Started reading the stories in Breaking Through the Wall (think that's the title), and one guy talks about taking up upper-body weight training in preparation for a 100M. Why?

 

 

Also the guy from NC whose van failed talks about his sons treating his blisters at the aid station -- how does that work? Sounds like putting some type of patches onto them?

 

(PS: Not, mind you, that I'm going to run 100M, but I did just do my first trail 50K, and it was really fun, and the people were really laid back and fun. However, if we have a fire, I'll be better off jumping out my window than attempting to run down the stairs, the way my quads feel now.)

Thanks for all the information & opinions.

 

And - when's the next race??

 

 

Ha. It was a beautiful park, and has at least two other races in it. But, they include (#1) a 50M and (#2) a women's half.

 

While I am a runner, I actually can subtract, and figure out that 50K-26.2 << 50M-50K.

 

And I'm the wrong gender for the latter.

 

So although a number of friendly people tried to talk me into the 50M, it's not taking hold, at least not yet.

 

Also I putz about with short races a lot, and am involved with the trail series my club will do in the spring, and will probably do our local marathon in the spring as well.

 

So I'm not biting on that hook (next ultra) yet, no sirree.

 

One of the people I ran with (in my 50K) said she is training for Hardrock next year. It was funny, because she seemed like a normal human being up to the point that she said that....

To cross the finish line of a long ultra, you'll work every muscle in your body.

Some examples:

• Your lower back will need to be able to keep you upright for a long time.
• Your arms will be carrying stuff like maybe a water bottle, or at least will be moving, for hours.
• Your neck will need to continuously hold up that heavy thing on top of it.

Although I'm no longer into weight-room work, my firewood-gathering is more fun when I think of it  as ultra training.