r/Ultramarathon • u/Acceptable_Tie_6893 • 17h ago

Advice on increasing race distance - 100km to 24hr?

I ran my first two ultras this year - 100km on road and 100km on trail. I'm thinking now of upping the ante and trying a 24hr track race next March.

I'm terrible on trails, but relatively good on flat terrain and roads (low 2:40s for the marathon, and ~8:30 for the road 100km in v warm conditions). If I do commit, I'd like to aim for a competitive result over 200km - potentially in the 240km range.

My question is whether it's sensible to try and jump from a competitive 100km to a competitive 24hr, or whether it'd be better to step up over a year or two through 12hr and 100M events first?

As context I'm 46M (so age-related slowing-down is a factor) and average 130-140km/week in full training.

TIA!

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u/moonshine-runner Sub 24 13h ago

I think a jump from 100km to 200+km is fairly large, but given your speed and training volume, I think you’ll be fine physiologically.

You may have some preparation to do in terms of keeping yourself occupied and motivated for almost three times longer, work on nutrition and hydration, pacing, body signals etc. that all comes from experience, but a looped course is less intimidating since you can address things quicker. If you can pool some advice and mental prep from your coach or peers, it will be a ton easier.

P.S. I’ve done 236km in a 24hr trail race (3700m) with a 1:16 half & 2:48 marathon so I think you’re in a right ballpark. 100km time feels a bit soft for the road but as you say, it was very warm.

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u/EnduroIrl 6h ago

Just do it. You'll learn more from trying than not trying.

Your times aren't far off my own. I did 219km on my first 24hour, FWIW.