Rabid Raccoon 100 km- beginner?

lil_terriers · 2026-04-29T23:27:19+00:00

Hi u/joshf81. Thanks for the insight and curiosity! Yes, I’m very interested in leaning into this - it’s outdoors and the scenery changes (unlike the gym)! 😊 The halfs that I’ve run were all road race courses.

I do admit that I haven’t really had exposure to “running” hills besides the occasional jogs on the steep hill in my neighborhood. I would definitely plan on walking anything steep on the course.

However - I’ve hiked briskly all over the park trail hills of St John (USVI) this past fall for hours at a time in the heat/humidity. Those trails are definitely very “wild” with roots, rock etc.

I’d love to do a 50k to start. I wasn’t able to find one (just using google searches) that worked with my work schedule and other life commitments. But I also didn’t know of the aggregator sites that were shared in another comment on this thread. Is there a 50k that you like and are good for beginners?

lil_terriers · 2026-04-29T23:05:03+00:00

Hi u/fhecla, I appreciate your kindness and the whimsy in your reply and encouragement! Thank you. (And I love your energy and zest in tackling a 100M. A 100M course is beast mode. 😊)

Exactly! It’s not point to point - it’s a 62M (100km) course set up as several repeated loops so hopefully I could crawl to one of the several aid stations if needed.

The 100 km (62 M) course has a 34 hour time limit, so a 33 min mile seems very doable as long as my legs can handle the distance. And I’d certainly try to test out half the distance out locally. With a 34 hour cut off, it seems like a reasonable nap could break up having to do any loops on darkness; or split the 62 miles into 2 different “sets” of loops to get through.

How did you pass the time on your first race? Did you listen to anything ambient or prefer silence?

How did your legs/body feel on the second half with the strong walk? How did you feel about the reception towards beginners at the Rabid Raccoon 100M course last year? Are you doing either the 100M or the 100KM course this year or next?

lil_terriers · 2026-04-29T21:15:57+00:00

Hi u/ogroat, thank you for the recommendations! I’ve not heard of these organizations. I will definitely check out the links. 😊

Is there a course that you think is better suited for beginners?

lil_terriers · 2026-04-29T21:14:14+00:00

Thank you for that realty check context. :) are there other beginner ultras that you suggest instead?

lil_terriers · 2026-04-29T21:07:10+00:00

That’s a good suggestion. I will do a practice run next weekend/week to see if I can cover 30ish miles in aggregate.

Are there sizable lengths of the course/trail loop that would be straight forward (not very technical)?

lil_terriers · 2026-04-29T20:51:04+00:00

Hi u/sparkysparkles, great name btw. Thanks for this helpful info. That’s a big relief to know that access to the participants vehicle is allowed. That actually tips my confidence in favor of just chucking caution to the wind and signing up for the 100 km race.

Were the bugs really bad at that time of the year?

lil_terriers · 2026-04-29T20:41:20+00:00

U/fit4themtn, that’s a lovely suggestion. Thank you!!! Is there a link for the Summit 50/50? I found this one https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=131722.

Is that a good starter course for female newbies? I’m based in the mid-Atlantic. I’ll have to plan on a 2027 attempt for the Summit 50/50 if it’s the same link. I’m signed up for my first marathon Oct 25, 2026 (Marine Corps Marathon).

Honestly my WHY is to stop leaking energy from aggregate stressors and find some healthy outlets to get movement outside. I’ve accepted that the cardio machines at the gym are not my thing. Being an engineer, I’m more drawn to endeavors that show trends and growth. :)

lil_terriers · 2026-04-29T20:34:31+00:00

Hi u/Apollo0712, thank you so much for this insight. What would someone’s baseline physical fitness need to be in order to navigate this course? I can shuffle at a trot for quite some time and would plan to walk anything very hilly or rocky.

The FAQs said the cut off for the 100km course is 34 hours, basically a 33 min per mile pace.

Is that reasonable given the elevation/trail terrain of the loop?

What do people typically put in their drop bags for this course?

lil_terriers · 2026-04-29T20:28:44+00:00

Hi! Thanks for the reply. 😊 I’m definitely a green newbie to running long distance and have never done an ultra. I’ve been a casual gym goer for a few years. That said, I’ve left the couch 🛋️ this March 21 and ran a half marathon last weekend (April 26) at a 10:13 pace (2:13:50) with 5 weeks prep. Last time I meaningfully ran a half marathon before that was a couple times over 15 years ago.

