Ultrarunning: What Do You Think?

September 02, 2008 | in Fitness | 0 Comments

What are your thoughts on ultrarunning? Have you competed? Completed? Are you considering taking the step?

On a recommendation from writer and runner extraordinaire Amy Güth I checked out Why We Run by ultrarunner and scientist Bernd Heinrich. It's a fascinating, unique read about one man's motivation and methodology for approaching his first 100 kilometer race. As Amy explains, the author uses what he knows from his studies in the natural world to experiment with and tweak his own running ability. The distance is unthinkable at first, and since there was no formal training at the time for events like these, he hopes he can rely on what he can glean from insect, migratory bird and plains animals to get him to the finish.

Who Runs These Events?

The marathon—once considered the ultimate endurance challenge—is now slowly being displaced by 50 mile, 100km, 100mile and 150 mile races. A true test of the absolute limits of human biology, these races have become the pinnacle of endurance athletics. But who runs these races? And how do you even prepare to approach such a distance?

Dean Karnazes has made a somewhat high-profile name for himself in the sport, gaining media attention for his 50 Marathons in 50 States in 50 Days feat, which was filmed and released as a full-length feature film. Paul Stofko (pictured at the right after his recent completion of the Leadville 100 Miler), the certified running coach and personal trainer who provides advice and insight on our very own Ask "Crazy Legs" feature is a veteran ultrarunner, competing in and winning many ultra-long distance events. In Why We Run, Bernd Heinrich explains that running is natural to us as animals, and we have been built over time to participate. We are much more capable of great athletic works than we believe ourselves to be.

How Do You Start?

As we've mentioned earlier, Paul is offering a unique, hands-on training course for ultrarunning in association with Active At Altitude in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado this month. Training begins this weekend, but if you're available it's not too late to take part. (Contact Terry Chiplin by phone at (970) 586-4432 or by email at for more information.)

Have You Done an Ultra?

If you've competed in an ultra event, we'd love to hear from you about the experience. What motivated you? How did you train? How did it go? Leave a comment below and start the discussion.