Ultramarathons - Anyone done one?

[Sarkmeister]

Afternoon all

In order to stop myself turning into a unfit blob, I'm looking for a fitness target for mid next year. In the last 2 or 3 years I have done the London marathon, London to Paris bike ride, and a couple of half marathons. I am by no means quick, having done the marathon in 4:47 and the halves in 1:50ish.

I've seen a 40mile "ultramarathon" in the Peak District that I would like to do, but don't know if this is realistic.

Does anyone here take part in these? Is it a realistic target?

I'm sure I could get up to the right fitness, it's just I wouldnt be particularly quick. Are they just full of super fit people? I'd really not want to come last.

Apart from these, has anyone got any suggestions of an event? I'd prefer something that is just one day, and involves cycling or running. I'd like to have to push myself to do this, so it should be a bit more difficult than a marathon. fell running could be an option...

Cheers

[freecar]

Ironman triathlon.


HTH!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ironman_Triathlon

[Sarkmeister]

mmmm... Bit more "challenging" than I was thinking.

[freecar]

I thought it might be!

How about a normal triathlon?

[Sarkmeister]

The swimming puts me off a bit to be honest. I can swim, just not particularly quickly.

[Lemmonie]

Beauty of a triathlon is that you dont have be be super fast at all events. I am a slow swimmer, usualy breaststoke only and im not a fast runner either BUT im uber fast on a bike so i ramp it up then and overall I end up with a half decent time

[Sarkmeister]

Lemmonie said:

Beauty of a triathlon is that you dont have be be super fast at all events. I am a slow swimmer, usualy breaststoke only and im not a fast runner either BUT im uber fast on a bike so i ramp it up then and overall I end up with a half decent time

A triathlon is definitely an option. What length would be the best to do (assuming the harder than marathon requirement)?

Obviously I would do a shorter one for practice a month or so before.

[Ayahuasca]

Come down to Panama - we are hosting the Interamerican Hash in 2013 that will include a 40km tropical jungle mountain fell run. Just the thing!

[996 sps]

Sarkmeister said:

Afternoon all

In order to stop myself turning into a unfit blob, I'm looking for a fitness target for mid next year. In the last 2 or 3 years I have done the London marathon, London to Paris bike ride, and a couple of half marathons. I am by no means quick, having done the marathon in 4:47 and the halves in 1:50ish.

I've seen a 40mile "ultramarathon" in the Peak District that I would like to do, but don't know if this is realistic.

Does anyone here take part in these? Is it a realistic target?

I'm sure I could get up to the right fitness, it's just I wouldnt be particularly quick. Are they just full of super fit people? I'd really not want to come last.

Apart from these, has anyone got any suggestions of an event? I'd prefer something that is just one day, and involves cycling or running. I'd like to have to push myself to do this, so it should be a bit more difficult than a marathon. fell running could be an option...

Cheers

Mate i've never done 40 milers however used to regulary complete 30 milers on Dartmoor with 36lb in just under 8 hours, so i'm 10 miles down there however what I will say is you have completed a marathon and half marathons you know your legs are up to that distance/time therefore I don't think your being unrealistic. Especially middle of next year plenty of time to train, I know the theory of long steady distance intermixed with a minimum of 2/3 speed sessions but i'm a great believer of time in the legs, for me the mind is what carries the body when you start talking distance and hard inlcines, some great routes down here in Brecon for training for that. If I was you i'd be excited at the chance to bag a 40miler get out there and focus, imagine the feeling you'll get when you finish that one. Amazing.

[Laner]

Were you talking about the high peak 40? Great event allsorts enter. I finished 96th out of 200 finishers.

[Sarkmeister]

Cheers mate. In a very sad way I think I actually enjoy the training, so getting the miles in is part of the appeal.

The main driver though is the feeling at the end. I remember how nice the first pint felt after the marathon, so it should taste even better after 40 miles.

[996 sps]

Sarkmeister said:

Cheers mate. In a very sad way I think I actually enjoy the training, so getting the miles in is part of the appeal.

The main driver though is the feeling at the end. I remember how nice the first pint felt after the marathon, so it should taste even better after 40 miles.

Exactly, that feeling of being tired but on a high, then the first pint just tastes oh so sweet.