Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Has anyone ever...

Run a relay as part of an ultra team? I am running the Ragnar Del Sol at the end of the month on an ultra team, meaning we are doing it with 6 people instead of 12. Yes I think that I am crazy! It is going to be a huge challenge! So I have run marathons and know how to train for those and am currently running 50 miles a week with a day of rest and a day of cross training. I don't really know how to train to run almost 38 miles over approx. 28 hours. Basically I run a half marathon, rest for about 8-10 hours, do it again, rest, and then do it again. Crazy, yes!!!! Any ideas? Anyone done this crazy thing before?

6 comments:

erinmalia said...

I did Ragnar, but not the ultra, so it wasn't nearly as intense. But I did make sure I had a couple of days where I ran twice a day just to see how I'd feel (tired). But that's about it. Good luck!

Bart, Erin, Hunter, Jorden and a couple of crazy dogs said...

Hey Stephanie! I am running Del Sol too :) What team are you? So I have not run on an official ultra team but I have run on a few that didn't have all 12 runners so I picked up a bunch of extra legs. I would suggest (if you don't already) using a recovery drink. I use Endurox R4 and love it... not too grainy and tastes pretty good. So drink that right after you run and your muscles will love you for it. The other trick is to not just sit in the van. Get out and cheer and walk a little so you don't stiffen up. When I did Goofy (half on Saturday / Full on Sunday) we hit the parks between the races and walking around really really helped. And most importantly remember that you are doing this to have fun.... don't take yourself too seriously everyone is going to be worn out by their third runs... that is what makes this so incredibly fun (and a little bit addictive too)

Stephanie@Soggy Runner Girl said...

Erin, thanks for the tips! I ran Del Sol last year and Hood to Coast a couple of years ago so I know I can do the relay thing. I am on Team DCoy Crohns and Colitis Foundation, in honor of my friends daughter who lost her life this past year to Crohns and leukemia. We are running to have fun and to finish. It will be a challenge for sure. i've done the marathon thing but this is a little different. What team are you on? What is your start time? We start at 9am. Hope to see you out there!

Stephanie@Soggy Runner Girl said...

My last comment made it seem like i was feeling confident. What I meant to say is that I know that I can do it with 12 but 6, I will be honest it is scaring me :)

KB said...

I've never done an ultra but heard that for training it is important that you get used to running on tired legs. That means you run 2 long runs 2 days in a row. I think for an ultra you run like 3 hours one day and 2 hours the next day. I know one can find training plans online for ultras. I wish you lots of luck!

Thomas Bussiere said...

You will love the challenge. The long run in your training plan is the bread & butter. Have fun and make a memory.