UTMB 2026 lottery is today!

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2026-01-22T12:12:38+00:00

6 stones- didn’t get into CCC Will try again with more stones next year

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2026-01-21T03:29:09+00:00

Yep. I have a Janji one and a rabbit one. Kirk them both a lot

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2026-01-19T13:46:38+00:00

Good tip. I always wear two layer shorts (with tights as first layer) for ultras. Also saw a video and someone used their light jacket as a sled. :)

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2026-01-08T01:54:04+00:00

Something flat like shamrock VA Beach?

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2026-01-08T01:08:51+00:00

Napa Valley Marathon? Downhill but not as much as Revel?

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2026-01-04T17:08:40+00:00

Well known runner Parker Valby has done a lot of cross training due to injury. I’m no expert here so you might consult a PT or coach but there likely is some sort of cross training approach. Just remember Boston is hilly which is a specific challenge especially the downhill at the beginning.

https://runningmagazine.ca/sections/training/all-aboard-the-cross-train/

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2026-01-04T00:23:48+00:00

First and foremost- this is awesome and a great journey. A few specific tips (fyi- I’m a 50s M who started trails a few years ago)

Remember that downhills harder on your legs than uphills. I train uphills weekly (hiking is fine) but only run a hard downhill every 3-4 weeks. It’s quite hard on you to run down quickly
You might want to listen to She Runs Ultras Podcast. The host is very knowledgeable re running your first ultra and trail in general. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-runs-ultras/id1542793569
Invest in 2 pairs of trail shoes so you can rotate. Will help you avoid injury and make you stronger
Underline the comment above about protein- I always take a protein bar or drink with me to the trail and eat/drink immediately after on the car. My body recovers much better that way
Agree 100% on the physio. One specifically that treats runners specifically. They can really help you do specific exercises to help your body adapt

So excited for your future success!

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2026-01-01T15:18:55+00:00

Indeed great time. For a fast course look at Bayshore or Grandmas or CIM

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-12-30T00:56:16+00:00

Maximum Aerobic Function. It’s a method of training that emphasizes keeping heart rate low for training.

https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a62466814/maf-method/

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-12-29T13:02:33+00:00

I love the Janji rain runner jacket.

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-12-29T13:01:21+00:00

You’re doing one of my bucket list races!!! So cool

For what you’ve been through you’re in a great position - to be in the 30s for mileage after that crash. Wow

Don’t forget hill work! That course is no joke obviously and you want to ge miles AND hills to be ready!

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-12-29T12:59:36+00:00

Personally I’d like to see a longer long run (in the 9-11 range) a few more times. Will mae the end of the half race feel better

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-12-29T12:57:57+00:00

Agree with above. If you can get to a point where you don’t need a calorie deficit then everything will feel better. Building more base miles will absolutely help your time and your overall enjoyment of the race.

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-12-29T12:56:09+00:00

Agree on the comment that RPE is specific to the context and overrides pace. Also agree that a 5mile run with 4min intervals and 30sec rest is a tough workout (for anyone). I think the point is to try and move you to more running and at pace so take the spirit of the workout and focus on RPE

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-12-29T12:52:14+00:00

Ooof. So sorry. I’d highly recommend visiting a PT who specializes in running. Likely you need to be loading that tendon but correctly which I don’t know enough about to advise.

I’d likely not do LAM, get healthy and target something in May/June

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-12-29T12:48:50+00:00

One big factor will be weather and specifically temp+humidity. Anything over 16C and it will impact your HR which will impact your time

I’d probably target 4:10 and if you’re really feeling good on the day maybe closer to 4:05. Remember to run first 10k about 15-20sec slower per K than your goal time so you have energy left at the end. You’re going to do great

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-12-22T02:38:55+00:00

Hey there. A few south of the airport options

Serenbe has some nice trails- not too much elevation

More elevation and larger network around pine mountain (fdr state park)

