Ultra runners - a taper question

[Wines Not Whines]

Do you think there’s any reason to taper differently for a 50k vs a marathon? My trail running coach recommends a 2-week taper, but I’ve always preferred a 3-week taper for long races. I’m wondering if there’s any reason to taper differently for an ultra. Last year I did a 3-week taper and it felt right (for a race that was ultimately canceled), but I was also coming back from an injury so I was conservative.

Also, please assure me that a 22 mile long run followed by an 8 mile run is enough for my longest training run(s). The race is 32+ miles and it feels so long.

[campermom]

I’ve watched your training posts and I’m constantly amazed at how you train. Creepily, I think of you bc I compare myself (not in a bad way, just to see if I’m being realistic about my goals!) and you train like a beast.

I barely run compared to you!

My last long run was 20 miles, 2 weeks before the 50k.
The week before I only did a 6 and a 4.
Two weeks before? A couple of piddly runs and once I even could not run a 4 miler. I simply couldn’t. Nothing hurt I was just done. I walked it.


I would consider myself far undertrained and still did it. I just did what I could between my work schedule and my husband’s drill schedule. Granted, it was my first and it was way over 8 hours, and I had to walk to last mile bc it was dark. But I’m already strongly considering another one in 6-7 weeks.

Just curious, have you done the course before? Are you aiming for a time?

[cinco]

IMO trail runners hate to taper. I feel like that is why they do 2w vs. 3w You are going to do great! I didn’t do more than a 22 followed by 6-8 for my first 50K. It was plenty. Don’t forget your overall weekly mileage is also high and that will help you a ton! For my 50 miler I trained exactly like the 50K, but the 50K was my longest “training run”. At a certain point it becomes more mental than physical. You will rock it!

[Wines Not Whines]

Thanks for the insight!

campermom I have run almost the entire course in training. My 30-ish miles of running this weekend covered almost the entire course (in two separate runs).