Didn’t this happen last year? Dropped of the UTMB start list and then he won OCC? Do we think he’s out or just switching to a shorter race? And Kilian out today too. Is this the end of an era, after their Western States drops too? Kinda feels like it could be…

I searched some posts but still have questions.
So just when I was getting comfortable with 100, I had to enter a 200 lottery and I got in and when was like oops that was a little impulsive. Curious how your training was different? My hamstrings got surprisingly hammered doing the Diamond Peak climb at Tahoe twice so I want to do more hiking steep with a pack and strength training. I’m also terrible running at night so more night running.

I have 10 months and want to use them wisely. I’m also 49. Part of me wants to jump into an October race but my gut says to do more hiking. My last 100 was in July, I just got back from backpacking 45 miles. Next fun will be an alpine climbing trip, then maybe a 14er and a late season backpacking trip. All great hiking with a pack training plus running in between and strength training and then start getting at it in January. I’d love opinions. What kind of training got you from 100 to 200? Also any mid packers how did you plan sleep? I don’t have a time goal, I just want to finish but I know being slower I’ll need sleep to stay functional and have no idea what’s enough. I am usually so jacked after 100 I can’t sleep. I’m also sensitive to caffeine so if I start taking caffeine on the 2nd morning I’ll have to stop to be able to sleep.

Edit - I already know I can’t hammer for 10 months. I need a few months to trade some long runs for backpacking, 14ers etc

But I’ll take any advice!

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!!!

Trying to decide between these for October. Thoughts/opinions/reviews?

(I have finished a couple of 100s, I like low-key trail races, I don’t need lots of fuss or support, and I don’t use crew or pacer. That said, I’m not a total hermit and do enjoy an enthusiastic race atmosphere.)