I ran the Zion Ultra 100k last year in just over 20 hours and am slated to run the Black Canyon Ultra next week which has a 20-hour cutoff. Anyone run both and have opinions on which race is harder or how they compare. Thanks in advance.

Hi all!

I have an Apple Watch currently that is no longer supported by Apple. While it works fine for now, I’ve begun the research to purchase a Garmin in the next few months. Boy am I overwhelmed.

I would love to hear some feedback from other runners and what they recommend. I’m willing to spend a bit of money IF I “need” extra features or would find them beneficial.

In addition to running, I do weightlifting, yoga, and hiking.

In all of my digging, I have found the forerunner or the fenix series would be best for me. Currently I have 2 road marathons on the books for this year and am looking at putting a couple trail half’s in there. With that being said, next year I want to take on the ultra distance and more trail races.

I want to purchase a watch with that in mind and intend to use it until the thing dies or is no longer supported to the point I’m losing features. Does anyone have any insight onto what model would be better and why? Can you help me break down what is worth it? At this point I’m leaning towards the forerunner 965, but am not opposed to an older model (955) of that or an older model (7) of the fenix. I just want to understand benefits/drawbacks of one over the other.

TIA!

TLDR: I’m looking to purchase a new watch with the intent of ultra racing next year, road racing this year, and wearing it until it doesn’t work any more. Is the fenix or the forerunner line better suited for me and why?

I just signed up for my first trail marathon - 10 weeks from race day. I've been running about once a week (~5 or so miles) through the winter and going to the gym a few days, but nothing super consistent. I've done some longer runs in the past but also have a stress fracture in my first metatarsal that seems to be recurring occasionally over the years.

Idk if I am making the right choice! Does this seem dumb? Can I reasonably expect to be trained and ready to race? Its a trail race with a10 hour cutoff and I know the terrain pretty well. I feel fairly confident but also I'm kind of in uncharted territory. My goal would simply be to finish, probably in about 6 hours but i'm not trying to push myself and get injured.

any tips or advice for me?

I’ve done various ultras in the UK the latest couple being 200 miles with around 30k feet of elevation, on the usual UK muddy, cold and miserable (but beautiful) terrain. I want to do an ultra in America, similar distance, similar elevation on mountain trails, preferably a loop. Anyone got any suggestions, I know researching runs is half the enjoyment but it’s a different country so I’d welcome any input. I’ve looked at the big ones but they seem to be lottery entry due to popularity.

Hello friends. Looking for yalls’ acclaimed and reliable ways of dealing with and prepping for the dreaded nether-chafe. Running a 50 mile race in July and I have absolutely no idea how it won’t eventually start rubbing like sandpaper down there after x amount of miles. Is it best to trim it down? Shave? Wax? Tape? BodyGlide / Nutbutter? +where exactly and how much/often to apply? I’ve only experienced it during the few 20ish+ mile days I’ve done (even in my best underwear) so I want to hear some more experienced runners’ thoughts on what works best and put it into practice!

I’m running my first 100K ultramarathon in six months and want to refine my training plan and nutrition strategy. I’m 5’5”, and my longest ultramarathon so far was 70K. I’ve reached my best shape, going from 82 kg to 65 kg. How should I structure my training to build endurance while avoiding injury? What nutrition strategies should I follow for both daily fueling and race-day performance? How can I optimize my recovery to sustain high mileage?

Why consistent higher mileage can be a big boost for race time finishes, strength and speed (but also why it's not)! I did this Training Talk on Youtube: https://youtu.be/MKWiUZ6lRYo?si=rWYnMrXBnb53_niB

Best, Coach Sage

Hey guys, I’ve had this pain in ankle (circled spot on pic. for around 2 years now. It comes and goes. But Is generally worse after long periods walking. Running it seems to warm up and pain goes away. But afterwards gets super stiff. I do some ankle mobility and band work before each run which helps a bit. Any suggestions?

Hi everyone,

I recently got the WAA Ultra Backpack 20L, and while it fits well, I'm having some trouble with the hydration system. It seems like I'm putting more energy into sucking water through the straw than I'm losing while running. And yes, I know you're supposed to bite the straw.

Additionally, I've noticed that the bottles sit quite loosely in the designated pockets.

Has anyone else experienced these issues? Am I doing something wrong? How did you solve it?

Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone —- I’m targeting a 60K event in Arizona (April) where course runs between elevation 5,000 - 6,900 ft.

I’m looking for advice/opinion on length or duration of weekend long run(s) for the weekends 3, 4, 5 weeks out from race day.

Also as an added bonus, I live essentially near sea level. Any recommendations on being prepared for the elevation of the event. I’ve been spending certain training runs getting near 3K of vertical ascent/descent but am limited to approx 2.5K in max elevation in my area. Thank you

Has anybody run this race or the course? I’m doing it in April and am just wondering what it’s like. I’ve found some pictures online, but can’t find anything very specific.

