Hi All
Sorry for dropping a big question on my first ever post to this thread
I understand this is a bit of a 'how long's a piece of string' question, but I've always had half an eye on doing the Thames Path 100mile Ultra Marathon and just wanted some advice on whether it's realistic to train up for it with no ultra experience within 1yr.

For info about myself, then I'm predominantly a middle distance / ironman triathlete.
I've run 1.24 for a half marathon off the bike in a Half Ironman and would probably run around 3:10 for a stand alone marathon (if I hadn't finished last season and hit the pies, as I have )

I'm 35 years old weighing in at a racing weight of around 74kgs, but currently about 78 and I've had intermittent back problems (although these are probably more from cycling than running), but typically in pretty good shape.

The furthest I've ever run is 33miles in 08 as I just wanted to see how far i could run one Sunday morning, but I gave in as I was training for IMUK that year and didn't want to put too much residual fatigue into my legs.

If it was 50, then I'd be pretty happy i could do it, but 100 is a whole different ball game right ?

So, honestly, is it possible to train up and do without risking the 30hr cut off or do you need a few years of Ultras in you to crunch the distance ???

Also, if it is possible, can you guys and girls recommend me a decent ultra training plan or coach please

Any help would be gratefully received

Cheers

Graeme

Hmm.. Haven't got any experience myself but I'd say try a 50 miler first..

Good luck nonetheless

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La pazienza non è mai troppa

I've got no experience of such a distance Graeme but I think if you need to ask others advice\comments then you already know the answer. It's a massive jump in distance, time on your feet.

You have covered 33 miles in 2008 so your stamina is (was) there. You have 12 months before race day, I personally think it's too close.
Instead I'd spend the next 8 months building endurance and then see how you are doing and if there are any spaces left for 2012. The entry fee is £85! and I see no mentioned of being able to defer to 2013 if you can't run.

I'd say try a 50 miler first too.

I'm far less experienced, and I've only just completed my first half marathon. I don't think I could double that distance to a full within a year, let alone triple it!

Good luck either way though!

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2013 Goals: Complete first tri. Run 750 miles. 50 minute 10k, 2 hour half (tick - 1:57:19).
My Garmin & My Blog

Assuming you are looking at doing it in 2012, I'll say you can easily do it. To be able to get through ironman gigs at the pace you are means you already have great stamina and endurance, so the main thing is just going to be time on your feet, but you have a year to build up, which shouldn't be a huge issue.

I have gone from cripple unable to walk to a half marathon in a year to a full marathon 6 months later. The aim is to get to 62 miles 1 year after the half and then ironman around 6-8 months after that. And this is being someone who didn't run before the accident. Having your fitness background should make it easier.

100 miles in 30 hours is 3.3 miles per hour, or a little over 18 minutes per mile, so I would expect you to be able to take some long walk breaks or even some stop rests and still come inside the 30 hours.

Andy says go for it and do it, but that's how I end up in all sorts of silly situations (such as trying to help pace someone much faster than me for a HM PB...)

Ed_M and Steve are the two members that come to mind first regarding ultras (and the former is, I think, an ironmanner too).

I think you should be able to do it no problem as long as you put the miles in. Slightly different event but I only started race walking in Feb 1961 (from scratch) and completed Leicester to Skegness 100 miles race in 21 hours in Jul 1962 - (Longest training session was setting off after tea one Saturday night and walking through the night until Sunday morning just to experience what it was like going through the hours of darkness)

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"If you want to be a runner, run a 100 metres: if you want to experience another life, run a marathon"
Emil Zatopek

personally i think you will have no problem if you concentrate solely for this event.
you already done an ironman (8h+) ,u only need to double the time and do it only with running,easy to say,hard to do....

Plus there is the walking aspect your not going to run a 100 miles solid so you can mix in as much or little walking as you see fit.
Which will also help get the length of the training runs up too. As said above it's just about getting time on your feet.
Lots info here if you haven't seen it all ready
http://www.ultramarathonrunning.com/training/index.html

I have yet to run one by the way

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Completed
10K LLANELLI WATERSIDE Time: 00:54:47 Distance: 6.25 mi
Cardiff Half Marathon 2:07:33
50 Mile Breacon To Cardiff Ultra Time 11.32
To do

Hi Graeme,

I would say it's possible too - especially if you have the determination and desire to achieve it.

In 2006, I sat and watched the London Marathon, and then decided I would run the London Marathon in 2007. Previously I had never ran before, and did not do anything sporty at all - although I was a fit and healthy 31yr old. My family all thought it was a bit of a joke, especially when I came back from my first few runs (3 miles) absolutely zonked and out of breath !

I proved everyone wrong, and with just one training run a week, sometimes 2 - I completed my first marathon in 2007 after a years training (4hrs 19mins). I then went on to do the same in 2007, and finished in 4hrs 23 seconds (annoying I know !).

Now, here I am again, doing it one more time for 2012 - after too many years off. I will do it again, and this time I will break the 4hrs !!

You can do anything if you put your mind to it . I did !

Good Luck,

David