26.2 vs 50Km

I don't have anything specific or magic words, but I think you already have the fitness and the discipline to deal with the added effort. The real ultra experience doesn't really kick in until you go 50 miles or more; then all the things you mention become doubly important.

I would tend to agree that the elevation gain makes the 26.2 seem like 31, so yeah, you may go a little slower, but you're still going to be in great shape to post a very respectable time and do well against the field, especially your AG.

You might want to be thinking about eating a bit more when you're not hungry and drinking when you're not thirsty, but other than that, you've got what it takes to get it done.

BTW, congrats on the BQ (been there).

Here are my steps for putting you into the ultra mentality.  Camp out at the race start.  Fuel with your choice of IPAs and pizza around a campfire the night before.  Share your beer and listen to stories with other campers.  Morning of the race, chat with other runners.  Share your story and listen to theirs.  Some will just be starting to run ultras while many more will have fifty and hundred plus mile races, multi-day stage races, thru-hikes, and other tests of extreme endurance under their buckles.  Often, the people are even more amazing than the courses they're running.  When the gun goes off, walk/jog for a few minutes to warm up.  Make friends, make every moment fun, and hang on to everything that has gone right to get you here.  

I look at your post and I see a lot of numbers: distance numbers, elevation numbers, percentages, weight, age, PR numbers, etc.  My advice for seeing this as an ultra: drop the numbers.  Numbers don't mean anything in the long run (pun intended).  It's about the form, not the formula.  It's not an equation, it's an experience, and the experience is everything.

Is it on the road or a trail? 

If you train/race by HR, keep your HR well into Z1/2 even if that means walking (uphill, or just if your HR starts to creep up).  If it's on the road, expect typical marathon aid stations, and make sure you drink a fair amount.  The exertion can be deceptive if you're used to running 7:30 miles and now are "loafing" along at 9 minutes/mile...

Ultra attitude is about finishing, not about time (while the events are timed, they're typically titled "runs" not "races").  Be willing to jog along with a new found friend rather than a competitor you have to run down and crush.  If you're still feeling good after 20 miles, you can pick it up in the last 6. 

^^^ this.  If I could copy and past it into my signature line, I would.

Love your answer!  Thanks- just what I needed.  Yeah- you got me.  I'm all about the numbers.  When I race; I watch my HR, %LT, pace.  My garmin virtual partner is set to my goal time or McMillan prediction of what's possible, etc etc.

Of course- this isn't really an 'ultra', it's just a real B*&^$ of a road marathon.  There won't be any camping before the start- but it will be an 'experience'.  So, I'll land somewhere in between.  Someday I will likely enter the Ultra fray.  Perhaps a 50 miler for my 50th birthday (ack- only 2 years away).

It's on the road.  Water stations are sparse tho- 3-4mi apart, so I'll run with a small bottle to re-fill at each, and start downing my preffered flavor of Cliff shot bloks early.  Yeah I train/race by HR.  I got it: Z1/2 (with HR drift calculated in).  The course climbs steadily 5-7% to 20mi, and from there it's rolling hills, so whatever I've got left for those last miles.  that's the plan.

I did it the first year.  I can tell you what not to do.  Some dude stopped part way and laid down and took a nap.  Woke up covered in ants. 

I just raced by HR.  I knew from training that if I went above a certain level I'd be in trouble.  So I just stayed under that number, kept a nice easy pace, and all was well.  It's a fun race, enjoy the day.

took a nice jog up the Lemmon this morning.  As it's 2 weeks out- I only did 12 mi (3500ft vert.)  it was surprisingly pleasant.  Going up is quite a bit slower, but far less pounding than running on the flat.  yeah- it'll be a long grind, but frankly, I can't wait.  

Oddly, the part of the race I'm not looking forward to is when I crest that 8200ft level at 19.5mi and have to start running down.