The definition of ultramarathon training

In an effort to try and explain what it’s like to train for an ultramarathon, or “ultra” as we call it, we first need to define what it is!  An ultra is any distance longer than a marathon, which is 26.2 miles. So a 50k is about 31 miles. To train for these, most people need good quality runs of longer distance (I.e. 6-12 miles a few times a week) and a good long run (usually done on the weekend, consisting of varying but longer distances). As you can imagine, this training takes time!! A lot of it!!

When both you AND your spouse are both training for ultras, it also takes a lot of coordination of schedules, compromise, and patience. And acceptance that neither of you will be able to really run the recommended 4-6 times a week due to each others’ time required to get in training runs... especially between jobs, raising small children, church/volunteering, and trying to maintain a social life!  I’ve often considered letting my goal go of trying to do another ultra (I even talked about it this AM!) just because honestly my hubby is an AMAZING runner - way better than I am - and he deserves the chance to hone those skills to their utmost ability. I truly believe he could do insane things, like win these 100 mile races he does. But being the self sacrificial and humble guy he is, he is not willing to let me drop my dreams. Sometimes that “dream” feels more like a nightmare when in the throes of peak training!  Haha!! 

I’d like to give you a glimpse of what training for an ultra really is like.  So here goes...

Ultra training is...

• Having the constant conversation with your spouse, which usually starts like this: "When are you running this week?" OR "When can I run this week?"
• Missing your mid-week run because you're just too tired and asking to have your husband's mid-week run day.
• Having your husband go for his run anyway but getting up earlier than usual to allow you to still get your run in - you know, the one you were too tired to get in the day before :)
• Getting up BEFORE dawn, wearing all kinds of lamps on your head, lights on your body, and reflectors anywhere you can fit them.
• Still dodging cars despite all above measures to be seen because people cannot drive, are too busy looking at their phones & driving, or simply don't care.
• Going to bed early even when friends/family are still up and having fun without you.
• Having extremely understanding family and friends who know after a while what to expect.
• Having amazingly SUPPORTIVE family and friends who not only tolerate but often ENCOURAGE our crazy shenanigans.
• Using sticks of lubricant on areas you never thought would get chafed, but they do, and you don't know until you get in the shower... and vow to never let it happen again!
• Learning to run with insane amounts of fluid - usually in a backpack made for running - and still running out of said fluids on a long run.
• Learning to run with gas and knowing what to trust and what not to trust ;)
• Learning - sometimes the hard way - which foods the night before a long run will equate to a terrible run the next day.
• Becoming extremely open about your bowel habits with your running partner, even to the point of scooting off in the woods or a port-a-potty at a construction site if you're lucky, in the presence of your running partner.
• Letting your running partner borrow your wipes if they forget their own and then be their look-out for coming cars
• Aid stations that go beyond gummy bears, to include real food and lots of beer
• Cheering for each other, because ultra runners don't compete against each other - there's no room for cockiness or pride here.
• Learning to love trails, because most ultras are run there and not on endless boring roads.
• Sore ankles, and unsightly toenails, and blisters on feet
• Torturing yourself with foam rolling and dry needling, but also rewarding sore muscles with Epsom salt baths and rewarding your 1500+ calorie deficit with a burger or a Bojangle's biscuit.
• Dodging tree branches and learning really quickly how to pick up your feet because your toe WILL find a root. 
• It's seeing God's astounding creation first hand, like many others will never see, and being breathless from that more than from your running.
• Allowing yourself to run slower because, hey, you gotta run a lot of miles and 30+ miles usually aren't run fast
• Getting over yourself. Really quickly. That usually happens on your longest run before a big race, when you're raw and vulnerable and feel like the worst runner on planet Earth. Ultrarunning is not for those with big egos or something to prove.
• Getting all your long runs in and never feeling "ready" to run your ultra race. It's (in my case anyway) always about second guessing your training and yourself and your fortitude.
• Showing up for your 30+ mile race anyway, still raw and vulnerable and perhaps underprepared, but somehow also brave and hopeful and doing it scared out of your mind.

"The only way to find true happiness is to risk being completely cut open." --Chuck Palahniuk