General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Ultra-Marathon Training Rss Feed  
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2007-02-20 11:14 AM

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Champion
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Carlsbad, California
Subject: Ultra-Marathon Training
I noticed there are a few Ultra Runners here on BT. (Lots of Race Reports from sunmart 50)

Am thinking a bit longer term of training for maybe a 50 Miler.

I figure I could take a Pfitz marathon plan (18/70+) and scale it up for a 50k, but that would probably not be optimum for something longer.

My question for those who train for and race Ultras:

1). What is your peak Weekly Mileage
2). What is the length of your longest run
3). How much speedwork do you encorporate into your training
4). Do you follow a published training plan or just construct your own using standard principles

Thanks for taking the time to read my post and respond


2007-02-20 11:55 AM
in reply to: #696882

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Not a Coach
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Media, PA
Subject: RE: Ultra-Marathon Training

No experience, but I recalled an old thread that might point you in the right direction:  http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=16582&posts=10&highlight=ultra%20training&highlightmode=1#M148980

There were some more threads that might have had additional stuff too.  Might want to do a search to check them out.

2007-02-20 12:27 PM
in reply to: #696882

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Pro
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Wisconsin near the Twin Cities metro
Subject: RE: Ultra-Marathon Training

lot's of resources/links here:

http://www.run100s.com/

2007-02-20 12:54 PM
in reply to: #696882

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Dallas
Subject: RE: Ultra-Marathon Training
Can’t say that I’m an ‘ultra runner’ as I’ve only run 50K once (in 2005) and I have no desire to go beyond that ;) Some of my thoughts ...
 
-Training wise… the weekly volume wasn’t too much different from training for a marathon, approx. 100K/week. Maybe slightly more for a couple of weeks @ 120K.
 
-Slightly more long runs. Two longest ones were in the 42-44K range, approx. 3hr50’ – 4hr10’. The first one was absolutely painful; the second one (approx. 3wks prior to the 50K) felt much better.
 
-Back-to-back long runs on Sat/Sunday. In here we have a 15K-30K serie (road running races) for those training for marathons. I usu. incorporated them into my schedule.
 
-Zero speedwork if you mean running 400s, 800s, mile rep. on track. Instead, did a lot of fartlek, tempo runs.
 
-Ran frequently on the race course. Be familiar w/ the terrain, esp. hills.
 
Overall, the training was enough to get me crossed the finish line at 5hr35’-40’.

Edited by charlesC 2007-02-20 12:55 PM
2007-02-20 1:02 PM
in reply to: #697002

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Champion
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Carlsbad, California
Subject: RE: Ultra-Marathon Training
Thanks for posting this.

With marathon training, I have found it way more useful to know what people are actually doing. (And I suspect that a lot of Ultra Runners mostly do their own thing also)

I suspect that my weekly mileage is probably about right; but how I am running those miles would need to change a bit. (Currently running 70-90 miles per week)

Still very interested in hearing more about how other peeps approach their training.

Cheers
2007-02-20 1:05 PM
in reply to: #696939

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Champion
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Carlsbad, California
Subject: RE: Ultra-Marathon Training
Thanks for the links.

I did not find much in the way of answers to my questions above from the BT Peeps doing Ultras. (I had already done some searching)

I guess I will keep searching...


2007-02-20 1:06 PM
in reply to: #696968

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Champion
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Carlsbad, California
Subject: RE: Ultra-Marathon Training
Yeah, I guess I was looking more for personal experiences here on BT rather than online resources.

I am familiar with the link that you provided and did find it to be very helpful though.

Thanks for posting this.
2007-02-20 1:41 PM
in reply to: #696882

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Master
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Morse Lake, Noblesville, Indiana
Subject: RE: Ultra-Marathon Training
It's funny this came up, as I had an article from RW in my email today about Ultras. I've never done one, and am nowhere near doing one, so I don't know how good of advise this is.

http://tinyurl.com/33g774
2007-02-20 1:57 PM
in reply to: #696882

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Runner
Subject: RE: Ultra-Marathon Training

To start, I have not yet done an ultra, but have plans on doing one either later this year, or next (probably a 50k, there's one in SEP.).

From what I have read and learned from discussion, most of the ultra peeps are of three basic camps: A) train like a regular marathon; B) train like a marathon, but increase the long run distances some; C) just always run as much as possible.  If you're not currently running 50 mpw+, then I would probably work on building up to that and holding it for a good 8 weeks.

For most of the ultras, speed work isn't overly important.  It really comes down to aerobic endurance, and efficiency.  If you're talking a trail ultra, then the big thing you need to work on is downhill running.  From personal experience on trails, and from conversation, dead quads are a big deal come the end of a race.

When it comes down to it, I have only really looked at one ultra training plan (Higdon has one for Comrades).  I might borrow from it, but I won't necessarily follow it specifically.  To me, a big thing would be water.  I'd start looking into a CamelBak or something along those lines.  There's a number of options out there.

Hope that helps. 

2007-02-20 2:08 PM
in reply to: #696882

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Extreme Veteran
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Quebec City
Subject: RE: Ultra-Marathon Training

I will be doing my first ultra this year and i'll be using Hal Higdon training program.

 

http://www.halhigdon.com/index.html

 

Oh and by the way thanks for the links! 

 



Edited by LeCrac 2007-02-20 2:10 PM
2007-02-20 6:31 PM
in reply to: #697096

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Champion
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Carlsbad, California
Subject: RE: Ultra-Marathon Training
Yup, received the same article.

I am always a bit skeptical of what has been published without hearing if folks have achieved some success with it.

That is why I decided to use Pfitz/Daniels for my marathon training. (It works for a lot of people even if it is tough)

Thanks for posting it though. (It is right on topic)


2007-02-20 6:37 PM
in reply to: #697120

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Champion
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Carlsbad, California
Subject: RE: Ultra-Marathon Training
That helps a great deal Scout

I found a similar breakout of training approaches.

As I said in my original post, I probably would not choose option A) for anything longer than a 50k mostly because my marathon training plans run contrary to some of your other ideas. (Too Much emphasis on LT and V02Max workouts)

The message I am getting in general is that the mileage I am currently training at (70-90 MPW) is about right for a 50 Miler. Just need to figure out how to better organize the mileage to the task at hand. (That is why I posted this in the first place)

All this of course will need to wait a bit for some other more pressing goals.

Thanks for the response
2007-02-20 6:39 PM
in reply to: #697146

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Champion
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Carlsbad, California
Subject: RE: Ultra-Marathon Training
I would be very interested in hearing how well it works for you.

Good luck with your training and your big racing season
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