100 mile Ultramarathon Training

[PSDBowhunter]

I've contemplated running a 100 mile ultramarathon for years. Mainly to see if I had the mental toughness to finish one. I've decided do sign up for one next August. That gives me a solid 14 months of training. I've ran a handful of 50k's in the past and paced on longer races (100k and 100 miles).

I wanted to see how many guys on here have done a 100 mile race and what advice you would have. I'm also curious to see how that training factored into your hunting fitness. I am planning on a diy elk hunt next fall as well.

 

[Coach Chris]

I train professional ultra-endurance mountain sports athletes
Good Journey!

 

[mtbraun]

You may want to consider a structured training program, perhaps even a coach. At least until you figure out the process and decide you want to do more races. I used a coach for 18 months until I got everything dialed in and now do all my own training plans.

As far as benefit, my base aerobic fitness is very beneficial to any outdoor activity, including hunting. I would recommend lifting while you are training for the hundo. Lifting is easily pushed to the side when putting in the kind of miles needed to have a positive 100 mile experience. Don't short change yourself there.

 

[Ucsdryder]

That sounds terrible.

 

[Eagle]

I’ve ran a 100, 60 and a 50k. The 50 and 60k are mild compared to the 100. Something happens around mile 50 it seems, haha.

My feet are the weak point, or were the weak point on my 100k. Blisters started at the 50 mile mark and the last 13 miles weren’t very fun. That race was in August in the muggy Midwest (southern Illinois) and I did not do a good job of sweat and sock management. It was my first ultra, and I haven’t had a blister since that race due to better sweat/sock management. I’ll eventually give a 100 miler a try, just not sure when that’ll be.

Training wise, I think once you have a good base of 40ish miles a week, it’s just a matter of doing longer runs of 20-30 miles once every couple weeks to build up your feet and get a feel for how your body responds to the mileage and pounding.

Road running for mileage is convenient, but you HAVE to get the long runs in on trails to get your lower leg muscles accustomed to the fatigue they will experience. Trail running and road running are very different animals when it comes to lower leg stabilizing muscle recruitment.

Once you’ve proven to yourself you can do those 30 mile training runs, it’s all just mental from there. Have some books on tape and some good earbuds with great battery life and a good headlamp and just go out there and enjoy the journey.

 

[PSDBowhunter]

I train professional ultra-endurance mountain sports athletes
Good Journey!

Good deal. I'll have to shoot you a message maybe with some more in depth questions about that.

 

[PSDBowhunter]

You may want to consider a structured training program, perhaps even a coach. At least until you figure out the process and decide you want to do more races. I used a coach for 18 months until I got everything dialed in and now do all my own training plans.

As far as benefit, my base aerobic fitness is very beneficial to any outdoor activity, including hunting. I would recommend lifting while you are training for the hundo. Lifting is easily pushed to the side when putting in the kind of miles needed to have a positive 100 mile experience. Don't short change yourself there.

Yes, definitely plan on lifting still. I have a pretty decent base with pullups/pushups/squats. I want to be able to ruck with weight as well. I'm not planning on winning, but want to be able to finish and feel strong.

 

[PSDBowhunter]

That sounds terrible.

Haha! It definitely won't be easy. I heard a quote on a podcast the other day that made me laugh. "If it isn't miserable, it isn't memorable."

 

[TxxAgg]

How old are you? Just curious.

I want to follow along. Love this type of thing.

 

[PSDBowhunter]

I’ve ran a 100, 60 and a 50k. The 50 and 60k are mild compared to the 100. Something happens around mile 50 it seems, haha.

My feet are the weak point, or were the weak point on my 100k. Blisters started at the 50 mile mark and the last 13 miles weren’t very fun. That race was in August in the muggy Midwest (southern Illinois) and I did not do a good job of sweat and sock management. It was my first ultra, and I haven’t had a blister since that race due to better sweat/sock management. I’ll eventually give a 100 miler a try, just not sure when that’ll be.

Training wise, I think once you have a good base of 40ish miles a week, it’s just a matter of doing longer runs of 20-30 miles once every couple weeks to build up your feet and get a feel for how your body responds to the mileage and pounding.

Road running for mileage is convenient, but you HAVE to get the long runs in on trails to get your lower leg muscles accustomed to the fatigue they will experience. Trail running and road running are very different animals when it comes to lower leg stabilizing muscle recruitment.

Once you’ve proven to yourself you can do those 30 mile training runs, it’s all just mental from there. Have some books on tape and some good earbuds with great battery life and a good headlamp and just go out there and enjoy the journey.

Good info. I've done five 50k's now, but it's been a few years. The big unknown is how my body will respond to the longer distances.

