So I am really having a hard time deciding on my future runs. I am registered already for the Avenue of the Giants run in California next spring. I’ll be running my third marathon. A month later I want to run a 50 km ultra right here at home called the Blackfoot Ultra which happens in a nearby wilderness recreation area. The course is two 25 km loops. I need to register for this early or I won’t get in. But I don’t know if I can do it and I hate wasting the registration fee if I find I can’t run it. And how do I handle it? I mean, it happens just under a month after I run that marathon so do I train for it or do I avoid training and just worry about resting/healing from the marathon? Maybe I’m just writing this in an effort to talk myself into registering for that Ultra. If I don’t register for it and I somehow feel great, I’d probably kick myself for missing out. No doubt I am going through the same mental spiral of thought every runner goes through.
Here’s what I’ll probably do based on my past actions: I’ll say to hell with it and just register for it anyway and hope for the best.
I say go for it, John! You will have to do some running in between your marathon and ultra but it should be easy runs based on how you feel. Hal Higdon has some free training plans on the web for “multiple marathons” and has a training plan for 4 weeks between marathons. I would modify that plan based on how you are feeling. You will already have the endurance, so you just need to maintain some running that month. It sounds like a great challenge! I’m contemplating a 50 miler at the end of next May. 4 loops around a conservation area with a monster hill at the end of every loop (at least no one actually runs the hill, so I can count it as a bit of rest time).
Joanne, you are so evil…you were supposed to say, don’t do it John! Stay home on the couch, watch TV and eat bon bons…
Good luck on your 50 miler in May! I’ll be thinking of you then.