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epicdad
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Karma: 0 |  | Okay what am I getting myself into?
« Thread Started on Nov 5, 2010, 3:43pm » | |
This will be the first ultra my wife and I have run. We are just looking for something more than "just another 26.2 on roads" you know? Are trails really really really that bad? Are we going to die? We are smooth surface road runners looking to make the transition. We don't have much time to make that sort of training switch. Could someone please give a tad of training advice. Also, what do you think we should wear? Water bottle... one or two? Drop bags, for what? I am totally clueless. Help! Thanks!
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Greerd
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« Reply #1 on Nov 6, 2010, 5:08pm » | |
I definitely recommend getting in your long runs on some technical trails. The rest is personal choice you'll figure out....
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jasonrogers
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« Reply #2 on Nov 7, 2010, 9:05pm » | |
I ran Pine Mountain 40 as my first ultramarathon last year.
The best advice that I have to offer can probably be found in my race report:
http://bestpacescenario.blogspot.com/200....-run-12609.html
I made a few rookie mistakes during this race that almost did me in, but I also had a fun day on the trails with some great friends. I'd recommend carrying more than one water bottle, because you never know how long you'll be stuck on a stretch between aid stations.
A couple of GUTS friends witnessed my Britney Spears meltdown when I made a wrong turn at mile 31 or so. Hey, it was my first ultra.
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Jason Rogers
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« Reply #3 on Nov 8, 2010, 10:20am » | |
epicdad: The trails at Pine Mountain/FDR are VERY rocky, and those rocks are mostly covered with leaves in December so you can never be sure where to put your feet. It's really rough on tender ankles, so spend as much time on technical trails as you can over the next few weeks.
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raff
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« Reply #4 on Nov 9, 2010, 9:10pm » | |
Trails take a little getting used to if your history is only running on smooth/paved surfaces - I had run myself for more than 20 years on only paved until a couple of years ago when I discovered trails, and I now strongly prefer ANY trail to all paved surfaces. You have to focus quite a bit on your footfalls and the trail but that focus in my opinion really "puts you in the moment" and heightens the experience - once you have some experience and confidence go out some time and really crank it up on a technical trail (technical = rocks, roots, uneven surfaces, leaves, etc.) - it is absolutely EXHILARATING to do that! Pine Mtn is what we call "single track" which means simply that it's wide enough for only a single person, so during the race remember to step to the side if someone wants to pass and hope that others do the same for you when you want to pass them. Be prepared to fall at some point - it's a rite of honor and although it might hurt a little you'll have earned your place on the trail. For Pine Mtn you'll probably only need one water bottle (hand-held) apiece unless you sweat a great deal and need more fluid between aid stations. I doubt you'll need drop bags for this distance but for longer races drop bags are sometimes essential (to hold change of shoes/socks, headlamps, etc.).
But as Sarah indicated the best thing you can do to train is to find trails that are as technical as you can and get used to the cadence and balance, trying to concentrate on knowing where your next footstrike needs to be before lifting that foot and finding your own style.
Glad to see you getting out there and best of luck (I'll be down at Pine also, racing this year...didn't run the race last year but marked part of the course so have some experience on this trail)!!!
Charles
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runningchef
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« Reply #5 on Nov 12, 2010, 4:15pm » | |
I do recomend some hill training on technical trails, to get your feet wet....the trails are not as immense as you may hear some people talk about though, they are mostly 1/4 to 1/2 mile climbs, at an average grade.....there are plenty of aid stations, so I dont think two water bottles would be necesary, the longest distance inbetween aid stations is around 5.5 miles, start slow, test out your ankles, then go for it if you feel good....as far as what to wear.....it was 17 degrees at the start last year, in the 40's at the finish, I didint take off my gloves or hat until the last 7 or 8 miles....have fun, see ya there! 
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« Reply #6 on Nov 12, 2010, 4:49pm » | |
RE: two water bottles.
Slower folks need two bottles. Ask Jason 
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jasonrogers
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« Reply #7 on Nov 16, 2010, 3:54pm » | |
Nov 12, 2010, 4:49pm, GUTS Admin wrote:
Slower folks need two bottles. Ask Jason |
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It's always better to be prepared for the worst case scenario.
I developed shin pains between Rocky Point and the TV Tower last year, so I walked for a couple of miles, then resumed running when the shin pain disappeared. Unfortunately, my one water bottle ran out a long time before the TV Tower aid station.
One water bottle probably would have been sufficient had I ran the entire time and reached the next aid station faster. That doesn't always happen in ultras, though.
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Jason Rogers
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epicdad
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« Reply #8 on Nov 18, 2010, 5:28pm » | |
Well, we had a great day at the SunTrust Richmond Marathon in VA last weekend. The miles came smooth and easy as they tend to do on paved surfaces. So my wife and I decided to run a trail around the way that has a variety of grade and terrain, ranging from slow rolls to steep inclines, smooth gravel, to rocks and tree roots covered with leaves, and there is a half mile that almost ANYONE would be FORCED to WALK... The whole run was only about 6 miles total. We did it at an 11 minute pace. After doing this warm up trail run, I am no longer scared about not finishing the 40 in under 10.5 hours, I am now terrified about finishing it at all!
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epicdad
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« Reply #9 on Nov 23, 2010, 9:12pm » | |
We'll finish. I know we can complete 20 miles, so... once you get halfway, there is only one way home. 
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cdnrunreh
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« Reply #10 on Dec 1, 2010, 1:58pm » | |
Don't be terrified! You'll have great support along the course to keep you going. GUTS always has the best aid stations around.
And you can look forward to earning the coveted hooded sweatshirt when you finish.
See you on Sunday!
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Dan B
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« Reply #11 on Dec 2, 2010, 6:54am » | |
Terrified or not just keep on running, jogging, walking, crawling...the weather will be great Sunday for PM40 #3 it will be great!!!
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ronhines
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« Reply #12 on Dec 3, 2010, 9:49am » | |
Dec 2, 2010, 6:54am, Dan B wrote:| Terrified or not just keep on running, jogging, walking, crawling...the weather will be great Sunday for PM40 #3 it will be great!!! |
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Relentless Forward Motion- R.F.M. See you there Dan!
Ron
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epicdad
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« Reply #13 on Sept 6, 2011, 3:06pm » | |
Uh... yeah um so I signed up again for PM40. I hope to have another 5- or 600 miles on trails, in trail shoes between now and then. That's all I'm sayin'. I'm well on my way and in good gear thanks to the good folks at Big Peach. Good luck everyone! Me and the "boss lady" are stoked to come back for more this year (and a little better prepared I might add.)
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