Advice on 100M training

[u/Mexican-Hacker]

Looking for advice on 100M training, I just got my ass handed back to me by a mountain 100M race this weekend.

I can run a 3:08 road marathon and a 50M race with up to 15,000 feet with ease but the 100M becomes a death march and I don’t enjoy it.

My weaknesses:

1. Downhill is painful, have a hard time stoping and running
2. After 6,000 feet downhill my abs feel tired/sort
3. I have some gut problems after 16 hours during races.

I live in a flat area so I don’t do strength usually but only some mountain workouts and races.

Is it just a matter of incorporating more specific training or is there another secret I need to uncover?

On the bright side, no blisters after this race so we have that covered!

[u/coexistbumpersticker]

Strength training core, glutes, and quads will help on the downhills (among many other things). Maybe not an exact 1:1 to actual eccentric training on downhills, but it will help a ton.

Unless you’re a top-dog or super experienced, there’s gonna be some “sad walkin” at some point on a 100. But, again, doing strength will make a big difference in how you’re moving near the end.

Gut issues at 16 hours is pretty normal, but is it GI stuff? Can’t keep food down? Appetite nonexistent? It’s trial and error, but find out what you can get down and keep down to get you through the finicky parts. Cold-pressed juices and smoothies help me a lot when the thought of eating repulses me. They pack a decent amount of calories to get me through until I can eat again.

[u/Mexican-Hacker → u/coexistbumpersticker]

Yeah, I just didn’t want to walk from mile 45, it would have been a lot of walking 😂

I usually can’t eat and puke after some time, then I feel better and then I eat but never been in races more than 22 hours so not sure what would happen in a 30-35 hour shuffle.

[u/coexistbumpersticker → u/Mexican-Hacker]

Only one way to find out! I think you’ll be surprised at what your body will give you in uncharted territory. Especially if you nailed the training.

[u/hokie56fan]

Is it just a matter of incorporating more specific training 

Yes, you should always be training for the specifics of the race.

[u/SomethingAboutNow]

Go lift in the gym, and in races aim to keep your heart rate below 140 the majority of the time. Other than that, hammer until you hit the nail in the head.

[u/Mexican-Hacker → u/SomethingAboutNow]

My heart rate barely went over 120 during the race but just didn’t have mountain legs I guess.

[u/iamblindfornow]

Follow a basic app core workout program daily for 2 months and you’re (phone just changed to the wrong your, I’m keeping it, fucking idiotic phone) core will look and feel like a “Washboard.”

[u/Mexican-Hacker → u/iamblindfornow]

Yes! This is long overdue and “easy enough” to follow

[u/redwoodforest15]

I’ve noticed my abs cramping on downhills after a while as well, which is really disheartening since I love downhills and that’s where I make up time (I’m slow on uphills), and I need to engage my abs for balance. I don’t know if you’re also facing cramps or just tiredness, but I’m going to try to work on my abs more (which I generally avoid). Reformer Pilates is really, really excellent for this.

No advice on the other points!

[u/Agreeable-Mixture947]

I might be old fashioned but I've always learned that specific training is better than non-specific. So if you want to be better at running downhill... Run more downhill 😁

Imo strength training has its place but as an addition to specific training.

[u/Mexican-Hacker → u/Agreeable-Mixture947]

Agreed but live in a flat city and want to enjoy the sport without having to drive 3 hours back and forth every weekend. I wish I lived closer to mountains tho

[u/Cultural-Taro2449 → u/Mexican-Hacker]

Quit your job and move to Colorado 😎

[u/Mexican-Hacker → u/Cultural-Taro2449]

Super tempting

[u/Legal-Reserve-2317]

I don’t think living in the flats is a good excuse not to train strength..