM training, so I've got big volume in the bank and know that my engine can carry me over 50 miles. Just unsure on the "importance" of getting in those BIG runs. Thanks, Vinny
Being totally on your feet
Being totally on your feet for 9, 10, 11 hours is a whole new ball game. Personally, I feel you can get through a 50 just fine on just plain ol Marathon training. Coming from IM training you should be fine. Your fitness level will be high, but you have to prepare for the pounding of being on your feet. Hence the back to back sessions. They do help, but I don't think you have to be doing them all the time. When I started running 50's (1996) there were few to no 50 mile training plans out there. You ran a marathon program and made sure to get in some back to back long workouts. I do try to shoot for a few weeks of 50 miles of running before I start my taper. Those higher milage weeks do seem to help me with recovery. All of that said, you, really don't know what will work for you at that distance until you've gone through it. How you might react to a race of that distance really depends on the individual. Some folks train like mad and have a horrible time. Others, are low milage runners and do just fine.
Which Ultra? A lot depends
Which Ultra? A lot depends on what type of terrain you will be facing as well. I did Stonecat 50 miler 2 years ago, and truth be told it is fairly flat. I did it in a little over 9 hours and the long back to back runs were crucial in being comfortable on your feet for that long. That being said you know you have the base and the mental fortitude to handle the amount of time it will take to finish. At Stonecat the whole "walk the hills, run the downhills" ultra philosophy really doesn't apply because the course is rolling to flat (in ultra terms). I have done 4 ultras and I am going to take a shot at a hundred miler early next season and I have found that I can get by on typical IM type mileage. For the 50 my biggest week was 56 miles (continued to swim/bike) and I felt it was adequate to have me ready. In my opinion it is far more important to have a solid base to avoid injuries and run every possible run on trails. It is a whole different ballgame in the woods. I did zero trail runs leading up to a 50K at the end of last year and got so frustrated during the race with my footing and how many times I rolled my ankle.
Stonecat it is.. Heard it
Stonecat it is.. Heard it was a mellow Ultra, so not too worried. I'll be doing Baystate a few weeks before hand, so I figured I would have the mileage. I was just scanning the different types of plans out there, and notice some that had some 4-6hr "runs". I figure it I put in some quick hikes, at a good clip (not running pace by any means), I should get in some trail time to deal with the terrain.