Mustachian Marathoners/Ultramarathoners

[Trifle]

I'm impressed with all you ultra-runners, very impressed.

What made you want to tackle the long distances?

I got into long distance trail running by way of the Hash House Harriers. (On on!!)  I was running with the Hash years ago, and one weekend one of the hashers needed someone to run a 12 mile leg at a local trail relay run.  I said yes, even though I'd never run that far.  Fell in love.  Started entering more and longer organized trail runs.  I am not fast, but I love being in the woods, running single track.  Wind me up and I can go for hours.   

[Trifle]

Do you guys know the old ultrarunning joke -- Ultrarunner says to newbie "Hey, want to come with me today?  I'm going to go out four, and back four."  And the newbie thought he meant miles.

[cerat0n1a]

Do you guys know the old ultrarunning joke -- Ultrarunner says to newbie "Hey, want to come with me today?  I'm going to go out four, and back four."  And the newbie thought he meant miles.

You might like http://whatisultra.tumblr.com/

[Trifle]

Do you guys know the old ultrarunning joke -- Ultrarunner says to newbie "Hey, want to come with me today?  I'm going to go out four, and back four."  And the newbie thought he meant miles.

You might like http://whatisultra.tumblr.com/

Bwhahahaha!   Love it!   LOL on the end-of-race food table.  Is it that different in the UK? 

[cerat0n1a]

Bwhahahaha!   Love it!   LOL on the end-of-race food table.  Is it that different in the UK?

I think the US generally has a different take on required volumes of food compared to the rest of the world and that is not confined to ultra races :-)

"Eating and drinking contests with a little exercise and scenery thrown in" is the definition contained in Born to Run if I remember correctly.

[Trifle]

Bwhahahaha!   Love it!   LOL on the end-of-race food table.  Is it that different in the UK?

I think the US generally has a different take on required volumes of food compared to the rest of the world and that is not confined to ultra races :-)

"Eating and drinking contests with a little exercise and scenery thrown in" is the definition contained in Born to Run if I remember correctly.

Haha -- I think you're right about the huge disconnect on food volumes, unfortunately. 

ETA -- Although if I'm not mistaken, it was the British who invented that most hallowed of institutions the Hash House Harriers, a/k/a the Drinking Club with a Running Problem.  Beer really does taste better after running all day.   ;)

[asauer]

I'm impressed with all you ultra-runners, very impressed.

What made you want to tackle the long distances?

I started out with a goal of a half-marathon to get my lazy ass back in shape.  Honestly, I didn't think I'd be able to do it.  Then I did, and did another one, and another one.  So, I got to thinking, "huh, I wonder if I can do a marathon."  and it just snowballed.  After my first marathon, I was like "well, I guess I better stop wondering if I can do shit and just get out there and do it."  So, in essence, I have been taking on harder distances/ terrains just to see if I can.

A side benefit is that after years of struggling with stress and insomnia- I sleep all the way through the night 90% of the time.

[ardrum]

I also believe if everyone was forced to run hills until they couldn't anymore, crime would go down to near zero. It's hard for me to care about anything after finishing hill sprints, which is good for me because my mind is constantly racing with what ifs or what I think we need, when we don't.

I'll see people on our community Facebook page griping about petty stuff regarding the imperfections in aesthetics in our community and it cracks me up because it's obvious they have never put themselves in a position to realize that stuff doesn't really matter in life. In a way, you really do become enlightened to all the petty stuff in life when you train intense.

Haha, I love this post.  I do think humans would do better behaviorally with each other and psychologically if they regularly pushed themselves beyond their comfort zone on regular basis.  I see intense physical activity more like a requirement than an option for a good life.

I've got two 50K races coming up, one in September and one in October.

[snoot]

Yes! I have run a number of marathons and ultramarathons, including one 100 miler. Excited but not surprised that there are others on the board. The discipline and ability to work towards a future pay off is definitely consistent between FIRE and long distance running.

I spent part of last weekend volunteering at an aid station at a local 100k. It was so fun to be on the other side of the equation, and be able to help runners out when they needed it.

[Fomerly known as something]

I jumping back into the Ultra Ring myself at the end of October.  Doing a 12 hour loop race even though I'm under trained.  I've been speed walking more lately (thinking about giving that a whirl and a couple of shorter races that have a walk division next summer) so will be doing mostly walking in the race with a lets see what happens goal.   

[mm1970]

I also believe if everyone was forced to run hills until they couldn't anymore, crime would go down to near zero. It's hard for me to care about anything after finishing hill sprints, which is good for me because my mind is constantly racing with what ifs or what I think we need, when we don't.

I'll see people on our community Facebook page griping about petty stuff regarding the imperfections in aesthetics in our community and it cracks me up because it's obvious they have never put themselves in a position to realize that stuff doesn't really matter in life. In a way, you really do become enlightened to all the petty stuff in life when you train intense.

Haha, I love this post.  I do think humans would do better behaviorally with each other and psychologically if they regularly pushed themselves beyond their comfort zone on regular basis.  I see intense physical activity more like a requirement than an option for a good life.

I've got two 50K races coming up, one in September and one in October.

Ah ha ha ha, not an ultramarathoner.  But somehow ended up training again for an all uphill half (in reference to the uphill comment upthread), after last year's horrible race (95F) ... and I have to say, after 2-3 hours of up hill running, I'm pretty much a slug the rest of the day.  I can feed myself and the family, but not much more than that.

[marty998]

I'm impressed with all you ultra-runners, very impressed.

What made you want to tackle the long distances?

Many benefits, but mainly running all day makes beer even better

I like you.

I have my 4th Half Marathon this Sunday, and have penciled in a first full marathon for June next year.

The Ultras will come soon enough.