I do recall someone talking about the Dark Side...but I don't remember anyone warning me about pushers! *Psst...Hey buddy...how about an Ultra??* But, wait, if I'm going to do a 50k, and Anton and Beads are going to do a 50- miler...then I think the rest of you need to step up! :D

Ok, this UR thing is nutty! I woke up at 4:00am this morning to run in the woods in the complete darkness with complete strangers! What the...? I've never been up that early to run for fun...and in the woods!

Ok, actually, it was pretty cool...6 of us headed out for the warm-up 5-mile loop. Luckily a nice guy gave me a flashlight, 'cause I don't have any of that kind of gear of my own quite yet. Life is different in the wee small hours of the morning (when you're coherent enough to appreciate it). After that loop, I hooked up with another group (because the first was going another 15!) and ran a 7.7-mile loop. I was pretty tired when I got to the opening, and they headed out for another loop. Pretty cool...

You guys are a baaaad influence on me. Something is happening.

oh, but of course! I have to have a scape goat LOL!

I spent the afternoon watching Badwater Youtube flicks. Amazing and VERY inspirational. Anyone given that a thought? :-) Na, I don't think I'd run to work, then they'd REALLY think I was crazy. But then again..... :-)

I bought the Running on the Sun video about the Badwater and watched it with my husband. He actually said, "You're not doing that!" Uhh, as if.... :rolleyes: Unfortunately he knows me too well. Anyway, I love the psychology in that movie.

See, this is what I'm talking about with the cyclist/triathlete attitude:

I was at the park this morning for a 25-mile ride and a 6-mile run (working on endurance, you know). On my third bike loop, I get passed by a fast biker. I'm just enjoying my music and keeping my heart rate low...so good for him. I make it back to my car and change into my running clothes, and around two miles into my grass run, the guy bolts by me on foot. I can tell my heart rate is sky-high because its like 95 degrees with 90% humidity today...so I'm going slow. He passes and doesn't say a word, though we're the only ones out there. I make it back to my car and start stretching when he comes in. We're literally 10 feet from each other and he turns his back toward me while he does whatever and I stretch. Again, we're the only ones in the parking lot. Finally I say, "That breeze feels so good...its sooo hot out there!" He mumbles "uh-huh" and turns his back to me again.

I don't get this kind of attitude. I mean, I'm not his competition...I'm neither male nor in his age group. He is clearly faster than me. So what the...? I just shake my head at those kind of people and go on my merry way. He can take his "26.2" sticker and ........... :D

Jerks are everywhere Star...sorry.
Of all the ultrarunners I've met...hundreds,maybe...I can think of only a few that had an attitude. I say "Had" because they came...they raced ultras for a few years...they won a few..they disappeared. Just like a lot of jerky tri-heads I've met. A long career in endurance sports is the best revenge.

Thanks, guys. I just wonder sometimes what's going on in people's lives that make them act like they do. Especially when they have the ability and means to do triathlon...shouldn't they be happy and loving life and appreciative? Well, I've come a long way in that department myself. I also realize that there are shy people out there, and that can sometimes make them look aloof. Anyway....thanks for listening!

PS: I like the poopy-pants analogy, Beads :)

Ummm, I don't think my husband realizes that I'm actually signed up for the 50K in Oct....Could be a surprize that morning when I get up earlier than usual! He also has some, ah-hem, interesting comments about me meeting the running group at 5:30AM :)

I think we can all blame (and thank) Anton :)

Oh, and I made Mike promise he'd pace me if I ever do 50mi or longer... I don't think he believes he made the promise, but I will still hold him to it ;) He's a whiner when it comes to blisters and such, so I don't know if ultras will ever hold his attention like they do mine.

woah there... I never said anything about giving up the sbr... just adding the rrr ;) Just in case you were thinking you'd get me to sell my shiny tri bike ;)

Ok, Anton, when you say I can substitute a long run with a long bike (for the back-to-back long runs)...how long were you talking? Yesterday I rode a hilly 35 miles and today ran 13 trail miles. I was wondering if the long ride should be longer...What are your thoughts?

Good advice, thank you Anton :) I will do more running than biking, but I had to take the opportunity to get back in the hills! It does make sense to run first. I think next weekend will be a big running weekend....I'll probably skip the bike.

Also, the 50k is October 13th...when should my last long run be, and how long?

Uh coach :D how long should my longest run be? Or should I go by time?

heehee...you're the closest thing to an Ultra coach I've got right now ;) I'm doing the Croom 50k here in Brooksville....I think you said you had some friends do that one.

I'm always confused about training for mileage vs. time...training for time never made sense to me....especially since I'm pretty slow. Anyway, I'll plan to build up to a 20 mile one day and a 10 mile the next...sounds like a plan. I'm confident that I can do the distance, since it's only a 50k.

Oh yeah, does your fueling change for Ultras as compared to tri? I pretty much do liquid fueling for tris, except that I add 2 Hammer bars on the bike portion for the IM. Am I going to need to train my body for solid food as I get into running over 50k?

Hmmm, interesting. Because I find that when I run, and more so in the IM marathon, I want very little to eat....especially after mile 13 or so. I'm sure that UR is very different, and I'll have to figure it out as the distances get longer. But I can almost bet you that I won't be eating pizza along the way :p

Pringles...manna from heaven in an ultra...Do I eat them any other time? No! Did a 50k once where they had haggis at an aid station (I @#*& you not) and I rolled in and went "OH my Gawd! Haggis!"
It tasted so good...nice and salty...you'd be surprised what you might eat...

Ok, the thought of haggis makes me want to puke! Being a veggie, I'd rather die than eat haggis. I keep thinking of that David Letterman show where the guy eats a whole bowl full of haggis....ewwww! My stomach is turning.... Thanks Anton!

Finish time at an ultra...for most folks ,especially a first time, is not about speed.
Much also depends on the course...I've done road 50k's in 5:10 finishing mid pack.
I've done some trail 50k's that take the winners 5:10! with a mid pack finish at about 6:30-7:00.
Running on trails is slower for the average runner but you can get faster by running trails more...practice...I ran 17 yesterday, first 8 on a flat dirt road at 9:50 pace (my long run pace.) The next 6 on a rolling trail and my pace dropped to 11:00. Still within my long run pace ballpark but 1:10 slower per mile at about the same RPE.
Walking hills in an ultra goes a long way in saving gas...especially if you work at your walking...I can walk up hill faster than many can run it...I passed folks at IMLP this year on hills who were "running." It's comperable to biking up hill..standing up on the cranks gets you up faster but has a huge energy expendature...spinning up is a little slower but uses less energy... and conservation on energy is what ultras...especially your first one is about.
Look at the results of last years Croom and see where a 6:30 finish would put you...at the pace you were going today....you'd be right around there.

Umstead is on my radar...I know at least 10 folks who have done it...it has the rep of being a great first time 100 miler...
Hummmm....

Near Releigh, North Carolina...Wow! only 25 slots left...word has gotten out that it's an easy 100. It used to never fill.
There are plenty of other hundreds and of course 24 hour races where the diligent ultrarunner can break 100 miles.

If you want a 50 miler race in January in CA, check out the Catalina Avalon Island 50 miler. Supposed to be great. I'm still playing with the idea of doing a 50k Dec 3rd and then that one...

Cool Jbird...and you got it right...walk the uphills, run the downs and flats...unless you are a minor god!

Scope out the courses as best you can before hand, even if it's just talking to EXPERIENCED ultra runners.
I've done 50k's (Like the Catoctin 50k) which are harder than many 50 milers because of terrain. Just so you know how far in you're jumpin' !