I'm around a 30 mile/week base right now. Looking to ramp that up. I have a 24 mile trail run I'm signed up for in September, then a 50k in April, a 100k in June, and the 100 miler next August. The 50k, 100k, and 100 miler are considered the triple crown of PA trail running.

I live in Northcentral PA where all these races take place, so I can run those trails on weekends within reason. My daily training is right from my driveway down the road and up onto state gamelands. I can get an out and back of 5 miles with 1,000' of gain. I just repeat sections or the whole thing for more mileage or elevation as needed.

I read the book Training for the Uphill Athlete the other month. Been really focused on building the engine with zone 1/zone 2 training.

 

[PSDBowhunter]

How old are you? Just curious.

I want to follow along. Love this type of thing.

I turn 37 next month.

Never considered myself a runner growing up. Got into lifting in college. Once I got married I started running and crewing my brother in law for his races. Have tried to have a more balanced/efficient workout since kids came along and time has been more limited.

I really think the ups and downs you experience in an event like an ultra are relatable to life lessons and preserving when things get tough.

 

[COLD SMOKE]

Sounds like you got a good plan

And I’m fresh to longer distance running in the past 2 years and am having
issues with feet as well . My toenails are getting accustomed. I got my 1st marathon in October. Shooting for under 4:30 . It’s at elevation (6k ). And for me that will be a good challenge.

Going to sign up for a 50 miler ( at sea level) in Feb for my bday. I know I got it just have to keep training. I’d like to continue to ramp up once I know I can do 50.

Any advice is always appreciated.( especially with toe/foot issues

run trails 80%
in hoka speed goats but am switching back to altra Mont Blanc to see if the wider toe box helps with my toes.

 

[eamyrick]

Good luck. I’ve learned alot from the Science if Ultra Podcast after I decided to do a 50 a few months ago. Biggest takeaway so far for me is to not push the training if work/life cuts into my sleep. I’m also training for an open water swim so doing both plus lifting has been a bit more than I thought. After August I’m going to push the run weeks over 30 and go from there.

 

[mtbraun]

I turn 37 next month.

Never considered myself a runner growing up. Got into lifting in college. Once I got married I started running and crewing my brother in law for his races. Have tried to have a more balanced/efficient workout since kids came along and time has been more limited.

I really think the ups and downs you experience in an event like an ultra are relatable to life lessons and preserving when things get tough.

The experience of a hundo is the ultimate metaphor for life.

 

[PSDBowhunter]

Sounds like you got a good plan

And I’m fresh to longer distance running in the past 2 years and am having
issues with feet as well . My toenails are getting accustomed. I got my 1st marathon in October. Shooting for under 4:30 . It’s at elevation (6k ). And for me that will be a good challenge.

Going to sign up for a 50 miler ( at sea level) in Feb for my bday. I know I got it just have to keep training. I’d like to continue to ramp up once I know I can do 50.

Any advice is always appreciated.( especially with toe/foot issues

run trails 80%
in hoka speed goats but am switching back to altra Mont Blanc to see if the wider toe box helps with my toes.

I've really liked Altras. I have tried a handful and always come back to the Lone Peak's.

 

[TheViking]

Love this! Go for it. I am on an Ultra Marathon journey myself right now. I ran a 50k in May and I have a 50 miler in 1.5 weeks. We will see what's next, but a 100 is on my bucket list.

 

[PSDBowhunter]

Good luck. I’ve learned alot from the Science if Ultra Podcast after I decided to do a 50 a few months ago. Biggest takeaway so far for me is to not push the training if work/life cuts into my sleep. I’m also training for an open water swim so doing both plus lifting has been a bit more than I thought. After August I’m going to push the run weeks over 30 and go from there.

I'll have to check that podcast out.

Definitely agree on sleep and trying to find the balance of pushing myself without overtraining.

 

[mtwarden]

Just a little motivation; my friend who turns 69 this year just finished his 30-ish hundred mile race (including 8 Hardrock finishes; he's also finished at Western States and Leadville) this past weekend—the Copper King 100

Never too old

 

[eamyrick]

I've really liked Altras. I have tried a handful and always come back to the Lone Peak's.

I split my runs between the Mont Blancs and Lone Peaks (with a green superfeet insole). I feel like time in both shoes helps reduce little pains.

 

[PSDBowhunter]

Just a little motivation; my friend who turns 69 this year just finished his 30-ish hundred mile race (including 8 Hardrock finishes; he's also finished at Western States and Leadville) this past weekend—the Copper King 100

Never too old

I told myself one and done on the 100 mile races, but you never know. I hope to be that active wheel I'm his age!