new to this type of sport

[maurice]

I am wanting to do this race in 2009 but have not run any further than a marathon, does anyone have any advice on how to step up training to complete a rsce of this sort.

[Shaun]

I am wanting to do this race in 2009 but have not run any further than a marathon, does anyone have any advice on how to step up training to complete a rsce of this sort.

Maurice I'm in the same boat as you really looking forward to the challenge!  Any idea's out there for two Ultra Marathon Virgin!

[James]

Guys,

Glad you are interested in the event, it looks amazing.  The cornerstone of training for ultras is the LSD run, or Long Slow Distance run.  These should build progressively over your training period, so that you can go for longer and further at a slow pace.  Don't be concerned with pace to start with - your first ultra will be all about finishing (leave the racing for the more experienced race snakes).  It can be hard to go out slowly when you have been used to competitive racing over conventional distances, but when you are going for hours on end, it is vital to run sustainably. 

For longer events you should be planning to get two long runs in over the weekend, as back-to-backing will really help you build your endurance - especially when your legs are feeling a bit tired from the day before!

As with any training plan, do not build the mileage too quickly and allow your body time to repair, by having recovery weeks where your weekly mileage is a bit lower.

Get used to running with a pack, as some people find this difficult at first.  Taking on food whilst running is another key difference over longer distances, but there is quite a lot of literature on the web about this already.  My advice: stick with varied natural foods like trail mix/GORP and use a replacement drink to rebuild body salts/electrolytes.  Always make sure your body is fully used to whatever to take to race day, so you don't surprise it and have a bad reaction.

Best of luck!

[maurice]

Thanks for the advice, food intake isv something i am relatively lucky with. I can eat most things while running, but i have been told after a while your body finds it hard to digest. Is this true. I am also doing back to back runs without a watch as i find the watch takes the focus off long and slow and makes me want to run a time trial.
Thanks again
Maurice

[Shaun]

Thanks, for the info.  I have a busy work and study year, so I'll judge how much I can train for a event like this.  I only want to finish the event under the cut off time.

Shaun

[Geoff]

Guys,

By far and away the best advice I could give you is to find the TNF100 thread on "coolrunning".  There is a wealth of information here.  A majority of the crazies that run ultras post in those threads. Whilst some might pretend they don't want to help, they all do really. There will be plenty of training runs pre event.  Six Foot Track would be a good race to run for training.

Cheers,

Geoff

[Matthew]

Hey,

I too am new to this!

This may sound stupid but I have never run further than  a Half Marathon. I plan to complete the first half of the relay and let my buddy complete the latter!

I know I am crazy but hey, thats what it is all about!
I plan to complete the half this time and next year come back for the whole thing!

Does anyone know of any trail runs in Melbourne before this as a warm up to the event?

:-) kill:-)

[Simon]

Being called crazy and insane is one reason I do these events :-).  Life is just too easy these days. A little discomfit (or a lot!) makes the easy days all that bit sweeter.

Cheers,
Simon

-- I prefer reality

[Nikki]

here here!

[Andrew]

Hi everyone,

I am pretty new to this sort of running too. i ran a marathon back in 2001 and with many people calling me crazy i set off to run the 53km traill run in the Glass House Mountains (Hare and Hounds). The fantastic experience has now got me hooked and i would love to take part in this run, it sounds fantastic. what  a challenge!! If i can arrange time off work and get the training in i will be there.  I agree with the advice on LSD runs and experimenting with foods to see what works for you. I learnt a lot on the GH run, the most important being that i need to get some hill running into my training. The downhills were hurting pretty bad near the end. There is definitely a wrong and right way to go down a hill!!
I took some great advice from experienced runners prior to the run which was to set out steady, go from checkpoint to checkpoint and 'enjoy the ride'.
I was called crazy numerous times prior to attempting the 53km. I don't know what the reaction will be when i tell them i want to do this run. I reckon if i tell my crazy mind i have to do a 100km it will help me get there and hopefully enjoy the ride. The crazy mind is a powerful tool.
I am still experimenting with solid food intake. I found the salted potatoes at the checkpoints were great. Anymore recommendations and what are bounce balls?

Good luck everyone, Hope to see you there,

Cheers,

Andy

[Simon]

Hi Andrew,

I've no idea what Bounce Balls are. Must be some strange Australian euphemism for wallaby droppings ;-)

Here's a list of some solid foods I used at a 100km event I did at the weekend:
- honey sandwiches
- Em's power bars (http://www.powercookies.com/)
- Em's biscuits
- Trail mix (nuts, raisins, chocolate)
- leppins
- fruit salad (tastes nice when nothing else does)
- boiled potatoes with salt dip
- crackers with hummus dip (yum)
- hot cakes with liquid honey (excellent)

Plus water, Replace and my all time favourite, Mountain Dew.

I think I put on weight by the end!

Cheers,
Simon (NZ)