tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829146583696463704.post3161572951865748513..comments2023-10-25T00:53:08.255-07:00Comments on Hurry Slowly . . . but Hurry!: Ultrarunner / UltrarunningFrank Lilleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17973044642640967617noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829146583696463704.post-49564874777008122092012-09-03T13:36:12.248-07:002012-09-03T13:36:12.248-07:00Guess you answered this one today Frank. You, my ...Guess you answered this one today Frank. You, my friend, are an untra runner. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829146583696463704.post-18740502543353480242012-08-27T09:05:11.032-07:002012-08-27T09:05:11.032-07:00I almost completely agree....up to the marathon di...I almost completely agree....up to the marathon distance. I'm firmly in the camp of not saying that you "ran" a marathon unless you actually RAN the marathon. Nearly anyone (I don't believe that ANYONE can even complete a marathon inside common cutoff times, but a large percentage of people probably can) can complete one, but running is different. <br /><br />Once you cross over into the ultra distances, several factors take over. For one, much fewer of them are held on pavement..they are often held on significantly more technical terrain, through trails, on mountains, with roots, rocks, and all manner of challenges that road runners simply never face. VERY few of the hills that a road runner will ever face are as steep or long as they are in many ultras. Those factors tend to introduce power-hiking those portions as the only viable options.<br /><br />All that being said, I would personally say that one should (at the very least) run 50% or more of a course in order to say that one RAN an ultra distance. I have yet to do one though, so I'm road-biased. I'm considering my first "ultra" this coming winter, and it will be a road ultra (50K). We'll see if my opinion changes. :-)Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05091364691248272512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829146583696463704.post-41709707748340883632012-08-14T05:38:10.360-07:002012-08-14T05:38:10.360-07:00You must run at least 42% of the distance to get c...You must run at least 42% of the distance to get credit for "running". You must average at least 13 min/mi pace to qualify as a runner. You must run to "win". You must not run for weight loss. You must have proper equipment and clothing. You must...etc...etc.<br /><br />I've heard something like all of that at one time or another. And I think it's all complete crap. But it IS fun to talk about. :-)derscotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16562035275775508430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829146583696463704.post-17213812855568889832012-08-13T12:55:25.065-07:002012-08-13T12:55:25.065-07:00Wow...lots of interesting thoughts to ponder, Fran...Wow...lots of interesting thoughts to ponder, Frank. I have yet another aspect to add to the mix. What about those folks who have amazingly fast walking speeds and can literally walk a specified distance faster than I could ever hope to run it?<br /><br><br />I don't think that there's any one right answer to all these musings. I think much of it depends upon how the participant views themselves.<br /><br>In my mind, if I consider myself a "runner" and enter an event (of whatever length) with the intention of running as much of it as I can, then that makes it a running event. Whether I walk the uphills, use some predefined run:walk ratio or just end up walking some miles during a super long event, I still view it as a "running" event.<br /><br><br />Labels are hard to wrestle with at times and often quite limiting. Just cover the distance (whatever that distance might be) with joy in your heart. The speed or gait you use to get you there is secondary.Rachel D.http://duboisvail.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829146583696463704.post-4164834022281962682012-08-13T12:54:27.445-07:002012-08-13T12:54:27.445-07:00You completed an ultramarathon. You can always jus...You completed an ultramarathon. You can always just define yourself as an "ultramarathoner".Jimbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00518039689275322948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829146583696463704.post-34480161908884122892012-08-13T12:21:55.226-07:002012-08-13T12:21:55.226-07:00I think the statement "anyone can run a marat...I think the statement "anyone can run a marathon" is incorrect. Anyone can complete a marathon, running the whole way is a whole different story. I never ran a 20 minute 5k either (20:20) but a 3:36 marathon ain't too shabby...Ben Dillonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11081013653966053794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829146583696463704.post-43784359325222187822012-08-13T12:20:42.404-07:002012-08-13T12:20:42.404-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Ben Dillonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11081013653966053794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829146583696463704.post-3385678950092189832012-08-13T12:19:50.056-07:002012-08-13T12:19:50.056-07:00I think you have to run some to be considered a &q...I think you have to run some to be considered a "runner". I bet there are many long distance hikers who can hike 50 miles in 24 hours. Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00921924865002345936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829146583696463704.post-73203608094042072102012-08-13T12:16:01.734-07:002012-08-13T12:16:01.734-07:00Heavy stuff Frank! Run on my friend!Heavy stuff Frank! Run on my friend!Tony Mollicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06996365417755325550noreply@blogger.com