Beyond the Basics
Ultra Runner

What does it take to be an ultra runner?



Almost anyone can run a marathon. Maybe not win a marathon. Maybe not run the Boston marathon. But the average person, with enough training and discipline can run the marathon distance of 26.2 miles.

However not everyone can run an ultra marathon. So what does it take to run an ultra marathon distance? Well I'm working on finding that out for myself.

So far, from what I gather, in order to run ultras, one must be extraordinarily determined, disciplined and incredibly passionate about running long distances.

I dare say, one must truly be in love with and have a very compatible relationship with running. Some might even say, one must be a little crazy, or at least have somewhat of an obsessive personality.

What defines an ultra marathon?

A marathon is 26.2 miles, so an ultra marathon is anything above that. The usual ultra marathon distances are 30 miles, 50k, 50 miles, 100k and 100 miles.

How to Train for an Ultra Marathon

According to my friend Tara who completed her first 50 mile ultra last year and will be running her first 100 mile ultra in less than a month, the most important component of ultra marathon training is the back to back long run.



Stay tuned for more advice on the back to back long run and other ultra marathon training advice.

My Ultra Marathon Training Experience

Here you can check out my blog as I train for my first ultra marathon of 30 miles.

Meet Other Ultra Marathon Runners

Tara

With a 50 mile ultra already under her belt, Tara is currently training to run her first 100 mile ultra. While some of us spend months and even years training to run a marathon, Tara, runs marathons back to back as training runs.

Her blog is packed full of running advice as well as very impressive accounts of her training. And stay tuned for my interview with her which will come out in March.

Marny

Marny trains in the Rockies of Colorado. With a few marathons under he belt, this year she will conquer the 50 miler. Check out her blog here.

Return from Ultra Runner to Running-Mom HomePage