First Trail Run

[Norman]

Good afternoon all. I have always wanted to complete an ultramarathon; To this day I have ran 6 full marathons with my last being Boston in April with a 3:04 finish time. I think the longest I have ever ran on trails is about 13-15 miles, so doing a 50k is quite a huge jump. I know I could complete the 10k and 20k with no problem, but my heart wants to do the 50k. Can anyone here who has either a) Ran an ultra, or b) Ran a trail-ultra, give me advice as to if I am crazy for wanting to run this?

[Trail Convert]

Norman, you are not crazy at all for wanting to do a trail ultra. You have simply reached a higher level of enlightenment!

You have also found the right race sponsor in PCTR, the right geography (which you may know already if you are local), the right time of year, and depending on your selection, the right courses. All that said, don't take either the trail surface or distance lightly -- the correlation to road running isn't 1:1, and you should run at least a few shorter trail races first so that you can develop hydration, electrolyte, food, stride and pace strategies/techniques.

You won't find rock bands, goodie bags, local mayors starting races, water every mile or flag-waving children at these races. What you will find are nice (and still competitive) people, great organizers, scenic trails and challenging courses. Good luck!

[G]

A 50 Km is only 4.9 miles longer than a marathon, which you've done 6 times. You just need to remember that a trail marathon can take an hour longer than a road marathon, because of the hills and technicality of the trails. Add the extra 4.9 miles and figure you'll be out for 1 1/2 to 2 hours longer. A bit different for a speedy 3 hour marathoner. You now enter the realm of post 3 hour bonking that slower runners hit at around 20 miles in a road marathon.

I'd train just like you do for a marathon, except for two things:
1) train more off pavement (just because it's easier on you, more fun and better simulates your race) and do more hill work.
2) add a bit more time to your long runs and concentrate more on nutrient replacement (gels) and hydration on your long runs.

You won't find aid stations every 2 miles like at Boston. Also the hills are real here, unlike Boston's insipid little up grades. Remember that it's not considered cheating to walk a bit on a mountain trail.

You don't need to run over 20-23 miles like you do in your road marathon training, you can increase your mileage and time out by simply hiking a few miles before and/or after your run.

Based on your speed and experience, you'll have no problem completing a 50KM. Choose one that is less steep (it will still look vertical for a flatland marathoner!) for your first 50KM and keep a very conservative pace for the first 20 miles. Throw away your watch. Don't worry about time. Trail ultras are too variable to compare times on~~judge how well you did by your relative position (especially within your age group).

There are plenty of people that post on this and other message boards who are crazy. i.e. posts like "I've never run over 6 miles, so I've signed up for the 50 KM next week. Can you give me advice?" It's really refreshing to see someone who thinks before he leaps. If anything, you are too cautious given your ability.