Ultra marathons....craziness!!!

Has anyone ever read about it or even done one??

My toenails and intestines actually hurt just reading about it!! LOL. I am gearing up for my second half marathon on saturday....with the hopes of one day training for a full....and I just cannot wrap my head around people that can run for 9 hours or more straight...

Just curious to see if anyone has done one, or knows anyone that has. I don't think it can possibly be good for your knees to run that much, but i guess with proper training its more than possible. For ME i just can't even fathom 26 miles as of right now let alone anything more!! (But i WILL get there!!)

Re: Ultra marathons....craziness!!!

Having completed a marathon, I can say I will NEVER attempt to do more than a marathon!
I just ran a 25k about 2 weeks ago and there was a 50k going on simultaneously. I thought I was running a decent pace for 15.5 miles (~8:45 per mile) and these guys were flying by me, with perfect form... it was amazing. Once guy lapped me twice (it was a 5k course I had to run 5 laps and they had to run 10). Some people just "have it."

Re: Ultra marathons....craziness!!!

My friend runs ultras and loves them. I think it's the sense of camaraderie. if you think the running community is close...the ultra community is ultra close.


I don't have plans to run one, but I also said I would never run a marathon and now I'm on my 50 state journey.


Maybe after I reach that goal I'll run an ultra.

Re: Ultra marathons....craziness!!!

I could never imagine doing one, but my college cross country coach did them. Then again, he was a little bit crazy

Re: Ultra marathons....craziness!!!

I don't know how people have endurance like that. I can't imagine. It took every last bit of energy I had just to finish a regular marathon, I'd never be able to go further than that (& wouldn't want to!!!)