how did you train for your first ultra run?

Okay, ultra runners, I'm sure you get this question a lot (possibly the most common question?), but tell us about your first ultra race/run (distances beyond marathon). And what you did to prepare for it. Or maybe a better or follow-up question, if you DNF'd your first one, how did you train for your first *completed* 50 or 100 miler. Either way...

Feel free to expound on your strategies, ie, what worked for you regarding walking vs running, food, training distance or time, etc.

My first ultra was a 50 Miler I did off marathon training. I did alright, ran very conservatively early on and finished strong.

You make it sound so easy! Do you think most people could do 50 miles off marathon training? (I'm assuming you meant road marathon training) Surely it would depend on how difficult or hilly the 50 miler was ...

It wasn't hard. It was an easy course (Sunmart near Houston) and I was just looking to finish. I think most people could do it if they are doing serious marathon training. Here five years later I've got a considerably higher standard so I train specifically for the race I want to do.

I ran my first ultra (69km trail / mountain run) from a half marathon and marathon background. My main things that I believe allowed me to run a successful race were:

* Having a consistent weekly long run - I ran more or less a marathon 3 weeks out of every month at the weekends
* Not neglecting your speed work - longer, slower runs don't activate the fast twitch fibres in the legs. Doing a bit of speed (say for example a 30min run at 10km race pace most weeks) ensures you have maximal muscular potential
* Solid nutrition, especially straight after your training
* Race experience - I ran an off road marathon two weeks before the ultra and then took it easy
* Practising running at the pace you need to and including walking breaks for hydration and nutrition
* It's not about going fast (unless you're racing to win). It's about putting the miles into the legs without getting sick or injured, TIME ON YOUR FEET is what will ultimately see you to the finish line.

Just my 2c of course! Cheers J.

Great stuff - thanks for the info jimsty!

My first ultra was the JFK 50mi and I was nervous. I had a good base of training but many fears. So I asked a friend to bicycle the last 20 mi on the canal trail. And I asked my wife to bring the kids and cheer me on at every aid station. And I played games w time and distance, just to keep going. For instance, run for 10 mins then walk for 30 seconds. Lunging stretches. Always moving forward. Having as many conversations as possible. Imagining running past the finish line. These techniques helped. Since then I've done several ultras, expedition adventure races, and to this day employ the same tactics. Hope this helps someone...