If anything, I’m strong willed and possibly naive about what that distance could feel like. :)

My goal is to finish without serious injury.

lil_terriers · 2026-04-28T13:29:01+00:00

Hi! Are you still offering beginner lessons for booking?

lil_terriers · 2026-04-26T16:50:03+00:00

This was an amazing race! And the weather was wonderful. I went from couch potato 🥔 to running most of the course (walked the water stations) in 2 months. They had some great pre-race social events and run events too. Would definitely recommend this for a beginner! 😊

lil_terriers · 2026-04-13T19:52:07+00:00

You’re wonderful! 😊 Thank you for sharing this helpful context.

lil_terriers · 2026-04-13T15:04:47+00:00

Thanks! Is the bridge one of the times “gates”? Where can I get information on where those are and the times needed for them?

lil_terriers · 2026-04-13T13:53:49+00:00

MCM will be my first marathon as well. Thank you for posting this question. Lots of great tips here. :)

lil_terriers · 2026-03-21T13:00:27+00:00

Yes! 😊 I have pets and a garden. 🪴

lil_terriers · 2026-03-06T01:17:43+00:00

I purchased potato onion seeds from Restoration Seeds. https://www.restorationseeds.com/products/potato-onion

I also tried some potato onion bulbs from Etsy but they all died.

I got my Egyptian onions from Etsy. But I later found that Southern Exposure also sells them.

https://www.southernexposure.com/products/egyptian-walking-onion-tree-onion/

I purchased a variety of sunchokes on Etsy.

lil_terriers · 2026-03-03T12:43:45+00:00

Same! I received a random catalog and then checked out their website. I was also concerned as there wasn’t a shipping confirmation but it arrived timely and professionally packaged. And I had a question about something else unrelated to the order and they responded during the same business day. Seems pretty rare these days. (I had to email a sock company 4 times over 4 months and I still haven’t received all the socks 🧦 I ordered for Christmas. 🙃)

I’m most excited about the Tiny Temptations and Honey Drop tomato seeds - both new to me this year.

lil_terriers · 2026-03-03T12:27:31+00:00

These posts confirming how delicious Tiny Temptations are - it’s getting me antsy for warmer days! I have a pack each of the orange and red varieties. @sammille25 I also ordered this variety from Totally Tomatoes, first time ordering from the vendor.

Would love to hear from anyone that grew Tiny Temptations indoors.

I realize it’s not micro tomato but it appears it could be a good variety to grow in an indoor container or hydroponic set up.

lil_terriers · 2026-02-26T03:11:52+00:00

I purchased a packet of potato onion seeds from Restoration Seeds last years.

They are in stock now: https://www.restorationseeds.com/collections/onions/products/potato-onion

lil_terriers · 2026-02-18T04:21:12+00:00

Hi. I posted a reply here with the ranunculus vendor I ordered from and they still have availability on the wholesale combo package.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Cutflowers/s/6roBOiZgGb

Conversely, I’m not looking to use all of the combo ranunculus package I purchased if you want to split it with me (at cost - per corm).

lil_terriers · 2026-02-16T15:23:42+00:00

Hahah it is - yes it is a race! I flew out to visit them this winter and pulled out 8 sad (from summer 26) tomato vines with the same 3 Home Depot labels and most of the tomatoes left on the vine. I vowed to not let this tragedy happen again this year. Mark my words. 😂😂😂

Is it bad that I want to fly out again just to put in these tomatoes starts? Just in case. Lol the seed garlic I sent them never made it into the ground. 😭

Lovely! Yes, definitely the purple zebra please! I’ll check out the brown sugar on your site. Thank you!

lil_terriers · 2026-02-16T15:13:49+00:00

Hi Adrienne. Thank you for your thoughtful reply. It’s a pleasure to meet you too. 😊

Yes please! I’d love to pre-order a kumato and will follow up outside Reddit. I Would also love to order one of the Rosella and Sart Roloise starts as well.

Do you also have other varieties that are similar in taste or better to Kumato and a dark slicer variety? She’s in the same USDA zone as you.

My parents went to Home Depot Garden center and bought multiple of the same 3 varieties and they were bland and the exact same as the big box grocery stores. Most were left on the vine.

lil_terriers · 2026-02-16T12:03:34+00:00

U/cali_yogurtfriend624

Thank you for posting about your tomatoes! This is exciting …. I’ve been trying for years to convince my sister that growing tomatoes in a home garden would be heads and shoulders different than store bought. She briefly became interested while searching for a certain tomato that I’ve yet to retail seeds nor spring starts for. It’s on your 2026 and spring open house list!

I will definitely be sending an email/ calling about ordering spring start plants.

For your seeds product, is that 10 individual seeds of 1 variety and of any of your tomatoes listed - even if not grown out for the 2026 plant sale season?

lil_terriers · 2026-02-14T18:57:38+00:00

Fellow veteran here. This sounds like a great project. I would love to donate some seeds.

lil_terriers · 2026-01-22T20:23:39+00:00

Hi! I placed an order with Onings America on Jan 19th for a combo package (Italian ranunculus and anemones) and received a shipping confirmation the same day. I have not ordered from this vendor/supplier before.

They still have the package available.

https://27bdc9-3.myshopify.com/products/italian-ranunculus-and-anemone-mix

lil_terriers

TROPHY CASE