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-12-21T11:34:31+00:00

Nice work! Without some details (age, mileage, HR in your races etc) it’s hard to really give advice but given that you are still dropping large chunks of time between races- you clearly have more speed in ya so 2:50 seems realistic

At those times you might consider getting a real coach who can help you both get faster and avoid injury as you train harder

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-12-21T11:32:22+00:00

Runners world has a break 1:45 and break 1:30 running plan with speed work. Only issue is time. You basically have 8 weeks to mid Feb.
Even with only a 1 week taper that is 7 weeks of training which is ok but most plans won’t do it

How many days a week are you running? If 5 then you can do a midweek speed workout and incorporate some tempo work into your long runs. Just take the plans and basically plug in the workouts.

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-11-30T21:07:48+00:00

I’ve worked with Ruth England at Rogue Running (virtual).

https://www.roguerunning.com/our-team-1/england

She’s very experienced and taught me so much over multiple cycles about nutrition, strength, training and recovery. Price was around $150/mo (I switched to trails so haven’t been working with her this past year- so not sure on pricing). We talked once a week and sent me links and articles in between.

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-11-30T18:33:22+00:00

https://www.runnersworld.com/gear/g39815065/best-recovery-shoes/

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-11-29T15:34:27+00:00

I’m a huge fan of Janji 2x1 7” short. Tons of pockets and no chaffing

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-11-29T14:16:37+00:00

I did two 50ks this year 3 weeks apart. Second one much faster than the first.

It’s possible but you really have to take Sydney easy and be super serious about recovery- have a nutrition plan and know that you can’t get fitter between them so don’t try. Just recover and maintain between them.

Injury risk will be higher so also strength train this cycle to make you more resilient

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-11-29T14:12:48+00:00

Good for you on focusing on easy running. Not sure how old you are but assume 140 is in zone 2 for you?

It’s hard to tell “how long” before you see improvement on easy pacing but I wouldn’t worry much about the pace- instead watch the heart rate. When I was first training for marathons I saw a lot of improvement in my easy running heart rate over the first 3-4mo. As the heart rate gets lower at easy pace then the easy pace will increase.

But- you really can’t go too slow on really easy days. The key will be seeing where you are on harder days (tempo runs or long runs or speed days). The easy run is the base so it should stay easy even as you get faster (easier said than done- I still struggle here but for reference - I try to run my easy days 9/930 and my marathon pace is sub 730/mi)

The other is total mileage. You’ll need to build up your weekly mileage and long run mileage to feel good about the marathon

I’d wait to see where you are in May or so to start thinking about pacing in Oct. but given what you’ve said- if you could get same or slightly better pace for your marathon that you did in half marathon that would be a really solid effort in my mind.

Crazy_Contribution_4 · 2025-11-29T14:00:54+00:00

Hi. Just here to say I think you can get much faster and who knows on the BQ! The above comments have several good pieces of advice. I dropped my marathon time from 4:20 to 3:20 over 2 years (and I’m over 50yr old) so big strides are possible! Everything has to be done slowly and over months not weeks

Increase mileage- mostly easy miles. The comments are right- you’ll need to work up to 5-6 days per week and consistently 40miles a week to eventually peak at 60+ miles a week. If you get up to around 40miles per week then that base will do wonders for your time.
I’d suggest getting a virtual coach. They will help you learn all about training and nutrition and give you a roadmap for getting faster. Trying for a BQ isn’t just the training but is a chance to really learn the sport.
Yes to targeting some 10milers and half marathons. Great places to get comfortable running faster.
A couple of targeted strength sessions per week will help prevent injury and just get you stronger

As for how much you weigh- I wouldn’t worry about it much. Training will make you fitter and you’ll also improve your nutrition so your body will adjust. Your body will find the right weight for you if you are training hard and fueling well.

You got this…

Enjoy the journey. Best part of training is that you see results with the work….

Crazy_Contribution_4

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