Ultra Runners Chatty Thread

[RelentlessForwardProgress]

If you regularly run ultra, are planning your first or are kinda secretly mulling over the idea of doing one welcome to the party.

[LivingInaBuildingSite]

Hello all,

not been running much at all recently, but just home from an 18miles fun run in London, as you do. Wasn’t sure I could do the mileage but my legs feel fine, apart from a little tired.

Have a free place for a run in December, Can do a half, marathon or ultra. Ive done it before, it’s a loop event, done both ultra and marathon distances at it before. Aiming for ‘Just’ a marathon this time.

other that that, nothing booked for 23 really yet, apart from a local triathlon which I’ve done a few times at the sprint distance, going to push myself up to the Olympic distance this time.

[IScreamAtMichaelangelos]

Proper North - I'm in the southeast, Ripon is proper north to me! 😂

Has anyone ever done the Jurassic Coast 40 mile ultra? Am tempted....

[Chocolateteabag]

Yep there were a few hills! -1000m of climb in total (but felt like sooo much more)
Not really a mountain ultra though tbh and a lot of roads

Feeling ready to consider the next one but will need to be a northern one (and by that I mean north of Leeds - proper "North" )

[IScreamAtMichaelangelos]

@Chocolateteabag

No - Round Ripon up in North Yorkshire

That sounds gorgeous, if potentially hilly!!

[Chocolateteabag]

No - Round Ripon up in North Yorkshire

[IScreamAtMichaelangelos]

@Chocolateteabag

Just finished my first Ultra - 55km of torture fun!
Lying in bed feeling all the aches - no blisters or real damage though

Please can anyone advise what I should be doing over the next couple of weeks?
I've been told I should try a short run tomorrow , I've read I should take between a week to a month off - all a bit confused

Were you at UltraLondon? Me too if so!

I am looking at the Jurassic Coast ultra in March 2023 for extending my one-day distance :)

[ReviewingTheSituation]

Definitely have a few days off - those muscles have a lot of repair and recovery to do!

I ran London last weekend, and couldn't manage anything other than walking on the flat until Wednesday, and was still in pain (quads) until Thurs. But I felt ready to run on Friday (just 3 miles), and then did 11 miles today.

Essentially, I'd say whatever works for you. I felt like a caged animal when I wasn't running, but if I'd felt tied/achey then I wouldn't have gone.

[Chocolateteabag]

Thankyou - well I'm not feeling too bad today but didn't feel like a run!

Will take it easy and go with how I feel each day

My friends are already looking at the options for the next challenge

[LivingInaBuildingSite]

Well done!!

re recovery runs, everyone I know is different, some do a slow short run sooner, like the next day. Some have a week off. Think whatever you feel like doing is the answer.
try a short run and see what your legs say?

[Chocolateteabag]

Just finished my first Ultra - 55km of torture fun!
Lying in bed feeling all the aches - no blisters or real damage though

Please can anyone advise what I should be doing over the next couple of weeks?
I've been told I should try a short run tomorrow , I've read I should take between a week to a month off - all a bit confused

[SheepAreSuper]

Belated thank you @fellrunner

I hope it went well for you. The weather was a bit harsh hey?

[FellRunner94]

Good luck to everyone at the 50/100 this weekend! I’ve registered and feeling scared and excited 😁

[spuddy56]

Thank you that's so helpful. I'm definitely going to keep that in the back of my mind as something I'm sorting of aiming for. I really like the thought of it; having time to enjoy the scenery and not just feel like I'm pounding away only for the sake of going as fast as possible.

[FellRunner94]

@giraffeski We do need a sign of some sort! I feel like I’ll need all the extra encouragement I can get… 😁

@spuddy56 I’m a similar pace to you on the road, my trail marathon pb is just under 5 hours at 7:04mins/km and my ultra (37.5 miles) took me 8 hours at 8:08mins/km. It really depends on the course, elevation, weather etc though. It varies so much between races so I tend not to plan a time goal, I turn up and see what happens. Fast walking is definitely a thing, but my walking tends to be slow 😅

As an example, Lakeland Trails 55K Ultra (which is apparently actually closer to 58km…) starts at 9am and I think the finish cut off is 10pm so you’d have 13 hours to complete it which means averaging roughly 13:27mins/km

[RandomUsernameHere]

@spuddy56 worked out for the last ultra I did my pace was just under 9 mins/km (including stopping at the checkpoints etc). My road marathon pace is just under 5 mins/km so you can see how much slower I was in the ultra! I was well within the cutoff for that ultra and did a bit of walking and lots of chatting to people so yes there are definitely ultra races where you can take your time! I would just check the cutoffs before entering.

