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50 miler (Read 794 times)


Marathonmanleto

    Can anyone recommend a good midwest race in the late summer early fall timeframe? I'm new to ultras and am looking for a good starter race.


    You'll ruin your knees!

      Well, let's see...where to start. Don't know if you consider South Dakota the midwest, but in late August, there is a race on the Deadwood/Mickelson trail called the Lean Horse Ultra, run on an old rail-road bed. It offers 50 and 100 mile events and provides some incredible scenery without the altitude and hills. Link - http://www.leanhorse.com/ In Minnesota, take a look at http://www.voyageurtrailrun.com/. This one looks good at first glance, but I don't know anything about it other than the website. Fenton, MO offers a 6/12 hour race on a 1.4 mile asphalt loop in September if you are not into trail running...link - http://www.stlouisultrarunnersgroup.net/flatlander/flatlanders.htm If southern Kansas is good for you try http://www.flatrock50.com/. I've run this one (it's a 50K, not a 50 miler) and the KUS folks put on a great race! If you want to get more specific about location or timing, let me know what you're thinking and I'll see what I can do! Good luck, Lynn B

      ""...the truth that someday, you will go for your last run. But not today—today you got to run." - Matt Crownover (after Western States)


      Marathonmanleto

        Hey Lynn, Thanks for the info. I am hoping to stay a bit closer to home--Michigan that is, but will check out the websites.


        You'll ruin your knees!

          Well, OK then! I've heard great things about Dances With Dirt in Hell, MI found at http://www.danceswithdirt.com/ a little more than an hour's drive west of Detroit. Also in MI is the North Country Trail Run held in the Manistee National Forest (West-Central MI)...link is http://www.stridersrun.com/races.htm Good luck, Lynn

          ""...the truth that someday, you will go for your last run. But not today—today you got to run." - Matt Crownover (after Western States)


          Marathonmanleto

            Now that's more likeit! I'll start there. Someone also told mw to subscribe to Ultra Mag for there calendar. Thanks. Joe


            You'll ruin your knees!

              Don't know about Ultra Mag, but Ultrarunning is a great resource, with pretty complete regional calendars. They recently had a great write-up on the Superior 100, held in Michigan! Here is a link... http://www.ultrarunning.com/ultra/index.shtml Enjoy! (man, am I full of it or what???) Lynn B

              ""...the truth that someday, you will go for your last run. But not today—today you got to run." - Matt Crownover (after Western States)

              Mile Collector


              Abs of Flabs

                Enjoy! (man, am I full of it or what???)
                Lynn, you're full of knowledge about ultras! I couldn't possibly answer any ultra questions because I know nothing about running more than 5 hours. Big grin
                addictedrunner


                  Hey jlynnbob, If you're full of information about ultras, it sounds like you have the expertise that I'm looking for! Wink I've registered for Dances with Dirt (the 50 miler) and it's my first ultra ever after having run a couple marathons. Shocked My question has to do with training runs vs long runs. During long runs, I know that people emphasize "time on feet" . So, if I have a 29 mile run slated for that day, I likely would be walking a portion of it. What about training runs, then? If I am planning to run 9 miles on any given day, and I spend about an hour and a half on my feet (I'm really, really slow) but part of that is walking, does it still count toward training or am I cheating myself? One more question...I'm currently looking at Runner's World ultra plan (for a 50 miler) to help me train, since I'm not really sure how do go about this. Do you know of any more actual training plans for a 50 miler that I could access? I've been looking on the web, and I found exactly nothing. Thanks! AR


                  You'll ruin your knees!

                    AR, First of all, awesome job with DWD! Jumping from the mary to a 50 miler is a whole 'nuther ball game! I would say that if you were moving up to the 50K, your marathon training is probably adequate, just try and move more of the long stuff to terrain as similar to the actual target race as possible. Here is a web resource...http://www.hillcountrytrailrunners.com/hctr_training.shtml Additionally, a great resource is the forum at http://forums.runnersworld.com/. Go to that link and navigate to "TRAIL/ULTRA FORUMS" Lots of talented trail runners there and a great place to make friends who love the trails! Go check it out and feel free to post your plans for DWD and get feedback from others. You'll find some folks on there that have run DWD and probably plan on running it when you do! It is really cool to get to know someone on the forum and then meet them at a race! Definitely plan on some walking for the long runs, but also, definitely plan on getting as much of that on the trails as possible. You'll find that the trails often provide a good indicator of when it's appropriate to walk/not run! For the shorter runs, if on trails, fine to walk the hills, but try and walk less than on the long runs. The only way to cheat yourself is to stay in bed! Best of luck to you and maybe I'll see you on the RW forum, Lynn B

                    ""...the truth that someday, you will go for your last run. But not today—today you got to run." - Matt Crownover (after Western States)