tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post6563892281436429841..comments2024-02-11T00:54:20.373-08:00Comments on A Trail Runner's Blog: Kicking Off 2009 at the Jed Smith 50kScott Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096284778835123584noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-55666260565590822782009-03-13T11:40:00.000-07:002009-03-13T11:40:00.000-07:00Haven't done an ultra in 10 years, but Gibson Ranc...Haven't done an ultra in 10 years, but Gibson Ranch was a favorite place - a lovely unique kind of change. I always enjoy your reports, Scott - will trade you five years of old-guy training tricks for five years of youth!George Beinhornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00475910636989632171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-85078379761800332942009-02-14T16:56:00.000-08:002009-02-14T16:56:00.000-08:00Thanks for the replies, I appreciate your time and...Thanks for the replies, I appreciate your time and will look at the sites. Thanks again, I will keep you posted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-45090947891790270702009-02-14T14:48:00.000-08:002009-02-14T14:48:00.000-08:00Thanks for including me and my "power strides" in ...Thanks for including me and my "power strides" in your blog, Scott. I think I saw you at your finish. I am going to make a point to be a little less shy and say hello next time, since you clearly know who I am. I will see you at WTC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-45529810157638349462009-02-13T21:00:00.000-08:002009-02-13T21:00:00.000-08:00Tony -That's great you are looking at running at u...Tony -<BR/><BR/>That's great you are looking at running at ultra! Although it is certainly possible to jump right into an ultra distance race, I would suggest easing your way into it with some shorter races. You will have to build up some long runs anyway, so you might as well hit a 30k, marathon, etc while building up to the 50k.<BR/><BR/>Jean is right to also pick your terrain. If it's a trail ultra, be sure to tackle a few races on the trails.<BR/><BR/>I would also suggest taking a look at the following:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.extremeultrarunning.com/1stultra.htm" REL="nofollow">David Horton's Tips for First Time Ultra Runners</A><BR/><A HREF="http://team.inov-8.us/2008/10/running-your-first-ultra.html" REL="nofollow">Anne Lundblad's Tips</A><BR/><A HREF="http://www.ultrunr.com/" REL="nofollow">Kevin Sayer's Tips</A><BR/><BR/>Hope that helps!<BR/><BR/>SDScott Dunlaphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16096284778835123584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-54756646438730153682009-02-13T18:05:00.000-08:002009-02-13T18:05:00.000-08:00Tony, that's quite an open topic and I'm sure Scot...Tony, that's quite an open topic and I'm sure Scott will give you great pointers (he may be on the plane somewhere over the US for not having responded yet, or closing on a large business deal ;-).<BR/>IMO, it's more natural to go progressively by setting intermediate goals (30K, marathon, 50K, ...). You will read and find out by yourself that the human body has been meant to run long distances, yet we have to "re-train" it, so don't go for 100 miles without enjoying the satisfaction of completing the intermediate steps.<BR/>Another important question is trail versus road, not necessarily the distance (sub vs ultra). Trail running is where the conviviality starts, which you don't find in most road races. And, yes, trail running is more diverse by nature, and more convivial due to the usual limited number of participants and the focus on the environment.<BR/><BR/>Now, in terms of training plan, you start finding some on the web and magazines (e.g. <A HREF="http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244--12520-0,00.html" REL="nofollow">Runner's World's 50-miler training plan</A>). Keep in mind though that one of the ultra running joys is to experiment by yourself and, unlike for shorter distances, what works for some may not be the best for you. Depending on your ability but more importantly your goals and life style.<BR/><BR/>BTW, here is a great book to start with: <A HREF="http://www.ultrarunning.com/ultra/merchandise/a-step-beyonda-definitive.shtml" REL="nofollow">A Step Beyond: A definitive Guide to Ultrarunning</A>.<BR/><BR/>Jean.Jean Pommierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12590228467214315945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-69954059610997165692009-02-13T13:14:00.000-08:002009-02-13T13:14:00.000-08:00What is the recommended time frame, years running,...What is the recommended time frame, years running, and running mileage, per week, before someone should take on an Ultra race. I have not run a marathon, two 1/2 marathons. The Ultras just seem more fun, due to the diverse terrain and course structures, versus running a marathon. Thoughts. Anyone?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-27366903013885657282009-02-12T18:59:00.000-08:002009-02-12T18:59:00.000-08:00Braje KILLED it. That's an incredible time!Braje KILLED it. That's an incredible time!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-77809064386796113602009-02-12T16:27:00.000-08:002009-02-12T16:27:00.000-08:00what a day! nice to have a first person account. ...what a day! nice to have a first person account. i was planning on running the 50k as well,but have been sidelined. the 30k was a blast last year, if a little muddy, and the volunteers ARE awesome! Great job, especially for not feeling so well!<BR/>And for Jean...wine at the finish of Napa cures all ills!!!slowrunner77https://www.blogger.com/profile/11965601824664643361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-69919232554250737672009-02-12T14:38:00.000-08:002009-02-12T14:38:00.000-08:00It was fun to see everyone, one way or another wit...It was fun to see everyone, one way or another with this lap format. Amazing the two of us just stayed out of sight for 4 hours, a few minutes apart all this time.<BR/>Looking forward to seeing you again at WTC (don't take your laptop in the car, ok?). In the meantime, keep the tread mill busy! And we'll see what I can do with shin splints at Napa... Do you think some wine at the finish can help?<BR/><BR/>Jean.<BR/><A HREF="http://fartherfaster.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Farther Faster</A>Jean Pommierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12590228467214315945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-77452526997724887862009-02-11T07:00:00.000-08:002009-02-11T07:00:00.000-08:00ScottExcellent write up; Jeff Hartley, who i work ...Scott<BR/><BR/>Excellent write up; Jeff Hartley, who i work with at Terracotta told me about you and your blog. I do mostly halfs and marathons but this write up almost has me thinking of going 50K. Almost!Members of the Data Revolution https://www.blogger.com/profile/09561013281513438343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-23473660036019170732009-02-10T22:29:00.000-08:002009-02-10T22:29:00.000-08:00No offense, but the geese were my favorite part of...No offense, but the geese were my favorite part of the report. :)<BR/><BR/>All those finish times looked spectacular. 2009 race is officially under way!!Dave - Atlanta Trailshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13870521955679174148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-52091907084827105192009-02-10T20:36:00.000-08:002009-02-10T20:36:00.000-08:00Scott,I volunteered at the woodside run last weeke...Scott,<BR/><BR/>I volunteered at the woodside run last weekend. I helped out at the Scott Dunlap aid station. Thanks for being so generous. You missed a great run though. You're so lucky to have those beautiful trails as your back yard. See you at Miwok.<BR/><BR/>MarcoMarco Densonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00900699588695535342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-45801161910591413272009-02-10T18:39:00.000-08:002009-02-10T18:39:00.000-08:00I can't believe we were running the same race and ...I can't believe we were running the same race and I didn't know it! I've been following your blog for a while, and Jed Smith was my first venture into ultra territory. Parent health issues prevented me from training for most of January, but I completed the 50K and called it good. But it was great to hear the perspective of someone who was "racing" the race. Wish we could have met, though.<BR/><BR/>Have a great race season, Scott!lesliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11495166674226656034noreply@blogger.com