What Makes an Ultramarathon Hard? How to Choose a Race
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- Опубликовано: 12 янв 2022
- It seems like every trail race markets themselves as the toughest around. How can they all be the hardest though, and what really makes a race hard? In this video, I explore all of the different variables that make some races harder for some runners but easier for others, to help you choose your races more effectively.
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Hi Jeff. “Retired ultra runner” here. I find your videos well thought out, “filmed” and produced. Started at 49 years old, ran the Vermont 50 in 1999. (Actually ran my first 50K in 1997, but that did not count, ha!) Ran my last in Oct. 2019, a RRR in the Grand Canyon. I was fortunate in the various Lottery systems, the demand for entry was less intense back then. WS still had the three time loser rule in effect, and that’s how I first gained entry. Ran it 4 times, last being 2007. I was very lucky at Hardrock. Got in first time I entered in 2008. Agonizingly had to withdraw due to undiagnosed SI problem. Managed to get right back in and successfully completed the run in 2009 (59 years old) then proceeded to be selected another 2 times in the following years, I got in 4 out of the 6 lotteries I entered. I ran several other 100’s that did not even have lotteries then, like Wasatch and Vermont. In fact you could still enter Vermont on race day! I was very intrigued with the longer races that have emerged like the Tour de Geants, Candace’s runs, etc, but the arrow of time has flown past. Your commentary on the variables and differences between runs was pretty thorough. Each run has specific physical and psychological requirements and if you do not do the necessary training success will not follow. My times for 100’s range from 20:12 at Vermont to 41:41 at Hardrock reflecting these differences. I have run with and without pacers, in the heat, at altitude, in bad weather, long travel to runs, etc. The differences in events are what make ultra running fun, enjoyable, and challenging. Age definitely plays a large factor in success, but is only one of the unique aspects of participation in the sport that has so much variety in people and places. Wow, that got long. Started out with a short note, but your video got the old juices flowing. I now vicariously live and enjoy watching your journey in all the great runs you have done. Thanks for your hard work making and posting these excellent videos.
4:44 this is a very important point and why I think marathons are generally harder than 50k’s, because everyone feels obligated to run in a marathon and walking is not that fun on roads. With a 50k, they are 99% of the time on trails, and even with just 5 more miles walking is much more expected and when walking the scenery makes it not boring.
jeff and audree at UTMB?
we gonna see more of the UTMB course thru your beautiful videos...
All of which makes ultrarunning (and trail/mountain running in general) so great and, imho, SO much more fun, challenging and rewarding than running on paved roads. I can only take so much running on roads before I get bored and unmotivated. Mostly because with so few variables, it's all about time. But with trails, the variety and challenges around the world are more than enough for one lifetime.
A rare example of an intelligent RUclips video. Thanks.
Jeff, this video is brilliant. You're a great teacher. Thank you for all of your videos, they are such a profoundly positive contribution to the sport. Maybe I'm bias but they are my favorite type of sports media on the internet. Thanks again and God Bless your upcoming season. I hope you get into all the races you want.
Thanks Jeff, fantastic content. I live at sea level, but currently completed an seemingly "easy" 10K in Colorado. Even with arriving two days early I was totally unprepared and practically had to walk the entire race distance. Having completed many prior events and actually leading my own local run-group, I was shocked at how the altitude difference had a profound impact on performance. Nevertheless, I learned a lot. Awesome to see experienced folks like yourself speaking about things to consider when preparing for big races. Thanks!
Great video. An idea for a future video: best first time ultras 50k, 100k, 100 mile. I see that question come up often. You’re the best!
I've ran pretty much every race Jeff mentions in this video without dnf'ing. As an ultra runner that prefers mountains, vert and longer distances with the goal of just finishing within the cut off times, here are some of the races that were the hardest for me: HURT 100 has a tight cutoff for the terrain and vert, TDG was a true test of sleep deprivation over multiple days and Spartathlon pushed me out of my comfort zone with tight cutoffs, lots of miles, and continual flat paved road running. All the other races still created their unique experiences and memories. Western States for feeling like you are competing in the super bowl for the day. Plain 100 for doing it all yourself, Badwater for the heat, pavement, and whole crew/team aspect, Bigs Backyard for the relentless no finish line in sight, the Iditarod for the cold and ability to take care of yourself in such a remote inhospitable environment. Hardrock for the altitude and wild and remote location. So many more races and memories, but Jeff is right, there is no one hardest race. The hardest race is the one that will challenge you the most in that moment.
