24 Hour Run training VS Distance

[peterj]

Can anyone recommend good training resources, OR EVEN BETTER perhaps give your tips for a 24 hour race, versus a set distance?

I am registered for the SF ONE Day in Oct and am looking for training tips, tactics and strategies, YOURS will help!

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Much of training for a fixed-time event (12-hour, 24-hour, etc.) is mental. It's quite different to run around the same loop time after time than to run around on a variety of trails.

Wendell, Aaron, and I have all done fixed-time events and we train by running and walking loops somewhere for a set amount of time. We've got a very small, hilly park across the street where we run and hike 2 Km loops for anywhere from 1 to 5 hours. We combine that with doing our long runs on the bike path or on mellower trails than usual (doing less climbing, since the fixed-time events we've done are flat) and heat training (if necessary for the fixed-time conditions), and we've all been happy with results.

As for race day, we tend to run a set amount of time before incorporating walking breaks, but we know other folks who start out with run/walk strategy from the very beginning. At the SF One Day last year, Aaron ran just under two hours (10 miles) at the start before incorporating walking into his 12-hour race. At my last 24-hour race, I ran a bunch of hours before incorporating walking - but I wasn't going fast and have a good shuffle that doesn't tire me out much.

The other thing to think about is eating and drinking. You'll have aid at Crissy Field every mile, but you should probably think about what distance works best for you, whether you carry a bottle, whether you set up your own mini-aid station, etc.

Hope you're looking forward to it, Peter - fixed-time events are a blast!!

Sarah

[kent]

Fixed time events are great. There is some good training information on Keven Sayers' ultraunning site: www.ultrunr.com/; look at the Track Ultras & 24 hour events.

If you're not used to running through the night I recommend doing some late night/early morning runs (go for a 4 hour run starting at midnight). I will be at the SF one day too. Good luck!

[peterj]

Kent and Sarah,

thank you very much for your responses. I was doing some training with Stu Mittleman, and wanted to hear other "success recipes" from some of the others that post on the boards!

PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING, I will check out that site, and will continue to check back in! Kent, what do you do for sleep at 4am? Power through the day or nap later in the day?

peter

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

We have always done a lot of night running - of all types. By that I mean that we'll often meet friends at the end of the day for runs that go into the night. And my friend and I met yesterday at 4:30 a.m. and ran for four hours, starting in the dark and finishing after it got light. And we always get a few runs in each year, either at hundreds or just with friends, that go all night long.

The nice thing about night runs is that they don't take much time away from family - I mean, I was up at 3:00 yesterday morning and we were done running by 8:30 or so - but I find that they also do lead to a lot of nap-taking.

But I do think practicing night running is more important for a trail run, when you have to be more mentally alert (to stay on course) and nimble with your feet (so as not to fall) than you'll need to be at the SF One Day. But if you do plan to run all night, it's not a bad idea to try some caffeine pills and/or caffeinated drinks when running. We always carry and usually take No-Doz or some type of caffeine pill when doing hundreds, as well as drinking caffeinated beverages.

Last, if you do get tired at an all-night run, there are many times when a short nap will make you feel totally refreshed - if you're really almost or literally asleep on your feet, it's a wonder what a 20-minute nap can do.

Hope this all helps.

Sarah