As I perused some new blogs this morning, I came across a race report from a marathoner's first 50K. Not gonna lie, very intrigued.
A 50K is 31 miles. That's only 4.8 miles more than a marathon. Of course, my first thought is Pshhh, that's like 50 more minutes. I can do that. It's just one more hour. HAHA Oh, Tania, so confident, so forgetful. Yes, that is one more hour - ON TOP OF THE 4+ HOURS THAT COME BEFORE IT! Really, I have a problem people! I began to immediately scan my calendar and see when I could start training for one. Fall sounds good, right? No races planned then? And I searched the local race calendars. Seriously, people! I'm crazy, right? Who would do this?
Alright, alright, let's put the brakes on here for just a second. Before I start jumping into Ultras there are some things I have to consider:
A 50K is 31 miles. That's only 4.8 miles more than a marathon. Of course, my first thought is Pshhh, that's like 50 more minutes. I can do that. It's just one more hour. HAHA Oh, Tania, so confident, so forgetful. Yes, that is one more hour - ON TOP OF THE 4+ HOURS THAT COME BEFORE IT! Really, I have a problem people! I began to immediately scan my calendar and see when I could start training for one. Fall sounds good, right? No races planned then? And I searched the local race calendars. Seriously, people! I'm crazy, right? Who would do this?
Alright, alright, let's put the brakes on here for just a second. Before I start jumping into Ultras there are some things I have to consider:
- Almost all Ultras are trail runs. Although I train on trails and have done a 10K trail run, a 50K trail run would be very different than what I'm used. Marathons are entirely on asphalt. It is literally a different playing field.
- Although 4.8 miles doesn't seem like much, I hear that once you do a 50K you realize why it is an Ultra and not just a Marathon Plus. Somewhere in that 4.8 miles you cross over and it's very distinct.
- Ultras have a whole different culture that I would have to learn about. Hydration is major! Aid stations have real food and you should be running with a Camelbak. You have to take in 1000+ calories during and monitor your salt intake (ie. taking salt tabs). Lots to learn about there considering I go 26.2 miles with just 8oz of oatmeal and 3 ClifBoks in my belly.
- Heat factor - being this is California, an hour longer on the course, on a trail could get blistering! My finish time would be close to noon in the middle of the desert! Yikes!
- Am I bored yet? I am loving marathons right now! Do I really want to fast-forward or should I enjoy the honeymoon phase until I need a new challenge? This could be the perfect post-baby challenge to get me back...I'm just saying.