You have done all of the races I mention! I really envy your running resume, sounds like you’ve had an amazing running career 🙌
@@JeffPelletier The number of bucket list races left to do is minimal, but the list of fastpacking and skimo adventures only grows longer. Keep inspiring us all through your visual storytelling.
Thanks Jeff for your amazing content !
Speaking of tough and grueling races, if you are looking for something different this year, there is the second edition of the Gaspesia 150 miles (Qc, Canada). This is a completely self-supported 150 miles race you have to complete under 60hrs. There is no flag, no course marking, no drop bag, no aid station, no pacers . We are talking about 18 000 ft of ascent, large variation of terrain (technical, non-technical terrain, mud, single track, large forest path), large temperature and climatic variation, and if you are lucky like we were last year, high humidity, rain, mosquitos and flies. Oh and you have to take pictures of specific places during the race. Pretty epic !
Great video Jeff. I've ran a handful of Marathons and one 50K trail/mountain ultra. I actually found my 50K experience to be easier than a traditional 26.2 road race. In a traditional road race, you're typically moving at a faster and more consistent pace. It's that constant pounding that wears on you. When I ran the 50K, sure I was out there much longer, and the rugged terrain/elevation gain presents it's own set of challenges, but often I was presented with opportunities to power walk up steep sections. Because of this, the steep sections actually gave my legs a break from the constant pounding. I actually saw the hills as an opportunity to figuratively "rest" and reevaluate where I'm at physically and mentally.
That’s exactly my feeling as well, that a 50k can be ‘easier’ than a road marathon, mostly because of the expectations we set for ourselves for those shorter and faster races.
Very good points your mention, and let's not forget the unpredictable weather of the day(s) when the run is held. The only time I entered a road marathon, one everyone told me it was notorious for being cold, sometimes snowy, but it ended up being very hot for the season (25C in March) and as I was new to longer distances, I DNFed due to dehydration, not adapting clothing-wise.
The other factor you didn't mention is whether you want to run an ultra in a race or just as your own adventure or even as an FKT. Actually, I don't care much for races, but I like running ultra distances. Not being in a race, my FOMO is far lower, as I can change the date, or if something bad happens during the run, it's easier to play it safe and just be happy with what I did that day (btw, I'll never win a race, my race goals are always 1. Finish 2. Enjoy 3. PR if I ran it before). The downside is that without the added pressure, I don't always push myself to bigger extremes, but that's not always a bad thing I think .
Anyways, great video again, keep them coming.
Couldn't agree more. I've been feeling weird about my first 100 as it's almost entirely flat, and ran on gravel, dirt and pavement. It follows the path of the Berlin Wall so altitude, elevation and heat (well, for some, I'm not from here so Berlin summer is brutal) isn't an issue.
But it's a flat 100, and it's hard to make peace with not running the whole course. It wasn't until someone who I find amazing basically told me they'd find the Berlin 100 the hardest race to prepare for because it's on the outskirts of a city, not in the middle of nowhere, but not around other people, and no time to stop, walk, and eat. It's all relative I guess
Jeff, I have been watching your videos and I am impressed by how articulate, professional, and informative you are. The quality of your footage and editing are high class, and your presentation is helpful and inspiring. Thank you from across the inlet in Burnaby.
" I've often found that a well-trained a properly executed 10k can be harder than just finishing an ultra on the cut-offs. "
There's a lot of truth to that. IMO, the hardest distance is a properly trained & well-executed 800m. I swear, 800m is the WORST trade-off in distance/intensity. You're basically just under sprinting speed for what feels like forever, with your body constantly trying to tell you that you're going to explode from like the ~500m mark until the end.
As a previous 800m high school runner yes this is an indisputable fact haha.
Instant subscribe from me. Cracking video for someone who has done a 50 and is planning a 100
Nothing could possibly be harder than the Barkley Marathons... Less than 20 finishers in 3 decades of racing.. 👍
Great analysis. Ultrarunners usually get into the sport because it is "hard" and impressive, but it is a little unfortunate that it becomes such a focus for judging the quality of a race as there are so many other factors which go into whether a race is worthwhile and enjoyable for an individual runner.
