How to Run Your First Ultra-50K to 100 Miles

My goal is to help you successfully run your first 50K or your first 100 miler. Most people writing about how to run ultras are really fast, and that is great if “you” are really fast. If you are a middle-of-the-pack runner like me, what I write may be more applicable and useful. After all, we are on the trail a lot longer than those “fast” runners. Most of the Posts are available on my website "Run Your First Ultra" where the posts are easier to access by subject. (Link in the right column)

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Blood Rock 50 Mile - November 19th

Well, since the last post everything has come together for the new 50 Mile, 50K and 25K Race at Oak Mountain State Park. In fact, in 2017, we will host a 100 mile race at OMSP. Below is our Logo. Pretty cool!

By the way, watch for our ad in Ultrarunning Magazine this month.

Yes, the 2016 race will be November 19th and it will be tough. The 50 Mile will have over 9,300 ft of elevation gain, but the real story is how hard some of those climbs are. We have moved the start to the Fishing Center Pavilion at the north entrance to the park. The 50 mile, 50K and 25K will all follow the same course deep into the backcountry at Oak Mountain State Park, including dropping off the backside of Double Oak Mountain on a virtually unknown, long abandoned wagon road. Below is the new map of the 50 mile course and the elevation profile.

The 100 Mile in 2017 will be two laps of this course. The race next year will start at the Cabins on Tranquility Lake. We will reserve all 10 cabins for the race and they will be available for rent race weekend. Registration is now open for this years race at Ultrasignup.com.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Most of the techniques I use and equipment I run with was suggested by other ultra runners. Unfortunately, trial and error is still necessary. My closet contains 6 pair of trail shoes, (two of which I like and wear), eight hydration belts or packs, numerous headlamps, flashlights, jackets, socks, gaiters, etc, that I don't like or don't work like I hoped. Maybe this blog can help you eliminate some of the errors. I hope you enjoy it and learn from my mistakes. I have started a website listing all of the posts form the blog. The posts are grouped according to subject (equipment, training, Hydration, etc) for easier access. It will be a work-in-process for a while. Check it out at Run Your First Ultra.

Running History

Mile: 4:33, Mesquite High School, Mesquite, Texas in 1968.

Continued running just because I liked to until 1978 when I moved to Mobile, Alabama and started road racing.

Fastest 5K: 15 something

Fastest 10K: 35:38 - Festival run, Pensacola, FL, 1980

Fastest Marathon: 2:47 - Dallas Whiterock Marathon, 1982

Fastest Ironman, 12:49, Panama City, FL,2009

Fastest 50K: 5:49, Dizzy Fifties, Huntsville, AL, 2007 and my first Ultra.

Fastest 50 mile: First Half of the Rocky Raccoon 100, 11 hours, 15 minutes. (This is not a good idea)

Fastest 100 mile, 27 hours, 27 minutes, Rocky Raccoon 100, Huntsville, Texas, 2012.