"Ignoramus24281" wrote
Quoted message said:On April 2, there is going to be a 50 k race. It will be relatively
inexpensive, only $35. I am considering participating in it, not
necessarily with the intent to finish -- although it is remotely
possible that I would be able to finish -- but with the intent to see
how far can I jog before I am compelled to stop.
If you walk all the hills, and/or, walk 5 min/jog 15, you will surprise
yourself.
Start at the end, and hang out and emulate the others. Thie means eating
carbs, fat and protein along the way -- don't worry, you won't even eat
enough to compensate for the calories consumed in the race -- 3100-4000,
depending on your weight.
Most competitive and elite ultra runners I know eat and drink about 300
cals/hour.
It's all about nutrition, fluid replacement, salt replacement, and pacing.
Common rookie mistakes are not drinking and eating enough and going out too
hard. Even though I'd read and talked with the pros, I still messed up for
several races before I figured it out -- too focused on speed and place.
In an ultra, you can totally die or cramp up, then rest, walk, eat and
drink, get some caffeine, and come to life again. Someone can be 15 minutes
ahead of you at mile 20, and you can get 'em at 30 if he messes up. It's
pretty amazing.
I agree with Donovan's concerns about logistics of dropping, but my money
says you'll be able to cover more ground than he suggests, if you approach
it with the ultra mind-set.
Quoted message said:Would you think that this is an idea that is somehow terribly
detrimental to my life or plans to run the fall Chicago marathon?
This will be a slow, tiring plod, or maybe an enjoyable one, if you find
good conversation along the way. Many finishers of 50 milers don't run much
more than 40 mpw (although they do longer runs and have lots of experience
under their belt).
You're unlikely to break anything or wreck your year. I find 50ks (on dirt
or trails) much easier to recover from than road marathons. Heck, if you've
got some good beer, you might even talk Doug into pacing you...
-- Dan