FIRST for Ultra Running

To this point I've basically followed the standard approach to training for Ultra-running... run... alot. I've maintained my training at the 40-70 miles per week range, with 40 being the week after my post-race recovery week, and the 70 being two weeks before tapering into a race. In talking with other Ultra-runners, that seems to be the accepted methodology, and so I've simply adopted that to this point.

A few weeks ago, my wife brought home a book called "Run Less, Run Faster" from the Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training (FIRST) at Furman University in Greenville, SC. My wife is using their program to train for her first 1/2 marathon. Of course, a title like that garnered some interest on my part, and so I did a little investigation. It turns out the PhDs there have looked at training for running as more than just running (novel idea!), and have an integrated training plan for up to marathon distances using a variety of cross-training events including swimming and cycling.

After reviewing their website, I decided to contact them and find out if they did anything beyond the Marathon distance. They responded within minutes of my initial contact, and explained that they don't have any experience Ultra running in their group, but they had a friend of theirs who is an Ultra runner, and had provided some input for him, and it seemed successful. They subsequently sent me the advice they'd given him, and his correspondence to them regarding the results he'd experienced. His reasons for asking for thier input, and his results from following their advice fit exactly within my experience and expectations, so I decided to follow their advice and start training based on that input.

So... my weekly mileage is actually going to go down! However, I'm now incorporating cycling, rowing, swimming, and power-lifting into my weekly program. I'll still run my events through the summer, but I think the "proof" of how this change in the training program will likely not manifest itself for a couple months. I have to assume that the Speedgoat at the end of July will be the first race where I'll be able to initially assess the effectiveness of this program. Should be pretty interesting!

That said, I'm looking forward to the Sapper Joe 50K on the 29th of May! The Sapper Joe also has a 25K and (new this year) a 15K, so for anyone who's up for a shorter version... register at Wasatch Running or mail it in (www.fatpackracing.com) and come join the mayhem!

26.2 is no "walk in the park"!

Well, I finally did it... I ran a traditional marathon. The Salt Lake Marathon runs from the University of Utah "Olympic Bridge", to Sugar House Park, out to Tuscany Restraunt, and then heads back to the Gateway Mall fountain for the finish. I figured this would be just a little longer than my normal Saturday runs of 20 miles (give or take). Arguably, I figured I'd try to push past the "Ultra" per-mile-pace of 11 min, but figured that otherwise it wouldn't be too bad. Well... it was definitely different.

I knew the crowd would be a factor, but we were still dodging around people at 7 miles! By seven miles in any of the 50Ks I've run, I'm basically alone! The fact that there were aid stations every 2 miles or less was kind of cool (no carrying water), and there were actually "spectators" who cheered as you ran past throughout the entire race which was completely alien to anything I've experienced in Trail 50Ks.

Running on the pavement for 4 hours was a bit much... that stuff is hard and boring! I also pushed for 9 min miles and ended up with 9:34's (4:06.34) which is considerably faster than I run my 50Ks, so that could have had something to do with the stiffness I feel today; I actually feel like I ran 50K. Trails may be more variable in angle, steepness, etc, but that's what makes them more fun to run!

All-in-all it was reasonably enjoyable, and I'll probably do some more marathons, especially if my wife is running a 1/2 marathon that corresponds with one. I did see a couple of the guys I see at the Ultras, but between the crowds and the roads themselves, I'm going to stay with my trail-ultras for the most part. I'll post some photos as I get them from the promoter, so stay tuned!