Really like this deep dive analysis, Jeff. The metrics you pull out for framing race difficulty are very interesting - as a professional data nerd this really got the gears turning for me. In comparing Western vs Hardrock, it would be interesting to factor in the selection rate or some other metric that would capture the average caliber of the selected athletes, since like you call out earlier on the race standards and selection bias have a big impact on relative difficulty (i.e. a race is “harder” too if it’s hard to get into in the first place).
There's a few in New Zealand that would make this list!
Another brilliant video. I agree with the giant loop vs laps. I run in trail to see things.
Thank you for being so inspiring! This video is great!
Very well done video and so very true, what you are saying. Thank you for creating these videos.
Watched your incredible Tor de Geants film for the 2nd time yesterday and now I'm really excited you posted something new today. Thanks for all of your videos.
Brilliant! Subscribed!
Love your videos. So very helpful.
This was a thorough look at the topic, loved it! I looked up REI's Masochist list of tough races, and found one near me. After 2 progressively harder, but still very easy, 50ks, I tackled Jay Peak 50k... and dropped at 22 miles along with half the field. The hardest part of that race, besides the grinding, long, steep inclines/ declines, was knowing that you could drop after the second lap, get the 22 mile medal, and NOT be considered a DNF. That was a big wiggly worm in my brain the entire second lap. I can catch the Miso noodle bar before they close, then spend a few hours on the indoor lazy river with my ever- patient and supportive husband... and that was that. If dropping weren't an option, I'd be curious to see what I would have dredged up. I'm going back this year, determined to train more ski slopes and conquer the temptation.
Thanks Kelly! Your experience resonates with me so much. That’s why I like more remote courses as well, where dropping is almost more difficult than finishing the race. We underestimate the mental side of things for sure.
Great channel mate, thank you for sharing!
Such a great video. It makes me think that I will take the time needed to select my first Ultra. Really helpful.
Can't wait to hear about the Ultra in Namibie.
Best of luck in the upcoming race season hope you get in all the ones you want. Oh and may your training also be successful!
Great video, Jeff! Really enjoyed the video essay. Hope you get to try the Dragonsback in sunny Wales one day (or the Spine Race) - I think you'd do really well!
Looking forward to your Racing Namibia video(s)
great to hear that vision of ultra running, cheers from basque country.
Super well made video.
Awesome vidéo! Very interresting!
Excellent video and presentation Jeff....thank you very much. As a beginning ultra trail runner you provide a forthright and honest evaluation of the sport. Thank you.
Very interesting thanks from London 🇬🇧
Great video! And best of luck to you this year. If you could get around to it, I'd like a detailed breakdown of what food you typically carry while fastpacking.
Great watch Jeff really enjoyable ,six foot track and gnw 100s are tough events in nsw Australia
Beau travail, et merci pour le partage d'expérience. Ce sont des paroles sages et bienveillantes.
Bonne année et bonnes foulées
Priceless Jeff, i also invited you to train on flat terrain at 90-100% humidity so 26-30 feal like 38-42 degres celcius on south shore Montréal (Québec)
after running a bunch of trail races from short and "groomed" to ultra distance, I've come to the conclusion that any race can be as hard as you choose to make it, BUT, some races have a "minimum level of difficulty"(MLD). for example, you can make a 10k road race very hard by running as fast as possible, but the MLD is very low...i.e you can walk it in at very low effort. some ultra races I have done in very high heat, humidity, rocky/muddy/rooty and big vert terrain have a high MLD...i.e. they cannot be completed at low effort. my equation doesn't help figure out which races are the "hardest", but helps me create a baseline of minimum level of difficulty, and how hard you choose to go above the MLD.
I love the premise of the question being asked here because I definitely came to realize it has to just be marketing to an extent. Looking at hard numbers of finishing rates and times however almost never lie. I also always held since I saw it that the Ouray 100, while challenging, has to be the least inspiring course I've ever seen haha. Great video Jeff! I did have one quick question because it seems I'm having trouble finding answers on their site, but if say I was to start from square one and would like to enter the UTMB series in say 2024 or 2025, what races or qualifications would I need to complete? I see a lot about running stones through a very small select races but I also see a larger list of races that give some kind of qualification metric? Cheers.
