After seeing Eugene Smith's results at Deadman Peaks, I'm wondering how many UL backpackers are also ultramarathoners. The tinkering/gear mentality lends itself to the sport, and the ability to speed hike some hills/mountains (Hardrock?) is built from hiking.

I've started to dabble in 50k's, but don't really consider that ultras until you hit 50 milers.

Anyone else?

I've done Grand Canyon R2R2R as a run and am planning a 50 and a 100 this summer. I think UL backpacking is great prep for ultra running!

233 Miles at Across the Years 72 Hour Run (then course record for male 30-40)
Finished the Plane 100 first try
Primal Quest Utah
Over 100 miles in 2 different 24 hour runs
Several 50K's

I really want the record back at Across the Years as it's now 238 miles. I had a really "crappy" 2nd day with only 62 miles.

After that, the DECA Ironman 10X the distance (strait), not 1 ironman a day would be fun. 8 days and 8 mins would be an awesome record to go for. 24 mile swim, 1120 mile bike and 262 mile run all in one go!

I just found out that I have exercise induced asthma and can not take the big league high altitude hike records anymore. The respiration taxes the body and destroys you after only about 50 miles going that hard with altitude.

I would like to also see if my dog can do the TRT in less than 100 hours. She's in good shape and can do 40 miles in one go easy enough, just not sure about the consecutive days.

Yes, I love long-distance running, though I've never raced longer than a 50k.

I would love to do one of those running stage races like Desert RATS or the Transrockies, where you run a long distance every day and camp out at night.

Ultrarunning is the only way to get out to the really remote stuff within the confines of a single day. In that way it resembles backpacking, and lightweight packing in particular.

Unfortunately a lot of the ultrarunning races - even the multi-day events - will not or cannot actually go to some of the most beautiful/remote places, for logistical reasons. The Transrockies seems to be an example - it looks as if very little of the running is even on singletrack trail. The aid-station people have to be able to drive in.

It would be fun to figure out how to organize one's own stage race. But I'm not sure how to do it without support - e.g. someone driving to the day's end-point with your tent and supplies. Running with a pack with even just 10 pounds in it is just not comfortable IMO.

- Elizabeth

I just started to get into the Ultras. My first 50k is Jan 21, and then there are a few others thru the year. Seemed like a natural progression as learned just how far I might be able to go became more and more refined from my UL hiking.

Yes Skurka is a freak. Still though, his 2nd place in Leadville with very limited actual running training coming in suggests to me that maybe long distance walking is a good training method for long distance running. Skurka seemed amazed no runners used trekking poles too. Maybe they will catch on?

many ultras specifically prohibit trekking poles, probably for safety reasons.
I have never seen trekking poles used in 50k or 50mi races I've been in.
but have seen them used by a minority of entrants in 100 milers.

much more power walking in 100 milers, lending itself to use of poles.

I'm a solid back of the pack ultra runner.

. . .

Edited by asandh on 12/30/2011 14:22:04 MST.

>"Unfortunately a lot of the ultrarunning races - even the multi-day events - will not or cannot actually go to some of the most beautiful/remote places, for logistical reasons. The Transrockies seems to be an example - it looks as if very little of the running is even on singletrack trail. The aid-station people have to be able to drive in."

Elizabeth, Maybe there's a play there between the ultrarunners and the BPers with backpackers packing an aid station into a more scenic stretch. I could get into that - it's nice when there's a purpose for a hike and I don't mind the weight if it's needed stuff.

I'm much more of an ultra-hiker than runner. 40 or 50 miles in a day is fun if I take 15 hours to do it. I don't have enough fast-twitch muscles to do it in half the time.

But I'm signed up for the BPL Grand Canyon R2R2R. And I'll see how much of it I can run, but if I hike the whole thing like I did when I was half my age, I'll feel good about that.

21 marathons under my belt, in a 5-year period, with 5 of those being Boston Marathon with full qualification(some people run for charities without qualifying). I have Boston-qualified at Boston -- a note of particular pride. Also 17 triathlons -- sprints and olympic distance. One ultra marathon -- the JFK 50, as the name implies, a 50-miler. My time in the JFK 50 qualified me for the Western States 100 miler, but a regional fire cancelled the race the year I qualified to run, and I think I should be grateful for that. I've now retired from running, at age 49. Still kayaking like a maniac and solo backpacking. Ultralight backpacking is a mental discipline, and half the running game or more is mental. Rock on, you ultra runners. I respect the heck out of you.

Chris,

Individuals like you amaze and inspire me, the ability to run fast BQ times and run ultras, incredible. I don't think I have the discipline to run a Boston time, but pushing along for a day+ out on trail is a joy, sign me up.

@Peter,

The tinkering associated with backpacking is almost nonexistent in running, at least for me. Its easy to keep running simple if you want it. My only weakness is shoes, the searching, learning, and continual evolution of shoes, its a cycle and I never seem satisfied for long. During periods of training I get a bit obsessive and my vision narrows.

One thing is for sure, backpacking is literally a walk in the park once you start putting in long miles on trail with elevation thrown in, makes cranking out 20+ mile hiking days a breeze and quite enjoyable.....pair that with a light pack?

Its joy.

I've mostly quit running and just walk a lot. I have a hard enough time trying to gain weight these days and running just makes it much harder to keep muscle on. Of course I did go out and run 6.5 miles this morning and it felt pretty good considering I haven't run in around 10 months.

With that said though, Javan Dempsey and I did a trip back in July where we covered ~32 miles with 15k elevation change in 12 hours and that was walking with packs on (intended overnight turned day hike). We were pretty spent, but if we slowed down a little I see no reason we couldn't have covered close to 50 miles in a 24 hour period. Point being you can cover quite a lot of ground in 24 hours without necessarily needing to run.

Anyway, I respect anyone that can run often and put in a lot of miles. And if you can maintain a decent build while doing so I want your secrets.

Edited by simplespirit on 01/10/2012 13:49:26 MST.

Not an ultramarathoner but I'm a runner and training for my first races. I am interested in doing this next year... lol... a mere 3.2 miles.

The Warrior Dash

Eventually I'd love to do an ultramarathon but I'm not at that level yet (or even close to it)... but reading all of this is certainly inspirational!

Edited by Laurie_Ann on 01/11/2012 10:47:01 MST.

This thread has inspired me to learn more about ultra-marathoners and to my delight and surprise, a lady I met at a family gathering this summer is one. Monica Scholz... too cool. Anyway, it's not something I'd ever do myself but I am reading loads about the sport. Right now I'm about 1/2 way through Born to Run by McDougall. Interesting book.

Edited by Laurie_Ann on 01/28/2012 19:23:40 MST.

Well, I lowered my goal a bit for my Jan 21 race. We recieved a huge snow/rain storm here 2 days before the race, and knowing from experience the mud and conditions of the upper part of the course, I opted out for the 10.8 mile loop instead of the full 50k loop. It was a smart decision,(my age!) and I had a blast running the race. The race had just under 200 entries, with about half in the shorter race. I did the 10.8 in 2:01:22 and was 19th overall and first in my 50-59 age group. I was really surprised about being first, and it was a great time. I still hope to do a 50k race, as I think it would be a sweet accomplishment. I'm looking at some other races later this year. We'll see how it goes.

Congrats on placing first in your age group!!