Hi all,
I've been lurking around here for a while last year. This year, I plan to run my first ultra and I am super excited. Right now I'm deciding between this 50 miler:
http://www.uberendurancesports.com/Dirtygerman.html
And this 50K:
http://www2.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge/races/2011/ny/index.html
I've narrowed it down to these two based on dates and location (I live in NJ). I really would like to do a 50 miler, but the Bear Mountain one seems too challenging in both elevation and terrain to be my first. The Dirty German is relatively flat and not technical at all. Does it makes sense to go for a 50 miler right away, or is it wiser for me to start with a 50K? What was your first ultra?
Thanks!
2012 Goals:
Easy: Half PR 1:36:28, Highest weekly mileage 65, Highest monthly mileage 243
Medium: 60 mile week 65
Hard:
Crazy Hard:
What are you looking for?
Just the name alone I would do the Dirty German + The Northface is a big organization - putting on a big race - More likely a circus.
http://a-big-horse.blogspot.com/
2012 Goals ~ Mar < 3:00 2:56:07, 1/2M < 1:25, 50k < 5 hours 3:44:20, 24 hour > 145 miles
When I do a 50k or 50M I am looking for #1) a fun run #2) Nice technical trails #3) Hilly trails #4) Beauty of trails #5) Low key relaxed event #6) lower cost - Not necissarly in that order.
I went from Marathon to 50M.
Welcome!
I started with a 50k, but there is nothing wrong with a 50M fine for getting into ultras.
Of the 2 you listed, by far I would prefer the Dirty German. Looks like a really fun event.
I agree with DB about the circus at TNF. With lots of different races and relays it's going to be a little crowded on the trails. If that's what you're looking for then cool, but personally I prefer a little solitude during a long race.
Thanks for the responses! I guess part of my problem is I don't know exactly what I'm looking for. I've never ran a trail race, an ultra, or anything with serious elevation change. At this point, I'm probably leaning more toward the Dirty German, although there is a part of me that is afraid to tackle the 50 mile distance. Plus there is the issue of convincing my wife I'm going to be OK.
The other issue is with hilly ultras, there are obvious places to walk when it's steep, but with a relatively flat 50 miler, I don't imagine I'll be able to run the whole way. Should I factor in some walking from the get go? My goal at this point would be just to finish, but I would rather run as much as I can.
Giddyup.
FWIW, I ran North Face Madison this year. Kind of expecting the worst.
Yes, Dean was there. Yes, when they asked "who is running their first ultra??", the majority of hands were raised.
That said, it was a damn cool event that turned out to be nothing like a circus. Interesting course. Well marked. Good aid stations. Not too crowded. Start/finish not a zoo. And while I generally send most of my race shirts to goodwill, I like my NF shirt a lot. It is, as you might guess, a shirt made by North Face. No ads. And the race logo is a verrrry subtle circle on the shoulder. All in all, it is basically a high quality running shirt that I would consider purchasing.
Thumbs up. I'd run it again. (that said... NF had a very rocky relationship with various entities when they held a race in the Seattle area. Which is why they don't anymore.)
You should know that in the North Face lineup, the NY race is considered to be quite challenging (way harder than DC and Madison)
Ultima tastes like failure.
Thanks for the responses! I guess part of my problem is I don't know exactly what I'm looking for. I've never ran a trail race, an ultra, or anything with serious elevation change. At this point, I'm probably leaning more toward the Dirty German, although there is a part of me that is afraid to tackle the 50 mile distance. Plus there is the issue of convincing my wife I'm going to be OK. The other issue is with hilly ultras, there are obvious places to walk when it's steep, but with a relatively flat 50 miler, I don't imagine I'll be able to run the whole way. Should I factor in some walking from the get go? My goal at this point would be just to finish, but I would rather run as much as I can.
It looks like there was a 50k distance also at your dirty german.
My wife made me take out life insurance before I ran my first ultra. (for real)
In an ultra, no-one cares if you walk when it's flat. Plus with trails, there are usually some walky parts due to the roots/rocks, etc.
FWIW, I ran North Face Madison this year. Kind of expecting the worst. Yes, Dean was there. Yes, when they asked "who is running their first ultra??", the majority of hands were raised. That said, it was a damn cool event that turned out to be nothing like a circus. Interesting course. Well marked. Good aid stations. Not too crowded. Start/finish not a zoo. And while I generally send most of my race shirts to goodwill, I like my NF shirt a lot. It is, as you might guess, a shirt made by North Face. No ads. And the race logo is a verrrry subtle circle on the shoulder. All in all, it is basically a high quality running shirt that I would consider purchasing. Thumbs up. I'd run it again. (that said... NF had a very rocky relationship with various entities when they held a race in the Seattle area. Which is why they don't anymore.) You should know that in the North Face lineup, the NY race is considered to be quite challenging (way harder than DC and Madison)
Thanks for sharing. I remembered reading a race report from someone that ran the one in Georgia and that it was all about DK signing autographs. I just reread it and he actually did recommend the race, although he called the atmosphere similar to a carnival but without rides.
© 2012 RunningAHEAD.com. All rights reserved. | Privacy