Top road-marathon performances often involve more training mileage than top ultra-trail performances. (Translation: you don’t need to run crazy-high mileage, though some big weeks and back-to-back long runs can help.) Overall training load is less important than specific training stress. Instead, it’s designed for athletes without coaches or backgrounds in training philosophy looking for a quick guide to chasing their scariest dreams. The goal isn’t to tell you how to train, since like the number of analogies that is excessive in a trail-running article, I don’t know the answer to that question. This article goes over some principles that you can apply to your training if you’re debating going over 50K, and it even provides specifics through a 12-week intermediate training plan starting at 30 miles per week. In other words, they think longer ultras are for superhumans.īut ultras are for everyone who is motivated by the allure of seeing just how far they can go. They often think it requires tons of weekly miles, a Wolverine-like recovery ability, or a Batman-like ability to be way too confident in one’s abilities. However, one thing I always see is people being so daunted by the general idea of the 50-mile distance (and higher) that they never chase the goals that truly ignite their passion. An Expert Training Plan for Your First 50K.My style is basically Scully from X-Files mixed with a golden retriever. I’m like the annoying character on a TV drama that always says why the seemingly incontrovertible evidence the hero has gathered might be wrong. If you’ve read these articles over the years, you know I hate giving specific advice without five non-controversial articles from medical journals to back it up. Each person can succeed through a bunch of different approaches, and this one may not be right for you. There is no single way to train for a longer ultramarathon.

First, a disclaimer (starting the article with some sexy talk for all the lawyers in the house).

Download 50k ultra marathon