How did you train for your first ultra run?

linda · (#1 (**permalink**))

Hello, ultra runners, I'm sure you get this question a lot but tell us about your first ultra race/run. And what you did to prepare for it. How did you train for your first completed 50 or 100 miler.

Feel free to expound on your strategies, ie, what worked for you regarding walking vs running, food, training distance or time, etc.

champ · (#2 (**permalink**))

My first ultra was a 50 Miler I did off marathon training. I did alright, ran very conservatively early on and finished strong. It wasn't hard. It was an easy course and I was just looking to finish. I think most people could do it if they are doing serious marathon training.

linda · (#3 (**permalink**))

You make it sound so easy! Do you think most people could do 50 miles off marathon training? Surely it would depend on how difficult or hilly the 50 miler was

Blaine Moore · (#4 (**permalink**))

I decided about a month before my first ultra that I was going to run it. I'd been training for 5k/10k and would have transitioned to marathon training soon anyway. It was a 50k mountain race through a 13,000 acre forest - I had a blast.

Basically, my training was to just start my marathon training early and then pretty much train through. I didn't bother to taper (I did take it easy a few days before hand) and then did a reverse taper for about 3 weeks following the race, where I ran another 5k. I failed to run the pace I wanted (16:05 or sub-16:00) but I did run a 1 second season PR (16:37).