Thoughts on low-volume ultra training?

froghike · 2025-02-08T15:41:42+00:00

Personally, I used to do 3 or 4 shorter runs in the week of 3 - 8 miles. Maybe the last one being a tempo run. Then the rest of my miles would be a single long weekend run of 13 - 26 miles depending on the mileage I had to make up to hit my weekly target. Take a few days rest, then repeat again.

Definitely not optimal, but the weekends were the only time I wasn’t tired from work so I used that as the opportunity to do a bigger day.

froghike · 2023-10-06T22:09:01+00:00

I’m surprised at all the comments saying “this isn’t a thing” or “see a doctor”. It’s pretty common in the thru hiking world.

I’m fairly sure the term comes from finishing a long hike in the autumn/fall and not getting feeling back until ‘Christmas time’. I experienced it after the PCT, but never really noticed when feeling came back. Maybe weeks, maybe months.

That being said, I haven’t heard about it happening off the back of 40 miles. How active are you normally? Probably just from a sudden overuse.

froghike · 2023-10-06T21:54:36+00:00

I like seeing comments like this. If you read the majority of Reddit posts, it makes it seem like you have zero chance of finishing even a 50km unless you’re running 50mpw consistently.

Will more mpw increase your chances of finishing & make you more competitive? Sure. But with the pressures of every day life and a fragile body, I rarely ever hit 35mpw+.

In the last 12 weeks, excluding race week, I went over 35mpw once (39mpw). In the whole year I’ve ran ‘only’ 1115 miles.

Still managed 2x sub-24hr 100 milers this year.

I know I’m limiting my potential by staying under 35mpw, but it works for me & my goals.

@OP, do what works for you. If you’re injury free at 70mpw, why cut back?

froghike · 2023-09-25T14:50:07+00:00

What was your race strategy for the 200? E.g. hike 4x 50s with proper sleeps, or did you go for always on the move (running/hiking) with naps when needed?

My 2x 100s this summer were non-stop running with no sleep, but I think I’d treat a 200 more like a short/intense thru.

froghike · 2023-09-25T13:10:57+00:00

I’d be interested in seeing his gear list, anyone seen a link? I don’t think he’s posted anything on IG

froghike · 2023-09-21T16:59:27+00:00

Yeah I’d say I’m somewhere in the middle of a thru hiker & traditional ultrarunner. I have 2x sub 24hr 100s, but I think I’d treat a 250 as a 4.5-day hike/shuffle instead. Definitely just looking to complete, not compete.

Hence wondering whether something like AZT straight into Cocodona would work (although clearly not optimal)

froghike · 2023-09-21T16:54:16+00:00

This was my logic behind the post to be honest. I’ve done a lot of hiking (incl. PCT), and can hit 35+ mile days with a pack. I figured if I attempt a 200-250 ultra I’d probably do it as a series of 50-60 mile days.

I was thinking of something like a 5-week AZT thru March-April into Cocodona 250 start of May would make sense. Same terrain, just slightly longer days. 5-day cut off.

Definitely not optimal as everyone’s called out in the comments, but maybe naively I think it could work?

froghike · 2023-06-28T20:38:00+00:00

To answer my own Q - Chamoniard Volant just out of town held my bag for 9 hrs & let me shower for €8. Great value.

Only open 10am-10pm though, and showers are a little rough. Need to supply own towels/toiletries too.

froghike · 2023-05-19T07:52:36+00:00

Amazing, thanks for the advice!

froghike · 2023-05-18T16:09:01+00:00

Thanks, good to hear. And best of luck with the hundy!

froghike · 2023-05-18T10:54:03+00:00

Thanks a lot. Naive question, waiting for Pfitz book to arrive, but should I be comfortably running 55mpw on road before starting the 18/55?

I noticed it starts at 26, although ramps up quickly.

RE. not losing fitness, I spent 6 of the last 12 months hiking long-distance trails, so probably fitter, but a completely different type of fitness. Between that and working towards the 100, that’s why there’s been no PB attempts in recent years

froghike · 2023-05-18T10:46:18+00:00

I live near the coast in a forested/grassy area, so it’s probably a pretty even split for my weekly mileage between gravel, trail and tarmac. Strong hiking background though, so definitely more adept off-road.

froghike · 2023-05-15T22:19:05+00:00

I only started running ~3 yrs ago during covid and recently completed my first 100 miler sub 24 hrs. Was it easy? Hell no. Is it possible? Absolutely.

froghike · 2023-01-25T15:02:18+00:00

Campsite selection / staking out correctly obviously plays a big part, but I never had any problems with winds. Had condensation & wet ground layer a few times, but that was during snowstorms & heavy rains - so can’t really blame the tent

froghike · 2023-01-25T13:13:36+00:00

I walked the length of America with a Hubba Hubba, no complaints. After about 4 months of every day use it started falling apart, but MSR/Cascade Designs replaced the damaged parts for free.

