r/Ultramarathon • u/nbm1234 • 1d ago
BYU specific training: what do y'all do for this format?
2
u/MrTambourineSi 1d ago
I've done a couple of BYUs but I didn't achieve anything magical, 16 laps was my best although I purposely stopped at that for a couple of reasons but I think I probably had it in me for 20-24. I'll give you a few insights but you might prefer to hear from someone who's gone further.
In terms of physical training, it's much like any other ultra although generally has relatively low elevation so I think your main focus needs to be distance. Actually met San Harvey recently and he says you should look to be hitting around 160km a week running before you start seeing diminished returns. Strength training is also really important, hitting your weakest areas particularly but a good core and legs 1-2 times a week will help.
Mentally preparing for the race. It's long, it's repetitive, so try and practice that, get in the mood. Depending what you want don't limit yourself, some people say I want to hit 12 loops and when they do they'll drop out but if what you want is to hit your maximum keep thinking that you'll do the next one. Always line up for the race and start the next loop.
Maintenance is key. The better you eat, rest and stay fresh the longer you'll go. The best food is the food you can keep eating and enjoying, I take meal replacement drinks to cover all nutrients and then a wide range of food, sweet, savoury etc. you can consume while out on a loop as well. If you can lay down for 5 minutes after each loop you'll feel better.
These are some basics, feel free to ask more if I can be of help
1
u/05778 1d ago
You need to focus more on logistics I think. The run training is the same for any other distance you are trying to achieve.
For example, are you going to have a crew that will replenish your nutrition or are you doing everything on your own? If you’re doing 54 minute laps there isn’t much time to rest, eat and refill water bottles. No matter what you still need to be in the corral and start the next lap in time.
7
u/The__Malteser 1d ago
I have a 48 yard PB at Big's, and it was my last out of 5 BYU events.
In reality, the same exact principles you would apply to any ultra apply to BYUs. This means that you need to focus on specificity, progressive overload, holistic training (not just physical, but also mental, nutrition and gear) etc.
The big difference is that this race repeats every hour and you have no finish line. Those are the "only" two differences. This means that in my experience, the number 1 thing that you need to train is you mind. You need to find the mental strength to go out again and again and again and again and again and again irrelevant if it is hot, cold, rainy or foggy, and irrelevant if you feel strong or weak. Just like with traditional ultras, you will have times where you feel strong and other times where you feel weak. Typically, when you feel week, you do some math in your mind and say "only X kms/miles/hours until I finish". This is the big difference between traditional ultras and BYUs. The rest of the concepts are the same.
I wrote a lot about this topic which you are free to read.
https://bornonthetrail.substack.com/p/how-to-train-for-a-backyard-ultra?r=39kjk2
https://bornonthetrail.substack.com/p/backyard-bliss?r=39kjk2