Discussion: Hi guys (new member)

Hi all,
I'm from New Zealand, training for my first 100 miler in August. Look forward to getting to know some of you in here MF.

Welcome MF. My first 100 miler will be in June and I am not as ready I was hoping for. It should be fun regardless.

I think we all think like that ~ could be fitter, haven't done enough training, don't know if I will be able to finish etc etc.
What race are you doing? Good luck with it buddy, I'll add your log to my favourites so I can see how you're coming along with your training MF.

I've done the 100 mile distance 4 times now...and I always feel like I'm undertrained (and overwhelmed) by the distance. Luckily, the 100 mile distance is really all about suffering - it hurts for everyone...so just get used to it and keep on moving. My husband ran one of the fastest 100 mile times in the country last year...and I can attest that he and I had similar suffering (and I was about 15 miles behind him!).

This year, I'm training up for my first year with two 100 milers...about 5 weeks apart. Yikes! But, it'll be an adventure!

Thanks Amy, that was a great post above.

You are insane, but so is your husband so you are unlikely to hear those words from him haha. Good luck for your big year ahead, I'm sure you will do great. When are your races? MF

This crazy summer will have Vermont 100 first (in mid-July), which is a 'runnable' 100 miler...it's the only 100 miler I've ever done...so I'm going for my 5th finish in as many tries. Then, 5 weeks later (end of August) is Cascade Crest 100 in Washington. It's a hiking 100 miler, with something like 22,000 feet elevation in the race. I've had a ton of friends who did that race and keep telling me that I would love it and should do it. I can't wait!

But, this all means that I have to keep training hard all spring to lead up to this, and then enjoy the journey!

When I started ultras, I would stand at the starting line thinking 'this is crazy, why do I think I can run that far?'...then, I felt comfortable with the 50k distance - but would still think that before 50 milers and above. Now, I feel comfortable enough at the 50 mile distance that it doesn't intimidate me anymore...and it's just the 100 mile distance that I still can't wrap my head around, and I've done it before!!!

I had similar experience after finishing first 50 miler. While preparing for it I knew it won't be easy but I knew it that I could do it probably and I did. But few weeks after if someone asked me if I can do 50 miler I'd reply with resounding "NO!!!". I was less confident about my abilities after completing one.

Amy - I was thinking about your comment that everyone suffers, even your husband who posted one of the fastest 100 miler last year. There is a difference however... He suffers maybe 14+ hours where I'd be suffering 24+ hours...

That's true...for sure...but still, my point is that 100 miles hurts for everyone, and we're all just as tired at the end. Of course, my husband finishes and is hurting, but has several hours of recovery by the time I finish. He was able to post such a fast time last year by realizing that it hurt no matter what pace he ran - but if he hurried up it would be over quicker. Me, on the other hand, I had a mental breakdown mid-way through the race...and luckily my crew was amazing and wouldn't let me quit...and I turned out finishing with an almost 1-hour PR!

I know what you meant Amy... However what you just said outlines another thing that is true with ultras - longer the distance more mental it is. Actually it's true with every running distance. 50M or 100M dash is display of pure athleticism. 200M dash - still very athletic distance but requires some smarts. 400M requires lot more smarts then 100M. 800M distance is first where runners use tactics to win races.

So what do you think is harder, suffering for 14hrs or suffering for 21+hrs?..

So far my longest run has been a 70km mountain run, going to try an 80km in a few weeks. Looking forward to it!

If running at the same intencity then suffering 24 hours is harder. But it does not mean that guys who run 100 miles in 14 hours do that with ease. They might be hurting as much afterwards if not even more then someone who does it in 24 hours.

MF - I saw your lifting pictures from link on your profile. You dont look like musclehead at all. Imressive what you have been able to do.

Thanks Gil, I'm far from being anything like a 'musclehead' lol. I hated being labelled as a bodybuilder (because I'm not), I just like to lift heavy !!

The website was just a bit of fun, kind of a snapshot of what I'm doing I guess. Thanks for taking a look, I honestly have no idea whether anybody does or not ?! Keep up your good work, it's inspiring MF.

You have been lifting pretty heaving weights, My Friend.

Also what I find it interesting that you are doing it as vegan. If conventional wisdom says vegan diet might be beneficial for runners then many might argue that it would not work in sports requiring muscle strength and explosiveness.

I am not vegan myself but I find it interesting that when vegan diet is brought up they vehemently refuse to discus it. #1 nay sayer argument is that you must have protein in your diet.

Are you aware of any other vegan strong men?

There is high profile American athlete who is close to be as vegan as you could be is Arian Foster. Even if he eats occasional chicken he is proving nay sayers wrong that you must have meet protein to have explosive muscles

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/article-2/Arian-...

There are a number of vegan powerlifters that excel at the sport, this guy is one of my favourites:

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/?page=bio_bill

As for running, I thought this was a nice little article about Scott Jurek:

http://www.blisstree.com/2012/05/30/fitness/run/ea...

I have his book and it's an amazing read, very informative and motivating at the same time. Definately compounds my beliefs that you don't need meat to reach your athletic goals, and you definately don't need meat if you are looking to live a long, healthy life free of pain and disease. I have heard of 80/10/10 but TBH I've never really looked into it in any great detail.