Ultramarathon questions

[Forestcantrun]

If you run ultras...

How many times a week do you run and if you follow a programme, what is it?

I've never done more than a half marathon but I can do them comfortably now, so if I was to do an ultra, would a year be enough to train?

Musing really. I've been watching ultra runners on tiktok and am a bit mesmerised 😂 Not sure if my legs or mind have 50+ miles in them. Also no idea how I could possibly ever find the time with work, kids, work.

A year… depends which one. A 50k, definitely, UTMB or MDS… no.

Id have a look at Gary House on IG, he is a good ultra runner who talks a lot of sense and offers good advice, but he will summarise it as, walk before you need to walk, eat before you need to eat and shit before you shit your pants.

I think the main thing with ultras is that as most of them are not on roads make sure the one you pick isn’t wildly technical unless you already have a bit of fell experience.
You’ll likely need some navigation skills too.
The “ultra challenge” ones are good, dotted all around the country and as ultras go not too pricey.

If you haven't tried a full marathon yet, I would do that first. I also found half marathons comfortable but found alsorts of problems with my knee, foot etc when going up to a full marathon. Full marathon would be a good test and then if it goes well you could start planning a ultra confidently.

I run twice a week at most (parkrun and a long run) and have done road marathons and ultras on that with gym days most other days. I've only done up to 55k though, i simply don't like running enough, or have the time to train for anything further!
I don't necessarily agree with people who say to do a marathon first - these tend to be road races and are very different to off-road ultras.

I'd follow Sophie Power under the assumption that you are on Mumsnet and therefore possibly more prone to some of the post baby long distance running joys. She talks about things like pessaries and pelvic support shorts but also wins ultras.

Oh and off roads ultras the expectation is that you go slow and aren't afraid to walk the uphills and some downhills. I'd recommend a company called white star running down in Dorset that does beautiful races with a tendency to the undulating and a better safe than sorry approach to measurements. They also hand out cake and cider at aid stations under the theory that you're meant to be there to have fun and had some of the friendliest runners I've come across.

I've done a few. I eat plenty and walk plenty.

I only do one at a time, so large parts of my training are not for huge distances. I try to keep my long run 10 Miles and sometimes do this back-to-back on a weekend. If I have a day to myself, I'll walk/run with lunch for 5-6 hours (maybe four times a year). For me, lots of it is staying in the zone mindset-wise as well as actually running

Thank you all. I will find those recommended on Facebook and have a look. @Isonthecase cider stations sound great.
@Felixthefish the stress on my bones and brain over a 13 mile distance is a concern indeed. The off road aspect of the ultra over a road 26.2 is exactly what appeals to me @emmathedilemma . Maybe a trail marathon distance to dip my toes in would be wise?
@Lastqueenofscotland2 I've no navigation experience at all which would be problematic especially for technical or non marked races. I've booked myself (and dog) into an intro to mountain navigation /compass use day with one of my colleagues who is a DOfE leader so I'll see how that goes 😂 might be the end of my notions about ultras!

@TheBitchOfTheVicar it's definitely about staying in that zone.

Booking into a course is a great idea! It’s a really important skill to have as it can be easy to make mistakes when you’re tired in bad weather!

I'm not really qualified to comment as my first ultra isn't until the end of July but if it helps I've been using the 26 week Marathon Handbook "Just Finish" 50 mile plan.

It's 3 to 4 runs a week (one session is optional speed work) plus a strength and conditioning session.
Seems to be working for me...time will tell.

I live in pretty flat area so have to travel to replicate the sustained technical terrain (and ascent and descent) of the event I'm doing. It's something worth bearing in mind when choosing an event as having to travel adds time to your training schedule.

Enjoy your nav course. It'll be great fun.

Best of luck with your ultra @SheepAreSuper wise point on having to travel to get suitable terrain. I'm 10 minutes from a very good trail route and an hour from an excellent supply of routes. Only problem is there's no way I'd be going to either of these places on my own to train in the dark so that's another consideration... I need to find a partner in crime 🤣

I've just done the "Dalby Inferno" - basically a beginner's Ultra/baby back yard Ultra
5K trail run (with hills - c 100m) x 10
But you start the first 5k at 9am, the second at 10am and so on.
I ran/walked each one in 40-42 mins and then had time for a wee/food/water etc before the next one.

It has really helped me with what I will want/be able to eat on a point to point. Plus how I might feel after 30-40k!

Big learning is to then rest properly afterwards - I took a full week off running and then a very gentle week to follow