When training for an Ultra, running on back-to-back days can be tough and intimidating. I am in no way a pro on how to approach these, but I have some experience and have found what CAN help.
This past weekend was my big build up for my 50 mile training plan. I had a 50k race (31 miles) with Inside Trail Racing on Saturday. Having a race be one of the days, always seems to help me. Either day will work, but I’ve seen day 2 be the preferred day to feed off the race day energy.
Day 1 looked like this:
Chabot Trail Race with Inside Trails: 4,200 ft. elevation gain
I’m going to save the recap for another day, but this was a PR by 90 minutes (unfathomable and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it). If my Garmin didn’t keep the distance, I wouldn’t have believed it.
The approach for day two begins almost immediately. I stretched for awhile post race (more than usual) to keep things loose. Food intake post run was also key. I had chocolate milk and lots of water. Pasta was on the menu for dinner because I didn’t want anything too heavy. I made sure to hit the foam roller before an early bed time and slept in compression socks and thigh sleeves.
If I didn’t get up early for my second run, it wasn’t gonna happen. I wanted to be out of the door by 5 a.m., but settled for 6.
Day two looked like this:
Neighborhood run with significantly less elevation gain/loss.
It involved very little elevation and was more about getting the distance and powering through tired and fatigued legs. I walked when needed, but ran for long segments when I could. I wanted to stop and considered it more than I would like to admit. I was tired and wasn’t feeling it.
Having such a strong run on day one kept me going. A 31-mile run is not something that happens all the time, so I NEEDED to take advantage of it. I sure as heck, was not going to try it again the following weekend. I just kept moving forward focussed on how I would feel AFTER the run. Remembering that this was going to be my highest back-to-back miles kept me on track and I just committed to getting in the distance, regardless of how tired I felt. I also was not feeling any pains that would make me concerned about injury. This is also key. I HAD to take advantage of the circumstances.
The second day is all about mental strength. Being able to move your legs when they are tired and finding ways to battle physical and mental fatigue. There is some truth behind the “pain is temporary” saying. I’m glad the miles are done and know that the strength built this past weekend will pay off down the road… literally.
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Have you ever run back-to-back days?
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I do not run a significant amount like your awesome self does, but I do make sure to run every day! You’re an inspiration! :)
Amazing job!! I did a marathon on Sunday and I could barely move right now, let alone run another 20 miler!! Awesome blossom!
I usually run 10 miles the day after a marathon. I have been considering doing an ultra so your advice is really helpful.
Holy moly! You run more in two days than I do in a month!! (I’m envious) How on earth do you find the time? Great job!
You are a beast! Congrats on that HUGE PR! Amazing. And then following it up with the 20 is super human. You are going to destroy this 50!
you amazing me every single day. seriously. congratulations!!
CONGRATS on an amazing PR! I’ve done back-to-backs but never at that level of distance and they NEVER included a crazy, hilly trail race- very inspiring!!!
WOOOOAAAH!!! PR!!!!! That is so amazing. And Holy training batman! You are killing it!
Congrats on an amazing race and PR!! Seriously awesome! And then for knocking out 20 miles the next day =)
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!
all I have to say is that’s freaking amazing. congrats on your HUGE PR!! It was the Blue Bottle Coffee and yoga on Wednesday, wasn’t it? haha
Congrats on some serious mileage and a monster PR! I rarely run back to back days–except in relay situations, then I welcome it. :)
I wonder if I’ll ever be able to say “When I was training for an ultra…” ;)
Congrats by the way!!
“Oh yeah, and I just got a 90 minute PR.” Once again, you’re a maniac.
i just need 1/10th of your endurance and mental strength and i’ll be happy, k?
yeah i’ve run back to back days… a mile one day… maybe two the next day! haha you’re craaaaaazy!!!!! and i mean that in the most loving way possible! :) :)
Holy FUreakin’ guacamole! You’re a MACHINNNNNNE!!!! Wowza!
Uhhhh, I had to look at your photo a few times to make sure it really said you ran for 5 hours and 50 minutes!! Holy moly that’s impressive! And then, you ran again the next day! You are going to kill your ultra. And congrats on that massive PR!
p.s. Hope you’re able to walk this week :D
uhmmm wowsers. Hard for me to say yes, because my mileage on back to back runs PALES and doesn’t even add up to ONE of your runs! You are such a rockstar! One day…. :)
Holy shnikes. That’s pretty amazing. Way to kick some butt and not pass out.
I really don’t have much to see except you are a total bad ass.
Nice job! I did a 50k this weekend too and can’t imagine having run on Sunday… Impressive!
Super inspiring…I’m loving following along your journey on these long distances! First off, GREAT work again on that 50k – CRAZY! Secondly, way to push through tired legs a second day and take advantage of the run the day before like that. I’ve surely run back-to-back days but nothing compared to those distances – not quite the same. :) You’re on your way to #runthisyear that’s for sure!
You are a rockstar!