I usually run in road shoes unless the trails are muddy or rocky. Just bought a pair of Asics Trail Attack today. I'll use them tomorrow and get back to you...Have a 50k in two weeks and plan on using them for that.
I've tried North Face Arnuva...used those for one race and never again. Brooks Cascadia were too stiff for me. Mary Lou swears by her Brooks Adrenaline ASR...on her second pair. A number of the hard core UR runners around here swear by Solomon.
Trail shoes are like saddles...you may go through several before you find one that fits.

Star...just came back in from a trail run in my new Trail Attacks.
Nice shoe. Seem to have more cushion than the average trail shoe. Shed mud real well and it's REAL muddy here now in many places. Good traction on steep hills. Did a few miles on the road too felt ok...not the road shoe cushion that you might be used to, but not bad. I'm pleased.

Ok, Ultra pros...my clock is ticking: three weeks til Umstead! YIKES! Actually, I feel confident that I am well-prepared for the 50-miler. I've begun the taper, but my JFK training plan (thanks Anton!) says to run a 26-miler this weekend. Any thoughts on that? I personally think it sounds like way too much mileage at this point, and would prefer to shoot for an easy 15 on Saturday. But you guys are the experts. Any advice? Thank you :)

Well, unfortunately I don't have the time to run the full distance on Saturday. Would splitting it up between Sat and Sun be a decent subsitute?

Well Anton, (maybe) much to your dismay, I ran two 30+ mile runs = 6+ hours (three counting the official 50K) in the course of my training over the past few months. Plus I did several back-2-back runs. So, I'm feeling pretty confident. The menal training on those runs were well worth the effort....especially since one of those was pretty much solo! I guess being an ultravirgin pushed me to go a little further to be condifent :)

You on the other hand, have WAY much more experience than I, and will kill the 24-hour race!

Well Anton, I did 25-miles over three days...not exactly on target, but it was the best I could do. (It was actually the real first time-issue I've had in during this training!). And because of your encouragement and knowledge (and that of people like yourself) I feel ready to take on 50 miles! Thank you for all of your advice and input :) I hope we can meet at an ultra some day...

24-hours...well, better you than me! haha Which one is it again? I doubt that it kills you, and I'm sure it will be tough. So, do you wear your kilt for an event of that length??

We'll see how "fun" it is on race day :) But I get what you're saying. I think it will be an new experience.

You are running from a more personal inspiration, and because of that you'll do what you need to do in Virginia....

I had planned on breaking a hundred but that was several months ago...It's taken longer than expected to rehab my JFK sprain...so I'm a tad short milage wise. If I can get through 50 miles in training this coming weekend I think I'll be alright.
24 hour race goals:
1) keep moving for 24 hours.
2) make 100 miles.
Plan "B" is 80 miles.

Well, let me speak for myself. If *I* can do it (and I know that I can), then just about anyone can do it. What I'm realizing is that the key is RFP...Rentless Forward Progress, right Anton? I'm no pro...but what I've leaned, especially during the long runs over the past few months, is that the mental game is a BIG part of it. I hope I have enough cards in my mental game deck to keep my body moving forward :)

My goals for the 50-miler are:
1. Don't die (that's always #!1)
2. Finish within the 30-hour cutoff (there's also a 100-mile option, and we all get the same amount of time to finish)
3. Experience the race...be present and aware (as much as that's going to hurt!!)

Star...you have trained well and with some great long runs...you'll finish.
I'm kind of floored that the cut off for the 50 is 30 hours? Most are 12 to 14 hour cutoffs...I've known folks who have literally walked 50 milers in under 14. With 30 hours, you could take naps!
Anyway...the mental game really kicks in over 50k and I suspect you've got a good handle on that by now.
You're right...RFP,RFP baby...

Yeah, I asked the RD about the cut-off and he said it was the same as the 100. But I think that will really lower the pressure that day. I'm sure it won't take me THAT long...that'd be like 3mph, right? Anyway, I'm sure the mental game is going to be tough...especially after 50K...since I haven't been there before. Oughta be interesting...at least I have one friend doing the 50, and a couple of others running the 100 with pacers. So I'll know people out there. Its almost a week away!!!!

