“Beware of the company you keep. See that you associate with the right type of people.” -Dada Vaswani
Here’s the thing about having fit friends: I like to say they’re the best-worst influence — not only do they encourage you to push your limits, but hanging out with them also tends to shift your frame of reference on the crazy scale.
Case in point: Running an ultramarathon (more than 26.2 miles). It was never really on my radar…until I started marathon training with the always-encouraging Pavement Runner and working with ever-amazing Jamie Walker, both of whom have completed many ultras of assorted distances.
Slowly my mindset started changing from, “Who would want to do that?” to “I wonder if I could do that?” to “I think I want to try that!”
Throw in an upcoming 30-something birthday at the end of May, and suddenly signing up for a race of 30-odd miles (50K) that same weekend solidified into a plan.
Oddly enough, Jamie’s said it’s actually easier (in some ways) than a marathon because the approach is completely different; whereas there’s pressure to run the entire 26.2 on the roads, an ultra on the trails is a different beast where pacing is the name of the game.
I got my first taste of it at the Lake Chabot 30K in February, but with this month’s triathlon, I haven’t had as much time to train and/or hit the trails as I’d like. But, regardless, my plan is to stay conservative and to try to finish, injury-free, in about six or seven hours.
Stay tuned for my mini-plan for training in these final weeks leading up to the event, including what I’ll be packing to keep me happy come race day!
Would you ever attempt an ultra? If so, how’d it go? If not, what are your thoughts about where I fall on that crazy scale? 🙂
Kinetic Fix 
So excited for you!
LikeLike
This sounds incredible. I have always been amazed/interested in this process. Good work!
LikeLike
Thanks! Pretty sure I’m not doing the process entirely correctly – i.e. it’s definitely not as regimented as my marathon training – but since it’s my first, I just want to take it easy & have a good experience, so we’ll see how it goes!
LikeLike
You’ll be great! I did my first one last year and it was super fun!
LikeLike
Wow, you’re amaaazing!!! So cool! 😉
LikeLike
I’m training to Ultra. I’ve said I would for a couple years, but now I’ve gone and committed. It is crazy, but the good kind. https://humanetchasketch.wordpress.com
LikeLike
Exactly; good luck with training! I love your etch-a-sketch concept; what an awesome way to make runs more fun…and to stay motivated. I bet you can spend more than a few miles trying to come up with some crazy designs!
LikeLike
Yeah, thanks! I’m trying to figure out a way to do it in a more exacting way. Keep running!
LikeLike
You can run for me! No, you’re not crazy…..you’re setting goals and trying to accomplish them….and, hey, if it makes you happy, why not just do it and have fun!
LikeLike
Very cool! My longest run by now was 44km…a present to myself for my birthday as I love long runs 😉 But doing an official 50-100km run is absolutely on my mind 😉 Enjoy your ultra-experience!
LikeLike
Thank you! You should take the plunge & sign up 🙂 This will be my longest run ever (have ‘just’ done marathons), so will definitely be an adventure!
LikeLike
I have considered doing an ultra trail race after IRONMAN in April of 2015, but I might be doing IMCanada in 2015 with a friend who is trying to twist my arm 🙂
LikeLike
Like I said – they’re the best-worst influence. But we love it, ha!
LikeLike