I have been kicking around the idea of doing an Ultra for a few years now.  This year, my goal races came down to either doing a Fall marathon or doing an ultra, and since my wife kind of shut down the idea of doing the Philly marathon I am thinking I'll give the ultra a try.

Currently I am in training for a 5K at the end of May.  I run about 40-50 miles per week, usually with one longish run of 14 miles.  Given that I want to continue training for a good 5K, and that there is a 12 hour ultra at the end of July (Around the Lake 12 hour ultra in Wakefield, MA) - is the 8-9 weeks between my 5K and the ultra enough time to get ready for it? 

It is a super-flat course run around lake Quannpowitt - about a 3.2 mile loop on mostly pavement and cement with one small section of dirt road.  My goal would really be to just finish out the full 12 hours. 

Any advice would be helpful

Thanks in advance

Jeff

I can do that - unfortunately have to look for a new race.  DW just informed me that we are on vacation the week of the race i was planning to do.

You can come to WI and run circle on a 400 meter track for 6-12 or 24 hours on September 1st -http://www.badgerlandstriders.org/home/Races/Badgerland24126HourRun.htm

You can come to WI and run circle on a 400 meter track for 6-12 or 24 hours on September 1st -http://www.badgerlandstriders.org/home/Races/Badgerland24126HourRun.htm

Wow,that sounds... mind-numbing.  I think I would lose my mind getting passed that many times in a day.  At least the one in Wakefield was a 3 mile loop so I probably wouldnt even notice when I got passed by the same person a second or third time.  But on a track, I might have to trip someone if they were passing me for the 15th time.

FANS in a 24 hour loop - When I set the course record I was passed 3-4 times by 5 runners and a 1-2 times by many more.  Timed races are about knowing what you correct pace is to get the most out of the whole 6 or 12 or 24 hours not to run hard for 1/2 the time and either give up or shuffle slower than shit for the 2nd 1/2.

I do want to do a track 24 sometime - not sure when - as a rule WG and I are only allowed at the same race a max of 2x a year and it looks like we may be at max already this year - So Desert Solstice would be out.

Wow,that sounds... mind-numbing.  I think I would lose my mind getting passed that many times in a day.  At least the one in Wakefield was a 3 mile loop so I probably wouldnt even notice when I got passed by the same person a second or third time.  But on a track, I might have to trip someone if they were passing me for the 15th time.

I was being a smart ass - I will worry about that bridge when I decide to cross it.

The only issue is I so hate 24 hour races - They tear apart the fabric of my being - Body and Soul.

Now give me a good 50 mile trail race or hell even a road race - That I can run, enjoy and still drink beer afterward.