Let’s talk about 50k’s.

[campermom]

Who has done one?
What’s the best advice you’ve heard?
Favorites to pack?
Nutrition?
Training plans?
Any concerns about cutoff time and getting DQd?

Anything at all will help!

I’ll go—I haven’t done one YET but I’m signed up for mid Jan.
I can’t speak on the advice yet.
Mine is Trail in questionable wintery conditions. It could be ok but it could be freezing rain or snow. Elevation gain will be btwn 2500-3000 feet.
I have a camelback and I’ll have chapstick, gels, blocks, my phone, boosters, and I’m going to start training with a concentrated tailwind flask in addition to my 1.5 liters of water. I can refill water at aid stations. They will have plenty of food. I’ve been training on a full stomach. I might bring TP? Just in case? They have warm bathrooms at the start/finish and it’s two 25k loops. I can stop after one loop and it would be ok.

I do not plan to change my clothes or socks or shoes. Everyone told me it takes too much time and they will just get wet again. I’m
Wearing injinjis with wool socks over top.

Training: I’m pretty much slacking off on the Hal Higdon ultra plan. My marathon was Nov 10, and I did 12, 16,and 20 trail so far. I’ll do somewhere btwn 20-26 next weekend then taper down. But I really haven’t been running midweek. I’ll be ok right?

Timing: the cutoff is 8 hours. I did my road marathon in 4:45 but it took me over 5 hours to do 20 miles this weekend. My time really slowed on those last 5 miles too. Are my DQ worries rational or irrational? I’m told if I’m close, to look strong at the last aid station and they won’t pull me. What should I run these next few weeks?

[Wines Not Whines]

I trained for a 50k last winter that was cancelled at the last minute (a few hours before the start) due to bad weather. Because of travel and other commitments over the next 6 weeks, I wasn’t able to run a different one. I ended up running a 25k trail race a couple of months later. So I’ve been through the training, but not the actual race. I’m training for another 50k this winter - same race, but this time I want to come up with a solid backup plan!

My training plan is a pared-down version of my marathon plan. Less focus on speed workouts, and one run per week on trails. My longest training run last year was 22 miles, and I plan to do the same this time.

I’m not sure what the cuttoff time is for my race, but I think it’s pretty long. I haven’t heard any concerns about it. I should figure that out.

For nutrition/fuel, my favorite foods to eat on the trail are peanut butter filled pretzels and blueberry newton cookies. I carry them with me. I also plan to eat food from aid stations - probably mostly PB&J sandwiches, chips, and pretzels. Last year I used Tailwind in my pack. This year I’m trying Skratch, which is similar.

I don’t plan to have a drop bag or change clothes unless it’s raining. If it’s one of those days when it rains early and then clears up, I may want to change into a dry shirt or socks.

[labbie]

Who has done one?

I've completed 3, 2 were timed races, and 1 solo as a training run for a 50m. 

What’s the best advice you’ve heard?
If you think you're starting out too slow, slow down. 

Favorites to pack?

I always pack spare socks and shoes and anti-friction stuff for feet/body. I've changed socks once (during torrential downpour), not sure it helped. More of a mental security to know I had the option. I carry or have available in drop bag Fig Newtons, Huma and/or Gu gels, and sometimes cheez its.

Nutrition?

I do best on about 250 cal/hour. I carry Tailwind, and from aid station anything that sounds good after a few hours. Most often pb sandwich, dill pickles/pickle juice, potato chips.

Training plans?

I used a combo of the plan in the book Relentless Forward Progress and a free online plan from a running club. I didn't stick 100% faithfully to it (subbed XT for some mid-week runs, and took extra rest days as needed, especially towards end).  Imo, the long runs and being on trails are the most important, and you can absolutely do it if you've run 20 already. Take walk breaks and when it gets tough to keep going, give yourself small goals along the way (running to the next flag, next big rock, etc.) and chip away at it. Forward is a pace :-)

Any concerns about cutoff time and getting DQd?
For me it wasn't an issue as the 2 races were 12 hour timed races/run what you want. I would go for it, there's no shame in DQ'ing if you're out there going for it. 

[hannahb]

I think the biggest help for me while training was back to back long runs. You say you aren’t running much during the week but I would try and following up your long run with another “mid” long run. For example, I think I did a 20 miler followed by a 10-12 miler while training (if I’m remembering correctly)
I did tailwind in my pack. Didn’t take much from aid stations because of food allergies, maybe some chips around mile 16. I had gluten free pretzels in my pack and at a drop station. I was fine energy wise
I did change my socks at mile 20 but only because I knew we had no more stream crossings and my feet were soaked. Maybe have it in case?
Try not to worry about time. So much can happen and you don’t want that consuming your thoughts. I ended up taking a wrong turn and the group I was with ended up running an extra 5kish. At first I was pissed but then I realized it’s all just about having fun in th woods. In general ultras are way more relaxed than marathons

[cinco]

Who has done one?
I’ve done a 50K and a 50M

What’s the best advice you’ve heard?
Train on similar terrain as your race and focus on time on your feet. Speeding through 20 miles in 3 hours on the roads won’t help a race that is 6-8 hours.

Favorites to pack?
As little as possible! I hate carrying stuff.

Nutrition?
I used Skratch and gels and then had little bits of stuff at aid stations. Pretzels and potato wedges sit well with me.

Training plans?
I found something on the internet, and then altered it a bunch. At highest mileage over the w/e would be 20-22, and then 8-10 the next day. That was fine for 50 miles!

Any concerns about cutoff time and getting DQd?
I was worried about finishing my 50M before dark, but tried not to focus on it. One foot in front of the other and have fun!

[labbie]

hannahb and cinco brought up one of the best points that I completely forgot about. Totally agree about the back to back runs being key.

[Mushe]

I’ve only done one, but there’s super good advice here! I totally agree with trying B2B runs, and focusing on time on your feet. Midweek runs for me were all pretty fast pavement, and only a long run on trail on the weekend. I was definitely feeling the time on my feet by the end.

Also agree with bringing as little as possible. These aid stations are stocked so well that I prefer to run light. A little TP isn’t a bad idea, though! Not embarrassed to say I had to make my own pit stop along my 50k. It happens!

I wouldn’t worry about changing clothes or socks. It sounds like you have a good plan on those. I did bring a throwaway shirt that I left at an aid station, but it was about 27 at my start, and I had a river crossing over knee height at less than a mile in. I really needed that shirt for a while!