Choosing an Ultramarathon: The Different Race Options

The first step to choosing that first ultra is actually choosing the race. The single best resource is Ultrarunning Magazine's online ultra calendar (http://www.ultrarunning.com/calendar.html). The races can be sorted in a variety of ways based on location, distance, difficulty, date, etc. I would recommend starting with distance. There's actually to categories: distance races and timed races. Here are the most common:

• 50k (31 miles): This is considered the minimum “ultra” distance. It's usually considered to be the easiest. It's a good first choice, especially if you don't want to train for a long period of time.
• 50 miles: This is also a decent choice for a first ultra. It's more difficult, but can still be run in a single day.
• 100k: This distance is getting into the realm of “too difficult for a first ultra” because they usually require day and night running.
• 100 miles: Some people start with ultras, but I'd advise against it. You encounter a lot of issues that are difficult to experience in training. Your best bet is to learn from the shorter distances first.
• 6 hour race: This is probably the shortest timed race where a beginner could reach the ultra distance (50k). The races are usually held on small loop courses with ample aid and other support. However, it would probably require running for the entire 6 hours averaging about an 11:30 minute/mile pace. It is probably better to do a...
• 12 hour race: This is a great ultra distance to get your feet wet if a 50k distance race is unavailable. Pretty much anybody can reach the ultra distance and still have plenty of time to sit down and rest, eat, and take care of any issues that arise. Think of it a an ultra with training wheels for the newbie. In fact, 12 hours are my favorite race to introduce people to ultra distances by using simple logic- you can stop at any time, even after one lap.
• 24 hour race: This is another good option if a 12 hour isn't available. It can also be a good option for those wanting to train for 100 milers since it involves night running and sleep deprivation.
• 48 and 72 hour races: This would be overkill for a newbie... no need to go this long unless you're really into adventure!

As if this weren't enough options, races also come in a few different layouts:

• Point-to-point: This race starts at one place and ends at another. Timed races do not use this format. Personally this is my favorite type of race because you don't run on the same part of the course twice. I like the novelty. For beginners, this is a good choice because you don't come back to the start line, which could give you the opportunity to drop out of the race (DNF, or Did Not Finish).
• Loop: A loop course is run in a series of, well, loops. All timed races are loop races. Many distance races run in smaller parks are also loop course. The advantage of loops is course familiarity. Once you run one loop, you've seen all of the course. For some, this is a nice benefit.
• Out-and-back: These races start at one point, run to another, then back to the original start line. They have the advantage of course familiarity on the way back, but also make it difficult to stop. Unless you have a rise to the start line, dropping out would still require you to walk all the way back to the start line- the same distance you'd cover if you stayed in the race. Personally I like to plan training runs as out-and-backs for this very reason.
• Stage Races: These races are held over the course of a few days. You run a certain distance, rest, then run more the next day. Because of the logistics, these really aren't good "newbie' races... and some question if they're actually ultramarathons if the runners don't cover at least 50k per day.
  

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My Story

I was never a runner prior to jumping into the world of ultras. I didn't run track or cross country in high school. I did play football, baseball, and wrestled, but I wasn't very good. I liked running, but assumed people did it for conditioning. It never occurred to me that people ran for recreation.

My wife Shelly introduced me to running early in our dating days. We did it mostly to stay in shape. We probably ran about ten miles per week.

The idea of ultras was planted by our friend Doug. We were watching the Superbowl (the Janet Jackson one... I don't remember who was actually playing) at our friends' house. We had a few beers. Doug was training for a 25k and we were asking him a ton of questions. It seemed unfathomable that someone could run that far (15.5 miles).

As the beer flowed, Doug brought up marathons. All of us agreed that these people were crazy and running 26.2 miles was something reserved for super-athletes. At some point the conversation stopped and the room became quiet. In a low, almost secretive voice, Doug said 'You know, there are races even longer than marathons. They're called “ultramarathons.” These people run something like 50 miles.” I was immediately hooked on the idea. It seemed so... impossible.

The rest of the evening is a bit of a blur, but I do remember getting home later than night and Googling “ultramarathons.” I stayed up until the sun poked through our bedroom window. In my weird hung-over sleep-deprived state, I resolved to run one. In fact, I decided to run one that fall. There was a 50 miler a few hours from our apartment. I read some reviews. It sounded like the perfect race.

The next few weeks were spent obsessively researching everything related to running an ultra. I made a training plan. I started an endless cycle of self-experimentation in an attempt to prepare my body for this challenge. I had some successes. But mostly I had failures. I developed about every injury a runner can experience.

By mid-summer, I had to scrap the idea of running the 50. Instead, I decided to run the marathon option at the same race. It was a struggle, but the experience led me to my then-secret training method- barefoot running.

I managed to finish the race the next season. Then I finished the same race the next year. Over the next few years, I'd continue moving up to farther distances using the same self-experimentation techniques. I continued to learn and run even as my life became more and more hectic.

Shelly and I had three kids. I continued to teach full time, went to graduate school, and started several websites. I wrote a book aboutbarefoot running and started working as a shoe consultant. One opportunity led to more. And I continued to run.