Amazing and congratulations. Very nice write up. I enjoyed reading it. Sounds like you will be enjoying some more ultras.

+1 - agreed!!

trail running is the only way to run. Once I started running trails I absolutely hate long runs on roads, it's just too boring. Good luck!

Kevin: I run trails or grass for anything over 6 miles. It has made such a big difference this last year. I can't believe I waited so long to run trails!!!

Anton: Vermont it is. There are around 20 FUR's going for the 100M or 100K, so it should be fun. And I'm sure I'll be eating B&J before AND after the race! I'm going for the 100K. I'm not ready to take on the full 100 quite yet. Besides, I think my husband would leave me if i told him I was going to run 100! We'll have to work up to that :) For now, I'm going to hit the stairs and parking garages...training for hills in Florida is tough. Will you be there???

First: Good luck in your classes...and remember that running makes for a great study-break :)

Second: Have you or any of your cronies been to Vermont? If so, what advice or insight can you offer?

Yikes! Lets get that under control...
Injinji socks are good and so is the vasaline...
Where are the blisters?
How old are the shoes?
Have you tried a second sock?
Just got off the phone with a guy I know who swears by womens ankle high nylons. (He said BTW that having done Umstead you should do ok at Vermont 100K)
Try a blister shield and yes...duct tape.
Callouses can be a good thing. You're running Ultras now...your feet are going to look like hell.
I've been ALL over this since being forced out of my 24 hour run by blisters...I've tried the nylons and greased up for my last long runs...seems to work.
Here's a good piece from Runners World...various methods...find what works...
www.runnersworld.com go to injury prevention. The article you want is: Banishing Blisters
(A direct link to the article wouldn't work)
I'll continue to ask around and get back to you...

Yes...woman's nylons..ankle high. XL for me. Luckily, I don't have Hobbit feet. A little rubbing but I'm greasing good. Tape up the problem area, before the race and soak it off after. It's been known to happen that people pull off the tape and the skin comes with it! YIKES!
Shoes are a problem as your foot changes so much during an ultra... have an extra pair handy. Some folks have been known to cut holes in them to relieve pressure.

You can't find a good running sandal in this country unfortunately...A number of runners at last years Double and Triple IM's (Germans, Swiss, Brits) wore running sandals and ankle highs for the run portion...but that's on the road...trail running in sandals would be quite problematic because of rocks stones and such...For the ankle highs, you'd have to forgo the toe socks...

But Anton, I could wear gaiters with my sandals and make a real fashion statement :)

We miss you Kylie....

Well...it's not like you're dipping your feet in goo! ;) Just a thin layer. Some folks use body glide to good effect...others Blister Shield. Find what works! It's not too goopy with the Vasaline...you just have to find an acceptable level for you.

I agree..I've never changed shoes for a 50. I mean come on...it's only a 50 miler!;)
Over that...for some people, funny things start happening to your feet. Shoe options are just that...options. I'm a minimalist and don't change, but some folks feel it's always a good idea to have a back up pair if possible. (ie. you'll have access to them)
I know folks who change shoes on a regular basis, like every 6 hours and others who run 100+ miles in the same old. Ultras really are the kind of event where you have to find what works for you.

Ok, I may have a new lease on life..or at least on my poor feet. After buying and reading (in two days!) "Fixing Your Feet," and talking with a friend, I tried something new. I used "New Skin" (a liquid bandage) and Gold Bond Powder with my Injinji toe socks, and after one 4.5-hour run and one 2-hour run...had NO blisters to speak of! Yippee! The New Skin seems to peel off easily after the run, which I guess means I'll need to reapply it during the 100K at some point. But hot dog...I'm excited about (hopefully) solving that problem!

Give it a try Anton..I hope it works for you too....and I hope it keeps working for me :) Oh, and btw: I applied three layers to each problem area.

On another note, I read something interesting in the FYF book: it stated that foot and leg swelling is partially cause by too few electrolytes in your system. Does that make sense? It seems that having TOO MUCH sodium especially would lead to swelling. Any thoughts?

Hey Anton: how'd the New Skin work for you?

Also, I need your expertise: my 100K is 5 weeks away (YIKES!!!). I would like to get in a 40-mile run before, but not so sure I'll have the time. What's your advice on hitting 40?