[spuddy56]

What sort of pace do you run at for ultras overall? I love hiking and running and have done road half and full marathons (1hr40 and 4hrs 20). I did my first 10k with lakeland trails and have just booked a 15k with them. I'd love to have an ultimate goal of a 50k or something but in a way I don't want to push myself too hard and would like to do slower running/even fast walking some bits. Is that a thing?

[RandomUsernameHere]

Welcome @jefficake
I would leave the hard skin alone as it will protect your feet!
As others have said, no such thing as too slow but be sure to check cut offs of any races you plan to enter. Take into account the terrain too, as you will be a lot lot slower on say cliffs paths than fairly flat trails or roads.

[giraffeski]

@FellRunner94 @SheepAreSuper we need a secret sign!

You'll probably overtake me at some point on the race, shall I stick a Mumsnet sticker under my race number so you can cheer me on as you pass?


Toes are a bit better, not run yet but going to try a run this week and then I may attempt a very slow attempt the Pennine 39 at the weekend which was supposed to be my last long run. If I can't manage that then I have no chance!

[IScreamAtMichaelangelos]

Thanks for the good wishes! I am only a walker, not a runner, so it took me an average of 9 hours to do 50k each day (moving time). I'm pleased to have coped with the heat but would like to do another one in nicer temperatures!!

[FellRunner94]

@jefficake

1. Boring, but the right shoe and sock combination. Took me a while to get it right but I use cheap Primark multipack socks and love them 😁. Some people I run with use £40 ones, it really is trial and error until you find what works for you. It could also be a case of toughening the skin up too.
2. There isn’t such a thing as too slow! Anyone is welcome and you’ll never embarrass yourself. The trail/ultra community is so inclusive and welcoming. Some races have cut offs but they’re usually pretty generous. Are you up North? Lakeland Trails are amazing if you want to try a few different distances out without any pressure. They usually have a few start time options with the longest cut off time meaning you’d be able to walk the distance. I’m sure there are other similar events across the country but that’s who I run with a lot.

I’ve answered for a trail perspective here but there will be road/mixed terrain options too. I joined a woman’s only running club which also helped, just give it a try!

[SheepAreSuper]

Posted to early...

The wrong shoe and sock combo or not swapping socks when your feet are wet can contribute.

2) I don't think there is really such a thing as "too slow", as long as you make check point cutoffs then who cares?

[SheepAreSuper]

@FrodisCapering I was struggling through C25k this time last year. I'm now tapering for the Lakeland 50 in less than 3 weeks. Consistency is key.

@jefficake

1. I don't suffer but the other half swears by filing the hard skin. The wrong shoe and sock combo and

[jefficake]

Hi all. Very new to this - not an ultra runner (yet by any means). Since having a baby, I can no longer run fast, but I can plod along slowly for quite a while so thinking distance might be my new thing...

So I had a couple of questions I hoped you much more skilled and longer distance runners can help me with?

1/ does anyone had any good tips for dealing with hard skin/ blister forming on the ball of the foot (specifically below big toe)?
2/ how slow is too slow? Since having a baby my km/min pace has increased significantly (quite depressing).I don't want to embarrass myself by being so slow on courses people wonder why I turned up...

Thank you :)

[FellRunner94]

Sounds like everyone some amazing plans! Hope all of your training goes well.

@IScreamAtMichaelangelos Good luck! The weather is tough at the moment.

@LivingInaBuildingSite Glad the tri well! So true about Ultras being more about eating… definitely perfected that part.

@giraffeski Hopefully you get to the start line! Who knows we might even cross paths at some point without knowing 😁

[RandomUsernameHere]

Sorry @ReviewingTheSituation getting mixed up with so many new posts! Good luck to @IScreamAtMichaelangelos

I know what you mean about ultras, I have never trained properly for them as just accept I'm going to be slower anyway. Definitely a case of completing not competing for anything above marathon distance for me.