General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Can I call myself an ultra runner now? Rss Feed  
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2013-08-20 12:18 PM

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Scottsdale, AZ
Subject: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
Half joking. In honor of my 36th birthday I went out and ran 36 (actually ended up being 37 and change) miles on Sunday. I've been running for quite some time and have a fair amount of volume in these legs but leading up to Sunday I was wondering exactly what the he!! I was thinking. My running has been put way on the back burner for a while now which left me wondering if I was even going to be able to cover the distance and survive. Surprisingly enough, it really wasn't that bad at all! Granted I slowed down and took it easy on the run but honestly, I've felt much more banged up after marathons. Sunday evening I was a bit sore but after some splashing in the pool Monday morning I feel great with no residual fatigue/pain/tightness. I guess I should finally look to knock an official ultra out one of these days. How tore down does one typically feel after "racing" an ultra? I'm signing up for the solo Run6 Trans Rockies run for next year.

Blatant front door brag.

Edited by thebigb 2013-08-20 12:20 PM


2013-08-20 12:19 PM
in reply to: thebigb

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Seattle
Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
No. Happy Birthday! Wink
2013-08-20 12:23 PM
in reply to: Asalzwed

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Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
Originally posted by Asalzwed

No. Happy Birthday! Wink


Oh man, I was just about to buy a sticker too!

2013-08-20 12:27 PM
in reply to: thebigb

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Seattle
Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?

It would be a reaaaaaly skewed oval sticker that says "thirty-seven and some change"

 

In all seriousness, it will be cool to see how you like it if you end up doing an ultra. Eventually I would like to do one but I will probably wait a few years for sure. 

2013-08-20 12:46 PM
in reply to: Asalzwed

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Scottsdale, AZ
Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
Originally posted by Asalzwed

It would be a reaaaaaly skewed oval sticker that says "thirty-seven and some change"

 

In all seriousness, it will be cool to see how you like it if you end up doing an ultra. Eventually I would like to do one but I will probably wait a few years for sure. 




I was actually thinking of one that says "Almost 60k" It's going to be a while before I actually sign up for one as well. As much as I'd like to this fall/winter I have to focus on biking and swimming instead. I do not want to have a bad IMAZ performance next year.
2013-08-20 12:52 PM
in reply to: thebigb

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Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
Originally posted by thebigb

Originally posted by Asalzwed

No. Happy Birthday! Wink


Oh man, I was just about to buy a sticker too!




50K+ = ultra, so I vote yes. Get yourself a sticker!


2013-08-20 1:49 PM
in reply to: thebigb

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Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?

Normally I'd say 'no', and that you'd have to do it in a sanctioned race/run but... it was like 110 degrees on Sunday.

so, I'll give you a pass on that one.

2013-08-20 3:47 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
Originally posted by thebigb

Half joking. In honor of my 36th birthday I went out and ran 36 (actually ended up being 37 and change) miles on Sunday. I've been running for quite some time and have a fair amount of volume in these legs but leading up to Sunday I was wondering exactly what the he!! I was thinking. My running has been put way on the back burner for a while now which left me wondering if I was even going to be able to cover the distance and survive. Surprisingly enough, it really wasn't that bad at all! Granted I slowed down and took it easy on the run but honestly, I've felt much more banged up after marathons. Sunday evening I was a bit sore but after some splashing in the pool Monday morning I feel great with no residual fatigue/pain/tightness. I guess I should finally look to knock an official ultra out one of these days. How tore down does one typically feel after "racing" an ultra? I'm signing up for the solo Run6 Trans Rockies run for next year.

Blatant front door brag.


You're like the new caballo blanco. Er, that is, you run through the hot desert for fun.

Edited by mr2tony 2013-08-20 3:48 PM
2013-08-20 4:00 PM
in reply to: mr2tony

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Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
Originally posted by mr2tony

Originally posted by thebigb

Half joking. In honor of my 36th birthday I went out and ran 36 (actually ended up being 37 and change) miles on Sunday. I've been running for quite some time and have a fair amount of volume in these legs but leading up to Sunday I was wondering exactly what the he!! I was thinking. My running has been put way on the back burner for a while now which left me wondering if I was even going to be able to cover the distance and survive. Surprisingly enough, it really wasn't that bad at all! Granted I slowed down and took it easy on the run but honestly, I've felt much more banged up after marathons. Sunday evening I was a bit sore but after some splashing in the pool Monday morning I feel great with no residual fatigue/pain/tightness. I guess I should finally look to knock an official ultra out one of these days. How tore down does one typically feel after "racing" an ultra? I'm signing up for the solo Run6 Trans Rockies run for next year.

