Can I do an Ultra?

chris85

Hi Folks,

Dont often post in this forum. I have running the last few years and has helped shave a lot of weight off. I have done a few half marathons and nothing spectacular for times being under 2 hours so I am ok with that. I would be doing DCM 2016 but I am getting married in September and will be away on Honeymoon so September is a write off (bar a few sneaky runs I will get in while away).

I have it in my head I want to run an Ultra. I like a long term goal and a vision to push on my running. My plan would be to do the Connemarathon Ultra Event next April and aim to get a Marathon in around Feb also as a milestone. This would mean starting from October having 4 months to train up to a full and push on to an Ultra after.

Am I being too ambitious? I think with hard work and commitment I can do this and have enough time to do so if I work hard. However I have my own view and interested to hear other peoples views?

Of course you can do an ultra...as in the human body is physically capable of it. The question is can you do one in a time that will be acceptable to you, will you make all cut off times, will you do it to the best of your ability, will you be reduced to walking. I'm no coach but I would say jumping from a half to an ultra is far too great, it's a completely different discipline, you can get through a half without water, without food, with just hammering it out for a few miles. An ultra is totally different. I'd say defer all thought of an ultra until after you complete a marathon anyway. And they are vastly different to half marathons, as you will find out. I don't want to put you off, I'm not saying they are "worse"...they're just not really comparable IMO.

Ososlo

Yes I think you could do it if you're willing to put in the work and are sensible with the build up. You seem to have a good solid base from which to work. What's your weekly mileage average at the moment?

Just to give my newbie experience:

I started thinking about my first Ultra last autumn. I started building the long run from 15 miles last October to marathon distance in December. I did a marathon training race in January, and built up to a 30 mile long run in February. The first target race was Conn 39.3 in April, but I couldn't do it in the end so did a 53k in late April instead in Longwood, and I had no problems. I went on to run 100 miles in Belfast 24hour race in June.

For me, the key to getting there in one piece and feeling confident, was building up very gradually to where 60 mile weeks were the norm.
You could probably do it with less mileage, others more experienced can advise you there.
(I was running since 2012, did one marathon in 2013, running consistently ever since).

I would echo the above post about looking at cut off time for Conn, and seeing if after the marathon you do, you're in good shape to feel confident of getting over the line in good time without too much pressure. Go into the training with an open mind, and be prepared to defer to an ultra later in the year if you don't feel ready. There are plenty of good races out there.

BTW, I'd really recommend Longford 53k Canal Ultra as a brilliant first one to target as it's flat and in loops, so logistically it's very easy for access to your provisions etc. Good luck!

TFBubendorfer

chris85 wrote: »

My plan would be to do the Connemarathon Ultra Event next April and aim to get a Marathon in around Feb also as a milestone. This would mean starting from October having 4 months to train up to a full and push on to an Ultra after.

Am I being too ambitious? I think with hard work and commitment I can do this and have enough time to do so if I work hard. However I have my own view and interested to hear other peoples views?

It is certainly doable, though I would definitely advice to run a marathon first before committing to an ultra. I know how I felt when I finished my first marathon and the idea of another 13 miles would not have appealed at the time.

Djoucer

Anyone can do an ultra.

Commit to the training, time on the feet and you'll be grand. Just listen to your body.

Often the hardest part for ultras is getting to the start line given those new to it tend to push too hard.

Just don't call a 53km race an ultra. That's a cool down after a marathon.

Ososlo

Djoucer wrote: »

Just don't call a 53km race an ultra. That's a cool down after a marathon.

I thought anything over a marathon was officially an ultra? That's what it was advertised as?

Utdfan20titles

Is the dublin marathon not an ultra? I taught the 10k marathon in June was the main one

Djoucer

Ososlo wrote: »

I thought anything over a marathon was officially an ultra? That's what it was advertised as?

It is. Was joking given how long ultras can be.

ArtieFufkin

Ultras can be as much about having the right attitude as they are about being race fit.

If you can start an ultra knowing that you are definitely going to finish then you will do well. Therefore I would recommend at least one or two marathons before you start. Take your pace from the marathons and adjust your ultra pace accordingly.

From then on it's a case of being stubborn, refusing to give up and finding out what nutrition (if any) you can take.

chris85

Thanks for the advice guys. My attitude is good and I am doing this as a I want to push myself and see how far I can go. I can go out and run a half or a 10km and keep fit improving with times or I can push myself to something which my body is not currently prepared for. I could train for 2-3 months and do a marathon (which I hope to do 2 before the Ultra) but for me beyond a marathon is partly in the head and attitude and I want to test body and mind for this one.

I know in my mind i could run a marathon with the appropriate training but I do not know about an Ultra but the greatest satisfaction comes from finishing something which may seem unlikely or improbable at a certain points along the way.

Enduro

chris85 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice guys. My attitude is good and I am doing this as a I want to push myself and see how far I can go. I can go out and run a half or a 10km and keep fit improving with times or I can push myself to something which my body is not currently prepared for. I could train for 2-3 months and do a marathon (which I hope to do 2 before the Ultra) but for me beyond a marathon is partly in the head and attitude and I want to test body and mind for this one.

I know in my mind i could run a marathon with the appropriate training but I do not know about an Ultra but the greatest satisfaction comes from finishing something which may seem unlikely or improbable at a certain points along the way.

Well Chris, you've certainly got one of the most important things nailed down, which is drive/attitude.

My advice, as ever, is to go for it. The worst case scenario is you try but DNF. With the right attitude you'll improve more from that than not trying at all.

And remember, there is nothing special about ultra distances. There is nothing special about the marathon distance. They're all arbritary distances. Nothing magical that makes them impossible to run with a sub-optimal time lead in.