Hello everyone!

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I can't find a straight answer anywhere. I am training for a 107k run, my plan currently contains 5 days of running at the beginning and 6 days later, with 2 long runs which make up 30-35% and 20-25% of the weekly volume respectively. I am wondering if this is the right approach, or would a single long run of like 45% be better? And more specifically - does anyone know what difference does it make, apart from a single run increasing the risk of injury? My goal is to finish not finish fast if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance!

I qualified this year for the CCC race with my 5 stones so I’m very happy. I would like to ask if anyone here who have already done any of the UTMB Mont-Blanc races have suggestions for places to stay near the race start or anything that you would consider useful or that would’ve like to know before. I’m watching the race map and apparently the race starts at Courmayeur, but there’s 3 cities nearby. Also not sure if it’s convenient to book through UTMB partner companies. Does UTMB offer transportation to the race start on the day of the event? Thank you very much for your help

Looking into this race because I’ll be in the area, but wondering if anyone could help me estimate a rough finishing time for it? I know this is CRAZY steep. I’ve looked at finishing times for last year. First place was under 16 hours. It’s 20k vert (ft)

I’ve done 2 100’s which I expect were easier/equivalent depending on how you look at it. Old Dominion 100, 14k vert, 80 miles of road, easier for sure. Midstate massive, about 80 miles of trail, 14k vert, possibly similar effort, this took me 26 hours. But I did go into this extremely sleep deprived, my wife had our first child 2 months prior. I think I could have been sub 24 on this race if not.

I’m wondering what kind of duration I myself can expect this to take. I am flying out Saturday from Barcelona, so I feel like it’s not doable.

First, I’m hoping someone can clear up start time due to translation issues? It says “departure 23:00” but then “time of the first: 1:30 pm”. So that changes a lot, what time does this start??

Wondering if I can expect to finish this in maybe 28 hours or less. That seems like it should be more than doable with my experience, but I’ve never done anything nearly as steep as this. If I was under 28 hours and it started at 1:30 pm I think I could easily be in Barcelona by Saturday morning.

But, that’s a lot of ifs, and I’m not sure id want to risk it. Just wondering people’s thoughts, and how I can maybe better estimate a finish time for this

Hi! I'll be running the Badwater Cape Fear 51 mile race in a few weeks. I'm curious if anyone has run it or has any tips for it. Specifically, I'm having a hard time figuring out what type of shoes to wear since it's partly paved and the sand is supposed to be pretty compact; I plan on taking multiple pairs in drop bags, but would appreciate any suggestions or advice! Thanks in advance!

Has anyone bought one of these or tried them out?

I like the idea of being able to have your running pack on underneath like the Salomon bonatti. And thought the chest openings so you can get to your flask was a pretty cool idea. With 20k water and "best breathability" it could be a pretty solid option. So just wanted to check and see if anyone has had any experience with the brand or with the jacket?

https://kinetikadrenalink.com/products/roc-h-ruz-jacket-waterproff-gelanots%C2%AE-men?variant=47628100010318&currency=EUR&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google%20FR&utm_content=ROC%E2%80%99H%20RUZ%20JACKET%20%20WATERPROOF%20%2020K%20schmerber%20Gelanots%C2%AE%20MEN&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0BMABhZGlkAAAGE_5j6EMBpoYlY-YEP6mkg8tjnRAxDjGKomNy7XP1_Hlnm4k0_ZS-HXeqOr3lv3WVaQ_aem_XtLnJULPTW4eVHBUCSNrAA&campaign_id=6682938405867&ad_id=6682938407067

I just learned that there is a 50m ultra in Lofoten (Northern Norway) on May 31, and I feel quite excited about running it. I just don’t know if I am underestimating what it takes to train properly in order to both run it and actually enjoy it.

For context, I run every day (and have been for 1.5 years), netting 40-50 miles per week (60-80km). I have a few Marathons under my belt, and completed my first 50k last summer (55km with 2k vert / 6500ft) in the white mountains in 7.5 hours. I spend a LOT of time in the gym, so I think my core strength is okay.

Main issues as I see it: I have only ~4 months to train, I live in Copenhagen (absolutely flat), and I work long hours at my job.

Is it stupid for me to try this? Or is is possible with the right training? If so, what are the most essential building blocks?

Hi everyone, I have a question about shoes - I’ve been struggling with calluses for a while (on the outer part of my big toe, and I have a mild bunion). Recently, I’ve started wondering if it could also be an issue of… too much cushioning?