Blatant front door brag.


You're like the new caballo blanco. Er, that is, you run through the hot desert for fun.


You know, when I was working on the golf course I was called "pan blanco"...
2013-08-20 4:57 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?

Your question is pretty timely to me as I just ran my first ultra last Saturday.  I've done 5 marathons and 2 IM's over the past two years so I have some basis for comparison.  In fact, a friend of mine that was there asked me right after the race which was tougher, an IM or a 50 miler.  For me, there was no debate, I felt worse in the later stages and after the IM's.  I think I even felt more intense post-race pain and discomfort from the marathons but there are some differences.

I think the intensity and faster pace generate so much more pounding on the legs during a marathon.  So muscle pain and discomfort were greater with the marathon but energy levels and thus recovery has actually been slower for me with the ultra.  What surprised me is how mentally tired I continue to be.  My physical recovery is taking a little longer.  I usually am swimming or spinning lightly after one day off from a marathon but I'm two days out now I really am going to have to force myself to do anything this evening if at all.

Sounds like you would have no problem with an ultra, given I guess that you just did one but I'd encourage you to participate in an official one.  It was one of the greatest, most rewarding experiences in my life. 



Edited by popsracer 2013-08-20 4:58 PM
2013-08-20 5:24 PM
in reply to: popsracer

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Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
Originally posted by popsracer

Your question is pretty timely to me as I just ran my first ultra last Saturday.  I've done 5 marathons and 2 IM's over the past two years so I have some basis for comparison.  In fact, a friend of mine that was there asked me right after the race which was tougher, an IM or a 50 miler.  For me, there was no debate, I felt worse in the later stages and after the IM's.  I think I even felt more intense post-race pain and discomfort from the marathons but there are some differences.

I think the intensity and faster pace generate so much more pounding on the legs during a marathon.  So muscle pain and discomfort were greater with the marathon but energy levels and thus recovery has actually been slower for me with the ultra.  What surprised me is how mentally tired I continue to be.  My physical recovery is taking a little longer.  I usually am swimming or spinning lightly after one day off from a marathon but I'm two days out now I really am going to have to force myself to do anything this evening if at all.

Sounds like you would have no problem with an ultra, given I guess that you just did one but I'd encourage you to participate in an official one.  It was one of the greatest, most rewarding experiences in my life. 




Congrats, that's a heck of an accomplishment! Oddly enough when finishing up all I could think was, "dang, only 13 more miles and we can make it a 50 miler".


2013-08-20 6:09 PM
in reply to: thebigb

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Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
Damn dude, that is a hell of a training run. Happy Birthday.

Just get out a sharpie and a plain t-shirt, make your own race t-shirt and count it!

I think a celebratory beer is in order!
2013-08-20 6:37 PM
in reply to: thebigb

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Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
Isn't this how Dean Karnazes got his start?

Happy b day!
2013-08-20 6:41 PM
in reply to: thebigb

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University Park, MD
Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
You've clearly proven that you are crazy enough to become an ultra runner. Heck, it's August and you're in Phoenix -- you get extra crazy points for that.

But not yet an "ultra runner". You probably have to be habitually doing outlandish trail runs to call yourself that.

(Does one marathon make somebody a marathoner?)

Happy Birthday! I'm looking forward to the 50th.
2013-08-20 9:10 PM
in reply to: colinphillips

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Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
Well Done!! Your race shirt: 1ST PLACE - HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEARY 60K PERSONAL ULTRA FOR MAD MEN
2014-08-25 1:37 PM
in reply to: thebigb

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Scottsdale, AZ
Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?

Another year down

 



2014-08-25 1:57 PM
in reply to: thebigb

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Wausau WI
Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
I think an ultra runner would call that a training run.
Great job!
2014-08-25 2:50 PM
in reply to: thebigb

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Subject: RE: Can I call myself an ultra runner now?
I think you need pictures crossing the finish line for it to count, accompanied by GPS data
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