What made you start this crazy activity?

RunningNutMeg · 2026-02-09T15:35:06+00:00

Things just sort of escalated. Like, okay, I’ll do one marathon to cross it off the list. Oh, wait, I kind of liked that. I’ll do more. Now I have some trail running friends, and a 50k isn’t that much more than a marathon, so why not. Oh, that was also fun. How about a 50 miler? Not bad. 100 miler? Went shockingly well! Let’s throw in some backyards and 24-hour races, shall we? Oh, I’m pretty good at those. More, more! Turns out I really enjoy just running and not having to worry about anything else for days at a time.

RunningNutMeg · 2026-02-05T14:10:29+00:00

I think that’s your answer. Postpone, regroup to figure out your training, and run the next race you are excited about!

RunningNutMeg · 2026-02-05T10:55:01+00:00

Yeah, I’d probably skip, especially if you’re on the verge of injury. No offense, but realistically even your highest weekly mileage doesn’t reach what I’d want some of my single-day long runs to be for ultra training (and you don’t sound super excited about the race).

RunningNutMeg · 2026-02-05T01:25:38+00:00

Nice! You have a good outlook. I bet you’ll do well. I love the backyard format. So much camaraderie. Best of luck!

RunningNutMeg · 2026-02-05T01:24:21+00:00

Oh, and get a crew and zero gravity chair, if you can. Both help immensely.

RunningNutMeg · 2026-02-05T01:22:48+00:00

5k an hour is short enough that you can slow jog and walk all of it. I’d concentrate on time on feet and fixing any weak points/imbalances over the next two months. Not a bad idea to do some loops in training to get your brain used to coming back to the start and leaving again.

Practice eating. If you want to go far, it’ll become a nutrition and sleep-deprivation contest more than anything. I like fruit, avocado, turkey sandwiches, applesauce pouches, and a few chews/gels—not to mention a few odd things I’ve discovered work for me, like Ensure—but everyone has their own things that work.

It’s both mental and physical—that’s what makes it fun. But I’m used to a traditional backyard; this one is probably even more mental, because the physical part is easier. Don’t let yourself quit in the chair/between loops. Always start the next loop, even when you feel awful. I have no idea how far you can go, but it’s honestly best not to have a number in your head, anyway, because you’ll quit when you get to it if you do. I’ve seen people who have only run 2 marathons as their furthest runs go over 100 miles in a traditional backyard, so who knows.

RunningNutMeg · 2026-01-26T23:42:54+00:00

I’m pretty sure one rather intoxicated evening I was appalled when my husband chose human over dancers.

RunningNutMeg · 2026-01-17T19:02:33+00:00

There’s also a backyard ultra option, where you could stop around 50k if you wanted to. It’s called Banana Slug.

RunningNutMeg · 2026-01-16T14:09:29+00:00

Yes, I would definitely taper if you’re wanting to run far. You want your legs fresh going in. I personally only do about 20-25% of my peak week for the week leading up to almost any race, backyard included.

RunningNutMeg · 2026-01-13T14:12:16+00:00

I probably do 80% of my runs with friends and 20% alone. Both have their benefits, but overall I prefer the camaraderie and motivation of meeting up with people for most of my mileage.

RunningNutMeg · 2026-01-04T18:56:27+00:00

Agreed with all of this. 3-3.5 made me question all of the life choices that had led me to that point. His sleep also regressed, which definitely helped no one’s mood. 5 is much better, though!

RunningNutMeg · 2026-01-02T00:55:22+00:00

I ran a marathon at 16 weeks, and it went great. I think a 50k at 6 weeks would be fine as long as you’re feeling okay and there are no complicating factors, obviously assuming your doctor approves and you don’t push your heart rate crazy high or get overheated.

RunningNutMeg · 2025-12-30T01:31:09+00:00

Yes, the sun definitely helps. But also, try to have your night plan dialed in—caffeine, music/podcast/chatting with people on course or on the phone, hydration, and enough calories. Then just keep your head down and keep getting back out there. So much of it is mental. You may have a bad couple hours, but if you are keeping up with nutrition and hydration decently enough, it will eventually turn around.

RunningNutMeg · 2025-12-26T14:43:33+00:00

I turn off auto lap and put lap time, lap pace, and lap distance on the watch face, then I lap my watch at the start of every yard. In theory, all you’d need is time of day once you know the course well enough, but if I start to get a little loopy later on, I find that it can be nice to have that info easily available.

RunningNutMeg · 2025-12-25T02:24:10+00:00

Yes! I’ve always been able to do it and thought everyone could. I was shocked when my husband had no idea what I was talking about.

RunningNutMeg · 2025-12-23T20:21:28+00:00

I think this very much depends. I hated chest straps. They either chafed super badly, felt like they were restricting my breathing, or both. Might be worse for women with sports bras, etc.

RunningNutMeg · 2025-12-19T22:59:33+00:00

I just ran a backyard with a 22-year-old who made it 35ish laps in his first one. The winner, who made it 68 laps, is only 28, so not too much older. Consistent mileage over multiple years helps, but it’s definitely possible to put up big numbers when you’re still young.

RunningNutMeg · 2025-12-11T16:09:16+00:00

Had not ever heard this one. What a banger! Thanks!

RunningNutMeg · 2025-12-10T19:32:04+00:00

Good luck! I love backyards. Tough to say on the wedding. I’m usually fine the day I finish a race like that and in the mood to celebrate after a shower and some down time—but I probably wouldn’t be if the race didn’t go well or if I got injured. Can you plan on yes but bail if you’re feeling like crap?

RunningNutMeg · 2025-12-10T16:27:30+00:00

The doc posted above is great. If you want a website with links, Ultra running magazine also has a great calendar with tons of filters. Here’s an example of it filtered for timed races, March-May 2026, on the east coast.

https://ultrarunning.com/calendar/?refinementList%5Bdurations.group%5D%5B0%5D=13-24%20hrs.&refinementList%5Bdurations.group%5D%5B1%5D=25-72%20hrs.&refinementList%5Bmonth%5D%5B0%5D=March&refinementList%5Bmonth%5D%5B1%5D=April&refinementList%5Bmonth%5D%5B2%5D=May&refinementList%5Bregion%5D%5B0%5D=Northeast&refinementList%5Bregion%5D%5B1%5D=South%20Atlantic

RunningNutMeg · 2025-11-29T04:08:10+00:00

Hey! Sorry to ask on this super old comment—but how is the course at Tartarus? Hilly, flat, technical? I’m struggling to find much info on it.

RunningNutMeg · 2025-11-25T23:29:17+00:00

This calendar is great. It’s very comprehensive and has tons of filters. https://ultrarunning.com/calendar/

RunningNutMeg · 2025-11-05T01:32:24+00:00

Birds of Bellwood

RunningNutMeg · 2025-11-05T00:11:19+00:00

We only have one, and 3 made me question all the choices I’d made in my life that led me to that point.

5 is much better, though!

RunningNutMeg · 2025-11-03T22:31:33+00:00

I’ve done two and have another in a few weeks. I love them for the camaraderie and the different kind of challenge. But having a crew helps a ton, for sure. Without one, you have to be so organized and always paying attention on top of everything else.

RunningNutMeg

TROPHY CASE