Eventually Shelly and I decided to pursue running full time. We quit our teaching jobs, bought an RV, and started traveling around the country with our three children and niece. It gave us the opportunity to teach others about barefoot running and better running form. It gave us the opportunity to explore trails in every nook and cranny of our country. It gave us the opportunity to run a lot of races and meet a ton of cool runners. It has allowed me to learn even more about ultras.

Since those feeble early days, I've managed to have some degree of success. I'm still a back-of-the-pack runner and each race is a struggle, but I have become exceptionally good at maximizing every element of training. I've finished multiple 100 mile races including a sub-24 hour finish at Western States (the Superbowl of ultras). I attribute most of my success to my endless experimentation that is a direct result of extensive reading and questioning ultrarunning veterans. This book is my opportunity to pass on the knowledge I have accumulated. At the same time, it's also my opportunity to learn even more from all those that participate in this project.

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Don't Let Wannabe Elites Dissuade You From Running Ultras

There's a weird phenomenon in our society, and this phenomenon extends to ultramarathons. People that are above average (but not great) tend to be... well, douchy.

You can divide people based on abilities. The best of the best are the elites. They win A LOT. The people directly behind them are the front of the pack. They may win occasionally, but usually lose to the elites. Next is the middle of the pack. These are the people that occupy the biggest area in the bell curve. Finally you have the back of the pack. These are the people that finish near the end. You know, like me.

The front of the middle pack is the group I'm calling out. These are runners that are pretty good, but not good enough to win races. They may place in a race if the competition is light. Otherwise they finish awhile after the leaders.

This group can usually be spotted based on their gear. They have the latest and greatest gadgetry. They have matching high-tech clothing. They have fancy shoes... most likely brand new. In essence, this runner is attempting to buy their way into the front of the pack.

So why does this group tend to be douchy? They have a superiority complex. They tend to look down on new ultrarunners looking to break into the sport. They routinely make the new runner feel as if they don't belong because the races should be reserved for the best of the best, which is where they believe they belong.

Of course, not all members of this group are d-bags. In fact, most probably aren't. It's a case of a few loudmouths drawing negative attention to the group as a whole.

Anyway, in the event you're ever approached by a member of this group and they spew their negativity, ignore them. They are not representative of all ultrarunners.

Need a graphic demonstration?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0IhY49sTOU

A Few Commonly-Asked Questions About Ultramarathons

The promise of groupies did it, right? I thought so. Oh, they usually congregate at the finish line... so don't expect to see them until then.

So now that you're interested, I'm sure you have more questions. Here are a few I regularly field:

You mentioned health? Are these things really dangerous?

I won't sugar coat this- you may die. That's unlikely, though. More realistically, you may get injured. Most ultras are run on trails, so there's a danger of tripping, falling off a cliff, being attacked by wild animals, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of nowhere. Now that we put everything on the table, we can be more realistic.

The race directors that conduct these races are fantastic. Runner safety is always a primary concern. Proper training will eliminate many of the dangers. There are countless ultrarunners that have been doing this for decades without ill effects. Good preparation should eliminate almost all potential hazards. This book will help prepare you to face the challenges. Also, I would always recommend consulting your doctor before beginning any exercise routine.

I ran a 10k a few weeks ago, and it was really hard. Why the Hell would I want to try something so much longer?!?

It's common for people to take their experiences in shorter races (even marathons) and extrapolate the experience to ultras by imagining them being exponentially more difficult. Ultras ARE tough, but they're completely different animals.

Let's look at a common semi-serious race distance runners tackle: the half-marathon on a road. There's a huge crowd. Parking sucks. The porta-potty lines are worse than the Black Friday lines outside Walmart. And there's always that jackass wearing matching spandex shorts and tank top that gives you the “You have no business running this race” look . You know, the one with the heart rate monitor, iPod, and some mysterious gadget you could swear is a bubble gum dispenser. You run through suburbs, through industrial zones, and somehow always manage to pass the waste water treatment plant. On top of that, you run really hard for 13.1 miles.

Now let's look at a typical ultra. It's not uncommon for runners to party the night before. The race itself has a laid-back low key vibe. The race course is almost always held on interesting trails through beautiful natural settings. The people, even the elites that usually win, are supportive and approachable. When running the race, it's acceptable to run slow, walk, and even stop occasionally. We call it “strategy.” And the food! Each aid station, usually between three and six miles apart, is essentially a snack food buffet in the forest.

How long does it take to train for an ultra?

Experiences vary, but most people can go from no running experience to running a 50k in about six months. If you already have experience running shorter distances, this number could easily be cut in half. Some people can go farther. I did my first 50 miler after about six months of training. I've known people that have successfully run a 100 miler with less than a year of training. This isn't an endeavor that will take years to achieve.

How is this training going to change my lifestyle?