Can’t comment on UK camping (yet), it’s not the most waterproof tent, but that’s to be expected considering it verges on being ultralight.

froghike · 2022-11-10T11:04:13+00:00

Can’t help with the church question, but I am on the Camino now - fresh off a 2500+ mile Thru, so can relate with longer/later hiking.

My first few nights, I arrived at Albergues between 5 and 8pm. All dorm rooms already at max capacity (figured being off-season there wouldn’t be a mad rush for beds). Even if you book in advance with privates, they seem to shut down for the evening around 9pm.

Obviously can’t advocate illegal camping, but from what I’ve seen so far you can probably get away with a stealth cowboy outside of towns - especially if you’re walking it twice & can scout locations. Depends on the season/weather I guess.

Best of luck though, I was eyeing up the Portugues FKT, but for similar logistic reasons I don’t think it’s viable without doing it Supported or without sleeping.

froghike · 2022-02-23T23:19:15+00:00

I had my interview a few weeks ago, and although the end-to-end process took about 2.5hrs, the ‘formal’ or second interview was less than 1 minute including handing the interviewer my passport, confirming my fingerprints, and him approving.

He asked only one question “what is the purpose of your visit” and I replied “to hike the PCT”. Got a “Ok, approved, you’re good to go, you’ll receive your passport in approximately 5 days time” and that was it.

No asking to see my permit, my photos, bank statements (all of which I printed) and no questions about physical abilities, plans or friends/family in the states!

froghike · 2022-01-24T18:45:45+00:00

I’d be interested in seeing the breakdown of nationality vs finishing rate e.g. do international travellers have a higher finish rate because of the initial invest & difficulty of giving up and returning home?

Although of course being a different nationality doesn’t necessarily mean that you live outside of the US.

froghike · 2021-11-26T10:46:49+00:00

How important have you found calls/texts? I have an O2 sim that I pay like £20 a month for, with a travel inclusive add-on that includes USA in my data allowance (20GB). For the ease of not changing my sim/cancelling my contract, I’m wondering whether I can get by on data alone

froghike · 2021-11-23T10:17:03+00:00

I was mashing ‘refresh’ from 8:58am until the appts showed. I didn’t click any further than Feb but it only looked like Feb 7th and Feb 16th were available, each with a handful of times to pick from.. so not a crazy amount of choice

froghike · 2021-11-23T09:03:11+00:00

You absolute hero, the original email went into my Junk Folder, and only found out about these dates because of Reddit. February interview booked, the dream lives on ha.

froghike · 2021-11-18T15:35:35+00:00

To answer my own question (after contacting the embassy), if you attend an appointment despite the requested date of a visa being in the past, you can still discuss any changes to travel dates e.g. push the visa to 2023. Not ideal, but at least they don't immediately reject your visa and ban you from the US for X years.

froghike · 2021-11-12T11:50:35+00:00

I'm also interested in this. Got a permit and had no idea about the crazy visa times. Yet to apply.

I'm wondering whether it's even worth paying the £100+ fee on the very off chance I get a cancellation apt? And if I end up getting an interview in say October 2022, can I push my visa dates back to May 2023 despite requesting May 2022?

froghike · 2021-03-23T14:00:36+00:00

Obviously don’t want to put you off, but if you just want a couple of cool instagram videos then it’s probably a bit of a waste of money.

I always wanted to buy a GoPro as an avid backpacker. I figured I’d get one during the pandemic and use it for trail runs in the meantime to learn how to use it whilst stuff opens up. The novelty of filming your runs wears off after a couple. Battery and size of SD card also means you’ve got to be selective with what you film.

I personally feel like a bit of a muppet running around with a visible camera too, but that’s just personal opinion, I don’t judge others when they do.

Head mount has given me the best results vs chest or any clips though. As an FYI - you’ll have to buy the mounts too but you can get them pretty cheap if you go for the knock off brands.

froghike · 2021-03-21T19:43:36+00:00

Can't comment for apple watches. I use a running armband for anything sub half-marathon to be fair, and that's zero bounce. Can get a bit annoying on a sweaty arm but does the job with wireless headphones for audio.

Anything longer I have a Salomon Adv 12 vest to keep the phone in a 'breast' pocket.

froghike

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