I did my first ultra (100 km) 2.5 years ago, and although the course was fairly flat, it was a tough experience… my feet were wrecked. After that, I switched to shoes with a lot of cushioning (e.g., Trabuco Max 2, Topo Ultraventure, Altra Olympus).

Lately, I’ve been running more in shoes with less cushioning (like the Topo MTN Racer), and I’ve noticed that I feel… better in them? On long runs of 25-30 km or even up to 50 km, my legs don’t feel as tired, and my feet are holding up fine. After reading Fixing Your Feet, I know there are no absolutes in this, so I wanted to ask you, have you ever experienced that shoes with a lot of cushioning caused more issues over time?

I definitely have significant overpronation, and these "pillowy" shoes, soft and squishy, don’t seem to help. So maybe it’s time to switch to something firmer? I’m also factoring in socks (so far, toe socks like Injinji have been the best for me).

Anybody have more information on this dream come true?

Altra is releasing a version of the Lone Peak 9 with a Vibram outsole, known as the Lone Peak 9+.

Hey all -

New-ish long distance runner. I will be running a 50k and a 50 miler this year. I am currently playing with my nutrition on long runs (currently 10+ miles). Looking for some nutrition advice for bigger guys like me to see where they are falling for carbs/cals/sodium per hour. I know everyone is different, and I will continue to test everything, but seeing what others are doing.

I'm 6'-0" 205#s 11-12% bodyfat, 41 years old. I live in Colorado, train at no less than 6,000' and my ultras will be even higher. 50k has 3,600' elevation gain and the 50 miler will have 7,500' elevation gain. I expect them to both be hot, and exposed (big sweat loss). Thanks!

I’m moving from roads to trails this year and mostly have used Skratch and Maurten for race fueling. Have heard a lot about Naak for ultras

I’ve run some trails and know about real food vs gels vs liquid carb debates. More looking for brand tips and preferences for the portion of nutrition that is sport gel/liquid specific. I’ll mix in real food too… thx

I'm 178 cm and my usual weight is somewhere between 12 and 12.5 stone (around 170 lbs), even though my weekly mileage is currently only at about 30 miles I am struggling to keep weight on, I've already dropped below 12 stone and I have no idea how much weight I'll lose as my mileage increases. I am trying to eat as much as possible but feel like I'll be sick if I eat any more. The same thing happens to me every year.

Hello! I am trying to plan next year and pick my BHAG (big hairy audacious goal) and want to do my first 50 miler (did a 50k prior to getting pregnant and giving birth on Christmas so I am a little rusty!).

I want to do arches ultra (January 2026) or dead horse (November 2025). Any intel? Given that I am rebuilding the extra 2 months for arches is appealing but I love what I’m reading about dead horse (and I’m impatient).

Also love any tips about returning to running after a baby! This is my second go around but don’t worry - I made every mistake in the books after having my first :)

I weren't running a race but I was planning for a while to run my first 50 miler in a couple of weeks but after a long run a few weeks back I got an it band injury. Since I have been doing the suggested rehab of foam rolling strength training, I also reduced my mileage but it doesn't seem to get any better unless a take enough time off for it to completely die down. From my experience with this before I found that it only went away after two weeks of complete rest. This is pretty annoying as I was excited to finally be able to do something like this but I was wondering if anyone has any idea of what the fitness loss looks like after taking this amount of time off running as i'm not really sure because i've never ran to the standard that I do now so I have no rough reference. Thanks

Can I fix my patellar tendinitis pain here or do I have to go to physio (no benefits/coverage)? I saw a knee sports specialist months ago and I was diagnosed with arthritis in my knee due to an old ACL/MCL/maniscus tear and reconstructive surgery 17 years ago. He gave me a few exercises that reflected the Muscular Endurance program by uphill athlete and I healed my past knee pain and injury but recently I added too much too quickly in my training load and am now trying to recover asap. Any recommendations and advice welcome.

I live on a dead end road but outside dogs are at almost half the houses.

I have been running a nearby trail run for several years at the half marathon distance. They also have a full marathon, and a 50 and 100 mile option. I’ve been tempted to try the 50 mile one for awhile. I turned 40 and think that might be a good way to celebrate the new decade this year.

I have run full marathons before, but it’s been awhile. I was training for one about 18 months ago following two half’s in the 6 months prior, but after two bad long runs and the forecast calling for heavy smoke conditions from nearby wildfires, dropped to the half about a week ahead of the race.

I took some time off from distance running last year, but did a lot of hiking, including a 3-day rim-to-rim-to-rim at the Grand Canyon (hiked just over 50 miles hiking total, with lots of elevation). I still ran 2-3 miles on occasion but nothing longer and no set purpose or frequency, plus doing other cardio and occasional strength training.

Based on my current condition I think I could get back into shape for a half within about 6 weeks. Is it feasible to think that I could then build up to a 50 mile run by the end of July?