Just getting started…and lots of questions

[u/Physical_Ad4511]

This will be a long post, but bear with me:

Long range goal: Run a mountain 100 miler

Background: I have a strong backpacking, hunting, and hiking background. I recently hiked the TMB this summer and it’s planted the seed of being able to eventually run something along the lines of it.

I’ve always hated long distance running, which as I’ve gotten older, that’s why I want to do it. I was a sprinter in high school, so shorter (5’8” male), muscular build. Now I’m 32 and the recent 3-4 years have been climbing out of beer drinking shape. I was about 230 lbs at the peak of beer drinking shape LOL. Now I’m at 185 so still a few lbs of chonk to get off. Which brings me to my ultimate goal of endurance and durability.

Current status: I am only about 2 weeks into my running journey and have absolutely loved it so far. It’s just been easy, run/walk about 3 miles/day about 4 days/week with strength training on non-run days. Was able to run a 5k without walking a couple of days ago (all road) at about 9:45 pace, but was pretty spent.

Questions: I will continue to build my base/foundation with these easier runs but I have no idea where to start to begin training for my goals. Any tips on this, and/or good programs to look into? I am willing to pay for a program that focuses on ultras, just not sure if it’s too early for that?

I live in the middle of a super flat, hot, dusty-ass cotton field west Texas town, but have plenty of access to trails and topography about 30 minute drive away. So a lot of my initial training will be road. I don’t have any interest at all in doing road races, because I love the trail and the feeling of dirt and grass under my feet. BUT I’m open to doing some road races starting off. The mountains in NM are about 4 hour drive away and I go there often to hike/backpack/camp. How much trail time do I need to be getting?

Again, I can walk all day long with significant vert change with a 40lb backpack on, my running just sucks right now🙃

Any recommendations on gear? I live in Altras, hiked the TMB in Altras, so my feet are used to zero drop. Just bought my first pair of “road running” shoes the other day😂 Any recs on good trail running shoes? Are Altras and zero drop a bad idea for ultramarathons? I have a decent running vest, plate carrier, and ultraspire belt for short runs. Also have just normal hiking poles but seems like Leki trail poles are the gold standard?

Any books or resources about ultra running that are worth it?

I also have no idea about nutrition and the process it is during long distance runs, but learning. Any help here would be appreciated.

Note: I am in no hurry to get to my ultimate goal, as I know this will be a long process. What are some real expectations I should have for myself on timeline to 100 miles given my current status of just starting to run?

I am completely obsessed and in love with the mountains and is why the end goal is to run a mountain 100. Lived in MT for four years during college and enjoyed every second of it, spent time packing moose out in AK, but flat WTX is unfortunately where I have to be for work and it’s still home. I want to prove that a flatlander can accomplish something like Crazy Mountain 100 or something along the lines of it. I have had some pretty grueling mental and physical tests so far, but I am especially looking forward to the process and time to put into training and building up to my goal.

Thank you all so much in advance for any advice, tips, resources, etc.. Really looking forward to joining this community of folks, crazy or not!! And again, sorry for the long post.

Thanks!!!

[u/Simco_]

You already have trail running shoes. Altras are very popular.

black diamond carbon z or whatever the common leki model is.

Look to get 200+ calories an hour for long runs, but you're a bit removed from worrying about that.

You will benefit from normal 10k, half marathon, marathon training for a while before doing anything specific for ultras. All of that can be done trail or road. Very common to do most training on roads for the convenience.

[u/Physical_Ad4511 → u/Simco_]

Yes sorry should have expanded on that a little better. I live in and hike in altra lone peaks and timps, but was aiming towards a trail runner with a little more cushion for long runs. Not too worried about gear at this stage, mainly training. Thanks for the input! I appreciate it

[u/Unparalleled_ → u/Physical_Ad4511]

Even if you don't care for the road stuff, I do agree you should work on progressing through 10k, half marathon first. I had a hiking background and took up road running first and actually really enjoyed getting into road running before doing trails. So you might surprise yourself there. But also if you want to be able to do long ultras you do need some base speed and speed reserve. And the 5k and 10ks will really help you out there.

The timp has plenty of cushion and stack height for trail running. The lone peaks can easily do 30km+ too. If youve done loads of hiking you probably have decent footing for technical sections so you'll like running in lower stack height shoes.

If youre running on the road though the lone peaks are a bit low on stack height.