You could show up on the 25th, but the 22nd would probably work out better.

Here are last years results.

I wouldn't say I'm experienced, so here are my thoughts, but not necessarily advice.

You get a "special" inscription for going under 9 hours. If you're going to run 50 miles you want something special, so that should be the upper limit as far as goals go. The winner last year was way ahead of everyone else, but top 5 looks wide open. You could aim for 7:30 and if top 5 is within reach in the last couple miles, you'd be in reach at least last year. 50 is a long damn way, especially if you're really racing it on your first attempt. I realized at Howl that I watched several people get 5 or 6 miles ahead of me only to see them crash soon too. 

I'm interested in what the experienced folks would recommend I try for in terms of pace/finish time?  Typical easy run pace has stayed in the 6:35-7:00 range.

 

I'm going through the ultra nutrition threads....they have a few stocked aid stations and a bag drop for the 25-mile turnaround.  I'm thinking to stock for 400-500cal/hr and go from there.

 

Due to my upcoming vacation HM this weekend and a HM I'm likely to run on 10/2, it is unlikely I will get to do any specific training like a 4-hr run as I'd be 2 weeks out before I got the chance.  I'm assuming that's too close to be useful for anything but practicing fueling.

 

Thoughts?

I can run 50 milers at my slower Easy long run pace - So if I am 7:45-8:15 Easy long run pace - I can hit 8-8:15.  I would suggest being conservative and stick in the 7-7:15 range for 30 miles.  I you still feel good then 6:45-7:00 for next 10 miles and if you still feel good bring it home the last.  For me the difficulty starts the last 10-15 miles - It becomes a lot of work to run "Easy Pace"

How are you carrying H20? 

How do you plan to get calories?

I would take s-caps even if cold - if ideal weather 50-55 - I would take 1 per hour or 1 per 90 minutes.

Don't screw with the 4 hour run 2 weeks prior - A nice 20 miler at your goal pace is the furthest I would attempt.

**  7 pace = 5 hours and 50 minutes ... that would be a heck of a debut - It may lead to a crash and burn - Maybe target 6 hours  = 7:12 pace.  Either way the key is to remain smooth and easy for at least 35 miles.  I do not really look at a watch - I just run smooth and easy.

How are you carrying H20? 

 

How do you plan to get calories?

 

I would take s-caps even if cold - if ideal weather 50-55 - I would take 1 per hour or 1 per 90 minutes.

 

Don't screw with the 4 hour run 2 weeks prior - A nice 20 miler at your goal pace is the furthest I would attempt.

 

**  7 pace = 5 hours and 50 minutes ... that would be a heck of a debut - It may lead to a crash and burn - Maybe target 6 hours  = 7:12 pace.  Either way the key is to remain smooth and easy for at least 35 miles.  I do not really look at a watch - I just run smooth and easy.

I'm debating between a couple handheld bottle or a Camelback (I have one that would work well).  I don't really like the weight in my hands and I know it affects my pace a bit....I don't like the constant sloshing in the Camelback but it doesn't affect my pace as much from what little I've ran with it.

I have plenty of S-Caps left.

Calories I'm looking at a mixture of Gus, bananas, Endurox, and real food (PB&J sandwichX2?) at the 25-mile turnaround.  All I have experience with is Gus.  Even at the much higher intensity level of a marathon I've never had a problem with them.  As long as I am not running hard and am not running after a LARGE meal, I very rarely have any problems running with food in my stomach.

Honestly my first thought was to target 6 hours.  I don't want to waste the effort being overly conservative on an "easy" course, but I don't want to be crawling 20 miles after crashing either.  As I thought about it in my head, I was also thinking 35 mileas at around 7min/mile should be a given and it's after that where I would get in trouble.  Have never run over 26.2 in my life but doing 23-mile training runs with people well slower than me (7:30-8:00 pace) has been very easy and I had a lot left after that, even without fueling.

PS - Don't get chicked

GUMMY BEARS ! And Smarties. Yeah, load up at the dollar store. I keep Muscle Milk at drops for protein, but if you define protein loosely enough, Slin Jims work. I love my S!caps for salt.

Damn, that 50 looks tempting.

 I have other goals right now.

I have other goals right now.

I have other goals right now.

I have other goals right now.

I have other goals right now.

I have other goals right now.

Totally ignoring that page because I have other goals right now.

Although, if I look at this another way, this could fit into that goal scheme....

DAMN YOU ANDYPANTS! DAMN YOU ALL TO H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS!

Ok, time for me to lay off the caffeine for a bit.

!..

Reading another article about the Gingerich dude. I like the way he rolls

The day before the race, after their pre-Badwater tradition of breakfast at a Las Vegas Denny's, they visit Wal-Mart to load up on snacks to help keep Gingerich going: bananas, canned beef ravioli, applesauce, fruit snacks, granola bars, beef jerky, Pringles, Skittles, diet soda and pimento-stuffed manzanilla olives.

That night, as Gingerich stands in his Death Valley hotel room making duct-tape handles for water bottles, he is feeling anxious. He has run 6,500 miles since his last Badwater, and logged hundreds of hours running in place in the sauna. But will it be enough?

It looks like this idea is gaining traction at home...it appears I may be about to do something stupid.