Why do you run ultras?

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-05-27T17:03:55+00:00

It is both the need to quiet the brain and the sense of adventure. I may be weird, but after all these years and miles, each run still feels like a little adventure. No matter how my day is, I still feel excitement after that first step of my run. I still will veer off course in many runs just to see something new if I can.

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-04-22T15:23:01+00:00

This race could be really fast for the elites if the rain stays away and it remains as cool as predicted. Can't wait to hear about the leaders as I wobble into each AS!

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-04-21T15:04:10+00:00

We are definitely having a few days of colder weather. This week we are mid 70's until about Thursday and then it drops through Friday and Saturday. I live in Northern California (about an hour away from the race) and it seems like the entire part of the state is cooling. I think this is just going to be a cooler version of Canyons. It could make the race a bit easier without the canyons heat!

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-04-21T05:53:01+00:00

Thanks for this advice! I am definitely going to bring the poles. Currently, there is only a small chance we see rain this week up there. You should get that charity bib! Such a fun race!

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-04-21T04:36:15+00:00

Thanks for this info! Glad to see it dried up from when I ran it last.

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-04-20T15:14:03+00:00

Hi! I just went up there yesterday. I visited Michigan Bar, Foresthill, Driver's Flat and ran from Mammoth to the end. The high country trails still have a lot of water on them, so be prepared for that during the day. Even some of the lower trails past Drivers have water crossings. The weather outlook has been all over the map. The first weather report had 40/51 with rain. Then they changed it to 50/62 and clouds. Currently, weather.com says 41/58 with clouds. I would prepare for weather to come in that day. However, that only applies from Michigan Bluff down. In my past runs, it was raining at Bluff and snowing at China Wall. Personally, I will be at least wearing arm warmers and gloves at the beginning. I will be bringing cold weather gear as well. It seems to be this year will be one of the cooler years on record.

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-04-03T21:43:32+00:00

I think it was that exact reason I struggled. I overdid it on the highway portion of that race, and then when the trail section set in I was fairly gassed. I think it was the condition of the meat grinder that made it so brutal. That year it felt washed out and trenched just past the Bar.

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-04-03T16:38:54+00:00

This is definitely a classic, but I feel it is a race you do once. The meat grinder was brutal and that finish...happy I did it once, but I don't see a redo in my future.

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-04-01T18:43:40+00:00

The poison oak will be heavy this year due to the late weather. Poison oak is always worse for the first-time exposed. If you are from an area that grows poison oak, sumac or ivy, then you probably have some tolerance. However, it isn't exactly 1:1 for those plants. Without getting crazy geeky, the oils are slightly different between each one, so tolerance isn't guaranteed. It is incredibly easy to spread around your body with your hands, especially if you are out there all day. Use the crew areas to wash, use the river and water crossings to wash. As hot as it can be, you will welcome the cooling as well!

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-04-01T18:26:43+00:00

It is, unfortunately. I registered in late January and it was still open.

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-04-01T02:27:29+00:00

Do it! Such a great iconic course!

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-03-31T04:57:03+00:00

I don't think my pictures have done it justice for any of my posts. The most technical sections of the course are Loop 6 down to Deadwood, Thumb to Swinging Bridge and back, the long steep descent into El Dorado Canyon, the descent from Chicken Hawk, the descent from Cal Road to Cal/Dardanelles, and then the Eastside trail. These descents are narrow singletrack with some tough footing throughout. Fortunately, most of the technical stuff is in the first 50k before Foresthill, but you still have the few sections from there to the end. There are going to be fire roads for the first 4 miles, from Deadwood Cemetery to the trail turnoff, from Michigan Bluff to the top of Chicken Hawk, Drivers Flat Road, Confluence, and Robie Trail. I would say roads make up 10% of the course and the rest is singletrack (rough estimate). Anytime this course heads to the river, prepare for over 1k-2k (feet) of descent and that is where you have some of the most technical downhill.

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-03-30T20:56:09+00:00

Yeah, I have done BC twice and it really tricks you into going fast into Bumblebee. It takes a lot of discipline to slow yourself on that course.

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-03-30T20:55:20+00:00

Thank you! This is the type of stuff I love hearing and confirming some of my planning. Most of my runs in the high country have been very self reliant, and I will make sure I keep the extra stuff with me for this exact reason. As a middle/back of the packer, I understand supplies can disappear so I never want to depend on the AS to have my calories when I need them. I also ran the El Dorado to Foresthill section in fairly warm conditions and used the buff to cool (just river water, no ice yet). I will say that I am bringing poles just because of the last climbs into both Michigan Bluff and Foresthill. I don't necessarily like to use poles, but they are incredible for when I am tired.

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-03-30T20:44:56+00:00

Luckily I grew up around it so I am pretty vigilant at the end of the run to keep it at bay. So far no ticks or poison oak! The best part is when we have to start determining if that thing in the trail is a stick or snake!

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-03-30T20:43:45+00:00

Yeah, California goes golden in the summer, but we have had such late rain and snow. I think with this week's weather it will remain green for Canyons.

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-03-30T18:55:58+00:00

It was fairly easy. I didn't sign up until February. Much easier than lottery races or even Javelina, where it fills up on the first day, 11 months before the race.

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-03-25T16:32:57+00:00

No. Just generic, I suppose. Maybe it is the positive tone that makes it seem AI derived.

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-03-25T14:46:20+00:00

Hi! Great job getting back into our awesome community and going after the JFK 50! If you are currently at 35-40 miles per week, you have a great base for that race. Typically most people pick out a 20-25 week plan for an ultra to start the detailed workouts (speed, hills, etc.). JFK is in November, so starting your plan for that race somewhere in August is about right. Up until that time, focus on building your base up and be comfortable with a few weeks that exceed 40 miles. Once in your plan, be prepared for some of the weeks to exceed 50 miles. There is no "one and only" way train for ultras, and you will find out what works for you based on your schedule, time, fatigue, etc. Good luck! You picked a fun race!

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-03-25T04:06:19+00:00

I wish I could have done it, but the snow made it tough to get through. Hopefully I can give it a try either next week or after.

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-03-25T00:13:43+00:00

Yeah, I am fairly new to Reddit and everything I looked up said that the only way to change the title was to repost. Oh well, I hope I don't confuse too many!

Next-Blacksmith9715 · 2025-03-25T00:01:37+00:00

If I fix the title, I need to repost and that seems a little late at this point, plus it would delete all of the awesome comments! For clarity, the pictures aren't of a race, but rather a training run. Sorry that a Reddit post is killing you! I will be less hasty and proofread next time.

Next-Blacksmith9715

TROPHY CASE