Hello all I have been running for about 7 months (ran from 2003-06 before 9 month hiatus) and am currently in shape to complete marathon to 50k. I would like to complete a 50 miler in the spring / summer and the 72 mile Tahoe Ultra September 28, 2008. At this point I am running 35-45 mpw. I know I could easily stretch my midweek runs to 8-10 miles/day. Not sure if that is ideal or if I should stretch the weekend runs. I have looked at a few "ultra sites" but there is no real consistent message and not sure if there is a method of training that has worked well for other ultra newbs much like the numerous Marathon Guru training programs. I will be running marathons /half marathons every month (another goal) so I am quite comfortable that I can run tat distance every couple weeks (at training pace of course). Thanks for any direction that can help me begin planning 3-6 month training program.

Everybody will have different advice so take everything with a grain of salt. What's best for me might be a disaster for you. The one nuggest I'll give is your long run will need to get longer, but you want the remainder of your week to be able to support that long run. Don't continue to lengthen the long run but keep the rest of the week where you're at today, it becomes far too stressful. It looks like you've got the right idea by lengthening the midweek run first. Best of luck!

I can see this thread is going to be helpful. I am going to be running my first ultra in May and, needless to say, I'm nervous. What're your opinions regarding running "hours" for your long run as opposed to running "miles?" I alread incorporate the run/walk method by powering walking the hills.

Hello all I have been running for about 7 months (ran from 2003-06 before 9 month hiatus) and am currently in shape to complete marathon to 50k. I would like to complete a 50 miler in the spring / summer and the 72 mile Tahoe Ultra September 28, 2008. At this point I am running 35-45 mpw. I know I could easily stretch my midweek runs to 8-10 miles/day. Not sure if that is ideal or if I should stretch the weekend runs. I have looked at a few "ultra sites" but there is no real consistent message and not sure if there is a method of training that has worked well for other ultra newbs much like the numerous Marathon Guru training programs. I will be running marathons /half marathons every month (another goal) so I am quite comfortable that I can run tat distance every couple weeks (at training pace of course). Thanks for any direction that can help me begin planning 3-6 month training program.

7 months isn't that long, but I'll take for granted your comment about being in shape to complete mary/50K and build on that. I like to do things I like to do. That means I don't like a lot of structure in my training, I like to run. If I feel like going long, I go long. Obviously, life gets in the way much of the time. From what you offer about running marathons/half marathons every month, I suggest you find a way to match that distance on the day after or before the actual race. That is a great way to get your "back to back" runs in if you can work the schedule (again, you said you were running the races at training pace, so should be doable). If you can move your mid-week run up to higher mileage, that's great too. If not, you could consider adding a second run to your mid-week run to get more miles in the middle, so to speak. Best of luck with it, Steve an the others have covered some good advice here. Not all of us train the same way, I have not been good at back to backs historically, but believe they are a really solid approach. Probably the biggest change you will need to make is fueling on the run. The 50 mile race requires you find the key to getting calories in without distressing your stomach. This is trial and error and can only be done with practice...meaning experimenting on long training runs. Lynn B

I would like to complete the 72 mile Tahoe Ultra September 28, 2008.

I did the Lake Tahoe triple marathon last year. If you're interested you can find lots of pictures from the course around Lake Tahoe here. I personally recommend you to do the Tahoe ultra. It's a fantastic event. One small issue I would like to mention is that this event is run on streets and sometimes (as you can see at the pictures) very, very close to the cars who zoom by very fast. Ultra runners run at night and I could imagine having to be super extra careful in the dark so that one doesn't get run over by those maniac drivers.

Ultrarunner2, Those pics at Lake Tahoe are awesome! Makes me want to sign up for it! I have some running friends that have run that race too.

It is, by far, a superb and beautiful run. Unfortunately, I have to drive 8 hours to get there so I am not sure if I can make it this year again. But I sure want to. I might just go again and do the 72 mile ultra. Looks very, very good. LOL. Thanks for your message! And congratulation to your amazing finisher time of 3:44:41 in the PF Changs Rock n Roll Marathon race. You ROCK!