My favorite race so far has been the Chiemgauer100 in the German Alps, which has a 100km and 100mile distance. I'm signed up for the 100 miles with a 35 hour cut-off (which seems average for the 7500m elevation gain). Starts at 1pm (or later if you want) and finishes at midnight the next day. So you have to go through the full night, before the course returns to the starting point, and from there you start on a second loop for the remaining 70km. This one actually doesn't have any mandatory gear (which is very rare for mountain races here), because it's modeled after the big US 100mile events (but no pacers). But you can have drop-bags, and your own support crew (which also is different from many of the European events).
Sounds like fun! I actually like the idea of the double loop in that one - you’ll get a chance to see the views that you missed during the first loop at night while on the second one.
I am dying to watch your race in Namibia. Post the video please
Looking to register for my first ultra this year, the beaver flat 50. Loved your video on that race. I live in the Qu’Appelle valley Saskatchewan so pretty much the same valley landscape to the race. Hope it gives me a local advantage!
Nice! I’ve driven through there many times on my way to visit my family in Melville. Sounds like you’ll do great.
Have you ever considered pitching a show to the Outdoor network or Nat Geo? Your videos are Aces and you seem so natural in front of the camera. You've helped me take a deep dive down into the rabbit hole that is Ultra's and seriously considering my first 50 km!
Appreciate all your hard work and grateful you share it with us 🙏
Thanks so much! I do plan on applying for a Nat Geo grant, but I’m enjoying just doing my own thing right now without the constraints of a broadcaster.
YES! ANOTHER Jeff Pelletier video! Can the week get any better? I think not! I just signed up to run the Twisted Fork 68k/42 mile trail race in Park City, Utah taking place in late June. This race only has about 6k ft. vert, but the distance will be, ah, interesting compared to similar 50ks that I've ran previously. I'm looking forward to this race, particularly because I'll be running it with my brother too. Great video Jeff!!!
Did you say that you are an native to Colorado? I live in Colorado (eastern Centennial)!
I wish! I’ve lived in Vancouver my entire life, but I have visited Colorado a couple of times to run. Hope to head back to Silverton this year to support some friends again at Hardrock.
Do you also think about the season as a whole, and chaining events? A recent Salomon documentary is about D'Haene/Dauwalter running UTMB shortly after Hardrock, for example. Recovery and consistency is another form of challenge. Candidly, I want to be able to run (not race) a 50k whenever I want, more so than I want to run 100 miles.
Jeff, that was a beautiful video essay. Thank you. Have you done the Dragon’s Spine? I’m from Wales and have moved to Vancouver. Selfishly I’d love to know what you make of that. At any rate, thanks for your content. It’s tops 👍
I haven’t! I’ve yet to do any fell running, in fact. One day soon though I hope!
Very nicely done Jeff. That’s the beauty of our sport, so many different races with more and less difficult features. Can’t wait to see you at Hard Rock!
The toughest part of finishing either Hardrock or WS seems to be winning the lottery. Not that the course seem that easy, but it seems near impossible before 4-5 years of entering the lottery.
Hah, couldn’t agree more. Hardest part of finishing is definitely just getting a chance to start!
Great video Jeff, I really enjoy these, your knowledge and experience are such an asset, hearing how you deal with and adapt to different situations is great to hear. What Salomon pack is that, that you use for fastpacking?
Thanks David! It’s the Salomon XA 25. Here’s a full review: ruclips.net/video/sCl_w1rQ4Hw/видео.html
@@JeffPelletier would you recommend the 15 or the 25 for someone who would be doing at most 2 day fastpacking, but likely mostly just overnight trips.
I think 25l is probably the minimum for even one night. It’s pretty close to the same amount you’d be carrying for two.
What makes ultra races hard is the ratio of vertical gain/miles
Great video. Little question… when do we get to see your video from your desert race?
I’m planning on releasing the first episode in the series within the next two weeks.
Sounds like the actual hardest race would be: in the winter, with little sunlight hours; from extreme heat to cold; aggressive ascent and descent, on technical terrain, and one or two very long flat sections; totally self supported, with no pacers or aid; no flagging; pure lottery entry.
Yep, that about sums it up!
Hey First !
Have you ever done any orienteering events?
Just some local ones as part of the Vancouver Orienteering Club. I’d love to do a 24 hour orienteering event one day! You?
@@JeffPelletier I do quite a bit across Canada and the US mostly. There's a 24h event near lake Tahoe in 2023.
🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊
Barkley is hard? I thought it was impossible
manly man races! or womanly woman races! It's all subjective really.