Bored? Help me plan next year

[mrshandy]

So I've hinted this a few times, but I think I'm going to try to do a 50-miler next year, specifically the JFK-50 miler. I've had this on my radar for a while because it's an iconic ultra and just looks cool. It may be the only ultra I ever do. I decided next year should be the year since I'll be trained up for Boston and if I start going down the triathlon path again, I'm not going to want to jump back in 2020 to do an ultra. 

April - Boston -I'm planning to keep up swimming as cross training throughout my marathon training. I'm leaning towards Hanson for the my training plan, mostly because I've never tried it and I need something different from Pfitz. I don't have a specific goal for Boston, just want to have a better race than last time. I don't want the pressure of trying to PR when the race weather is so unpredictable and the course will run long like big races always do.

May - July - I would like to squeeze in a sprint triathlon somewhere, but dammit the schedule is looking dicey. I need it to be within driving distance and most of the local races are June 15-16. We've already planned a camping trip for that weekend. There is one on May 19, but that may be too close to Boston. Most of the ones in July require an overnight stay which I'm not really interested in doing for a sprint. 

July - November - 50-miler training. I was thinking of signing up for Chicago Marathon and using it as a training run. I can get an auto entry with my Richmond result from last year. I can knock off a Abbott World Major. I have family in Chicago that I can potentially stay with. It will be about 6 weeks out which I think should fit in ok. I haven't decided on a plan yet. But googling tells me that this would work ok.

I'll need to get some trail running in. The course is a mix of road, single track trail and crushed gravel on the C&O canal. Will I need trail shoes for this? Googling is telling me not really, but I will be doing practice runs on trails so I probably should get some for that. 

Thoughts? Is it crazy to try to fit in a triathlon in between Boston and the JFK? I really would like to not go through the entire 2019 without a triathlon. It just feels wrong. I invested in all this gear and I feel like I should be using it, LOL. 

[cinco]

I think it sounds like a good plan. I wouldn't do much running in between May & July so I think a sprint tri would be a perfect fit.

As far as JFK, the AT portion is technical and very rocky. I will never not be nervous on those switch backs! I would wear trail shoes to start and switch to regular shoes on the C&O at the allowed crew station. Definitely get some trail runs specifically on the AT b/c it is rocky and takes some getting used to. I enjoy it, but there is a good amount of ankle twisting and cursing in every run. The C&O gets a bit boring, but there are so many runners and aid stations I've heard it is a big party (at least for the mid packers and back of the packers, lol). I live a couple blocks from the start and volunteering for this race is one of my favorite things to do all year.

[Wines Not Whines]

I think your plan is realistic. A few of my friends have run 50 mile races, including JFK. They all ran marathons (both road and trail marathons) as training runs. A 50k could also be a good training run.

I recommend trail shoes. They’ll give you better traction. You’ll be running enough trail miles to make it worth it.

[labbie]

I'm a slow runner, so take my 2 cents with a grain of salt, but I think your plan sounds good and in fact the tri training will be great cross-training and endurance training for the ultra. The only thing I'd throw in is that to make sure the Chicago marathon is truly a training run (i.e. at long run pace) versus race pace. What a great event to be able to take in everything at a long-run pace!

[hannahb]

No real advice but if pacers are allowed at any point, I’d be happy to tag along on some miles!

[mrshandy]

Oct 18, 2018 13:00:13 GMT -5 hannahb said:

No real advice but if pacers are allowed at any point, I’d be happy to tag along on some miles!

I wish! No pacers allowed from what I've read online. 


cinco, That is so cool! It is beautiful out that way. I will definitely have to take a trip out to the AT to give a try before jumping in. 

[sadlebred]

Sounds like a solid, well thought out plan!

[ktzmoh]

I think this sounds solid! I even think you could throw in a sprint tri at any point during the summer as just a fun race - it shouldn't take too much out of you recovery wise given the level of fitness it looks like you'll be maintaining all of next year.

I think it looks pretty great to me!