Most of us are pretty busy. When I started ultras, I had a full-time job (teaching high school), earning a Master's degree, and my wife and I had a newborn baby. It was difficult at first... until I learned a little secret. I started treating every experience as if it were ultra training. Waking up to feed the baby at 2am? Sleep deprivation training. Trip to the supermarket? Park as far away as possible and get some practice walking. Have a grad class on the tenth floor? Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

These little shortcuts allowed me to live my life with minimal distraction. I didn't have four hours a day to train. I was lucky if I could eek out four hours per week. I'll share many of my “using life as training' tips in this book.

How do I know if I'm ready?

You don't. Odds are you never will feel ready. No matter how hard you train, you'll always feel as though you could have done more. In fact, “I'm not ready” is just code for “I'm scared.” Running an ultra is intimidating. Everybody is scared when they run their first ultra. Hell, I'm still scared when I run ultras.

If you wait until you feel like you're ready, you will never do it. I lived a good portion of my life in a state of fear. I was routinely paralyzed by “what if's.” I did what I could to get the fear to vanish, which never worked. Eventually I realized the fear would always be there. The trick was to just close my eyes, accept the fear, and take a blind leap.

If you can't overcome this fear, I'll give you some good tips later in the book.

I know you have A LOT more questions. Don't worry, I'll answer all of them in the coming pages.

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Why You Should Run Ultras

Prize money?

No.  Even if you win, you probably can't even pay for the food you ate during the race.

Fame?

Nope.  People will think you're crazy... and not the “the party doesn't start until you arrive” kind of crazy.

Health?

Not even close.  I usually feel about twenty years older after finishing a race.

So why bother?  It comes down to one simple fact- you'll never be this young again.  There's nothing more empowering than completing a race 99.99% of the human population would never even consider, let alone attempt.  You'll forever compare an ultra finish to difficult life events.  You'll realize you really can accomplish far more than you expect.  This empowering experience can be life-changing.

There may be other reasons, too.  You get cool swag, like shirts, belt buckles, and beer mugs.  You get to experience nature up close and personal.  You get to brag to your friends.  You can say douchy stuff like “You run marathons?  Awwww... how cute!”  You meet incredible people and bond over your mutual struggles.  You get to poop in the woods.  And the groupies... can't forget the groupies!

Still not convinced?  Start hanging out with ultrarunners.  Volunteer to work at an aid station for a local race.  Google “ultramarathon race report”, then read a few.  Crew or pace a friend as they complete an ultra.  I guarantee you'll catch the bug!

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How To Use This Guide

So you want to run ultramarathons, huh?  Well, I have some good news and some bad news. 

The good news: you can do it!  I'm going to spend a significant amount of time convincing you based on one simple principle.  If I can do it, YOU can do it!  When you see pictures of me, that point should become abundantly clear. 

The bad news: You chose this book as your guide.

Okay, so it's not THAT bad.  Unless you like science-based training guides written by degree-holding experts with a wall full of race trophies.  In that case, you may be wasting your money.

You see, I'm not going to bore you with nonsense like statistics and data.  I'm not going to overload your mind with fancy technical terms, graphs, or medical advice.  I'm going to help you learn about ultras they way so many of us learn in college: 

Watching our friends make stupid, embarrassing mistakes, then do the exact opposite.

Over the years, I've read about ultras extensively.  The goal was simple- do the best I could with as little effort as possible using every shortcut I could find.  That involved a lot of self-experimentation.  Some ideas were great.  Some were disastrous.  Some left scars.  The experimentation has allowed me (a mediocre runner with limited athletic ability) to finish multiple 100 mile races.  I even managed to finish one under 24 hours.

This book will be best used as a supplement to your training plan, not as a training plan itself.  I won't give you direct "this will work" answers, because I believe we're all an experiment of one.  I WILL give you a ton of information about the tiniest of details of running ultras- from food choice to the art of pooping in the woods. 

New or aspiring ultrarunners- you will learn a lot from my experiences.  Veteran ultrarunners, you will laugh at my stupidity, stubbornness, and apparent inability to learn from my mistakes.

At any rate, enjoy the ride!

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The Vision of an Ultramarathon book

Here's the plan: this blog is going to eventually become the guts of my ultramarathon book.  As I write each new section, I'll post it here.  This will allow three things:

1. It will allow for instant feedback (and editing from my grammar police friends). This is important because I want to create a resource that actually helps the average person run an ultra... not just provide generic advice that isn't especially useful.

2. It fits with my philosophy on sharing information.  I'm a huge fan of freely sharing stuff to promote the common good.  You'll get to see the entire book (though in rough form) well before it is ever published.  If you choose to buy it, great!  If not, at least the information is out there.

3. It allows me to learn from the process.  This has been the best part of The Barefoot Running Book experience- it has served as a medium that has allowed me to learn from the people that read it.  I'm hoping this "open book" idea gives me the same opportunity to learn from you.

So what would I like from you?  FEEDBACK!  Comment on the posts!  Give me your experiences!  I don't know how the logistics will work yet, but I would like to add some of your experiences to the book, too.  

I should be starting the posts very soon.  I'll be publicizing each post on Twitter, Facebook, and maybe BRU. 

Oh, and I'll do something to "pretty up" this blog once I get a little extra free time.  ;-)

What do you think of the project?  Good idea?  Terrible idea?  

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