If / when ultra marathon gets that type of recognition with a top notch branding campaign, I bet there'll be thousands who'll want a taste of that cup.

 

My guess is that this is the last thing most ultra runners want. 

I'm with L Train. 

The Rock 'n Roll Western States 100!  Shudder.

I can eat 50 eggs.

As for Ironman, I was there at the beginning of the boom, just after "the early days" (I did my thing from 1988-1992)... I know the folks who work(ed) at Ironman central in Kona, and I used to make a chunk of change doing Ironman course orientation rides and runs for people who'd come over to train in summer and early fall (2002-2006).  And for those who got in via lottery or other now-plugged loopholes which got you into Kona without previously completing a full Ironman elsewhere, a bit of personal training hoo ha.

I say that to say this: the branding shenanigans of Ironman... not just the races, but the use of the name on all kinds of crap... plus the sponsorship dealings with companies who advertise at Ironman (Ford, for example)... that stuff is amazingly bizarre and full of great silliness.

Flashy bikes and goofy triathlon clothes aside, running 100 miles is pretty crazy, but ultras feel more 'pure' in comparison.  By lots.  Even when "Montrail" and "North Face" appear in front of the name.  Mehopes the Leadville model does not portend the future.

No one other than ultrarunners are going to understand what you do.  Talk about family things with your family, talk about running with your running friends.  If the family gets too negative, bake them one of these.

 

Wise words there

I only bring running up if someone mentions it and even then I look for the signal to shut up if I get to passionite! Also as I have lost weight in the last 3 months (6ft2 and down to 12 stones from 12'10) my family and wife always comment on how skinny or ill I look. I have just learnt to filter that out by way of saying this is me and that I am comfortable with it.

My biggest issue has been trying to manage the inevitable conflict of committing to training and spending time at weekend with family, still working on that one

I think it's assumed family and friends who are not ultra runners won't get it (though I am very lucky in this regard... my family just thinks of me somewhat like a low degree addict and I have some friends who are proud even) but the ironman thing reminded me...

I was in class at the gym and the teacher and another class member were training for an Ironman.  When it got out I wanted to do a 100 mile, people were freaking out and calling me insane... Including the teacher.  I was like, uhh, we're both doing more than a marathon and you're paying waaaayyyy more for the privilege of beating yourself up.