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Post by ChooChoo on Feb 2, 2005 8:19:03 GMT -5
Looking ahead to do a 50-miler or two this fall. I have read that "Back-to-Back" runs, one on Saturday, one on Sunday, is a good way to go. Do you agree? What has been your experience? What benefit did you get from it?
RUNNER'S WORLD Feb 05 issue has an article and a reference training schedule for 50 milers. They are the one that brought B2B runs up.
(It's been a couple of years since I've done 50 milers, I do have several under my belt.)
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Post by Double on Feb 2, 2005 16:16:59 GMT -5
I know for many, the B2B is the gold standard for ultras, but I am not a big fan personally. Those type of workouts can really tire a person out, or at least that has been my experience. I would suspect they would be beneficial for 100 milers or better. If a person is getting enough weekly miles in then they are probably not necessary. However, some people, with the weekly pressures of everything else find the B2B scenario works for them. For me, it makes me tired and takes the joy out of running.
For the 50 miler, I would think a couple efforts in the 4-6 hour range would be sufficient. For my first 50 miler in 2000, I ran 4 consecutive Saturdays of 25.5, 28.3, 32 and 35 miles over trails w/ a three week taper and I did fine using an even pace strategy.
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Post by janice on Feb 2, 2005 22:07:40 GMT -5
I think that B2B runs can make a big difference. I have used that method a lot
It can wear you out though after doing it for a couple of years, so be sure and take a rest season. I should really practice what I preach.....
slug
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Post by Sally on Feb 3, 2005 8:05:55 GMT -5
Yes, I agree Slug woman...you should practice what you preach.... I'm all for resting!!!
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Post by Lone Wolf on Feb 3, 2005 11:12:14 GMT -5
I'm new to Ultrarunning so can you explain to me the reason behind the use of back-to-back long runs.
I always thought it was something used by people with schedules that didn't allow them to get much mileage in during the week so they crammed it into the weekends.
Instead of back to back 25 milers wouldn't a solo 40 miler better prepare me for a 100k?
I asuume the idea is learning to run when you are tired but you will be plenty tired in the last 15 miles of a solo 40 miler as well.
If I can get good mileage in through out the week including a mini long run on Wednesday then would back-to-backs help me on the weekend or would I be better with a long solo run?
I suppose it could be a good switch up in routine on occasion like say once a month instead of going 40 on Saturday and taking sunday off you could do a 25-30 miler on both Saturday and Sunday.
Variety in workouts helped me in my 10k career so maybe it will help in my 100k career.
The thoughts of you experienced ultra runners would be invaluable for a newbie like me.
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Post by Double on Feb 3, 2005 16:00:40 GMT -5
The main component for any distance runner is weekly miles. I believe if you maintain an adequate number of weekly miles then you only need the one long run. Another thing to consider is if you plan on running ultras competitively, then you need to have some zip left in those legs to execute the strength/speed aspect of racing ultras. Go pull a couple 50 mile weekends and tell me how the rest of the week went. For me, it doesn't go well, but maybe I am the exception.
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Post by janice on Feb 4, 2005 8:41:00 GMT -5
I did B2B in training for 100 milers. Regardless of my daily mileage, there was just no possibly way that I was every going to do a 60+ mile training run (which I did feel was needed). Training for a 50 mile is comparatively easy in that you can do a 30+ mile training run every few weekends and not wear your self out. To train for 100s I figured I could run 5-6 hours on Saturday and then come back and 3-4 hours on Sunday. The sum total would be the equivalent of maybe 60 miles. And I could still do track work on Wed night! ;D
A lot of the GUTS group used this method to train for the 2003 Vermont and everyone ran really well.
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Post by spud on Feb 4, 2005 13:18:14 GMT -5
Hi! ;D
I am thinking to start training for 100ks. What is the weekly mileage necessary for it? At the moment I do around 70M a week, 5x10M and 1x20m. Thank you!
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Post by Double on Feb 5, 2005 16:13:29 GMT -5
Seventy miles a week is plenty of weekly miles to run a 100k. Of course, it depends on what you want to do at the race, but one can finish a 100k pretty well off a 70 mile week constructed properly. That's really about all I average in the 2-3 months leading up to this race.
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Post by sherry on Feb 26, 2005 19:51:38 GMT -5
I only started running about a year and a half ago, but I have finished several 50K, marathons, a 50 miler and almost the Arkansas Traveler. I ran my first marathon when I reached the seven mile mark in practice, so you know there are a few screws loose somewhere, but I finished. I have found back to back 17 mile runs do well for me, if I feel good I go on to 26 if I have time, but if I feel bad I stop. Fueling and electrolytes has been a bad problem for me. I was my doctors first case of extreme low salt and extreme dehydration at the same time. I have found that if I run through the bad spot there about mile 18 to 20, I am fine to keep going, but I pay for it with days of dizziness until I get everything back in balance. I pick up the pace instead of add distance alot, my end time is about the same, but if I give it all I have in the first ten miles, the last seven is hell, torture and extreme exhaustion (LOVE IT) and I am only sore in the morning if I fall, longer runs usually leave me with something tight and sore.
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