How many miles can you run in 6 hours? Well, I’m about to find out on Saturday.
This weekend, I had 34 miles on the schedule as part of my training plan for the 52.4 SF Marathon “Worth The Hurt Challenge.” I’ve been training with my friend Chris who has run the last two 50-mile races with me and asked him if he wanted to do it as part of a race. There is a 6-hour race happening close by on Saturday and the format is simple: run a 3-mile loop on trails as many times as you can in a 6-hour time frame.
Sure it’s the same 3.4-mile loop over and over, but the benefit is that it’s a supported course on trails and we don’t have to think about the map. San Francisco is a small city, so figuring out a 34-mile route with stop lights, bathroom breaks and places to re-fuel can be cumbersome. This way we can just show up, run, and run, then run some more and get a medal and hoodie and enjoy a BBQ afterwards. Sounds good, right?
It’s called Dirty Dozen & Half Dozen (5k, 10k, 6-hr, 12-hr options) and put on by Brazen. As a Bay Area runner, I’m embarrassed to say that this is my FIRST Brazen race, but am excited that it is my FIRST 6-hour race. The timed races have always interested me. I want to do a 12-hour race someday, but this will be my first test.
Confidence
As I wrote earlier, I’m still battling some self-confidence issues. I had been going for speed earlier in the year and I took a hit to my self-confidence by missing my goal several times. I’ve been putting in some high milage the past few weeks and am feeling stronger. I’ve been building my confidence back up over the last six weeks and this will be a great way to check-in with my progress.
The good thing about doing longer distances is that you can slow down a little bit and focus on staying at a consistent and comfortable pace, all things considered. If I keep a 10-minute pace over the 6-hours, it would put me at 36 miles. That would be amazing. But that would also be non-stop running and my goal is 30-34 miles. To me, that would be a win and if I can come out of it feeling strong, then it would be a great confidence-builder for my 52.4 race at the end of the month.
I’m just over 90% to my fundraising goal for the race.
The BIG FINALE is FRIDAY.
RnR Chicago
I have one more race before the 52.4 Challenge, it’s the Rock n Roll Chicago weekend (5K Sat., and Half Sun.) I’ll be doing something “special” that weekend for a friend and will blog about it next week, but if you want to join me and all the runners, here is a coupon code:
CHICAGO – $10 off code: HITTHEPAVEMENT
Register here.
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Have you ever done a timed race?
How many miles do you think I’ll run?
Did a 10 hr. In June. Used 15 mm to estimate that i could finish 40 mi. I just barely finished 30 and the course was a flat loop. Looking back, one big problem was monotony. The other was needing to break for body functions that would not normally interfere – change clothes, eat real food, function on a race brain. Prolly will do better next time.
34 mi in 6 hr is a lot. Good luck!!
Well I just hope to cover 26.2 in 6 hours come 7/27!!!! Having tendonitis required me to only start training two weeks ago. I’ll get my longest long run to 13 miles. Not exactly a full marathon training cycle. My goal is to slow it down and walk as much as I need. Just want to start and finish healthy and make it before the cutoff.
Loop courses are actually fun because you get to see the same faces and access support frequently. I did 5 half marathons in 5 days in 5 states and each course was a couple miles out and back or loop. It was like a party. :) take it slow and cover the distance. Great idea to take the planning out of the equation. Just run!!
I have never done a timed race but I think you’ll definitely hit your goal! I’m going to say you do 33 miles. Best of luck!
Good luck with your run. I’ve never done a timed race, and the idea of running a short loop for six hours is, well, dizzying. Hopefully you’ll have some great company to keep it interesting. Since you’re on trails, I guess that you’ll run 33 miles.
Good luck!!!! I would drop dead! ;)
Is this Chris M.? Hope you kill the 6 hour run! You Ultra runners are nuts, but an inspiring nuts :) Good luck and have fun!
You rock so hard B! Best of luck and I know you’ll do great! Hope you can have some fun while running for all.that.time!
I’ve never done a for time race. I think the hardest part would be pacing yourself at first since the loop is only 3 miles. But maybe that will be a good think in getting more miles in…it’s ONLY 3 miles. Haha..as you tell yourself that 6 hours later. Good luck! I’m guessing you get 34.
You are a rock star.
Good luck!!! I am continually inspired by you and as as soon as my body cooperates I have plans for an ultra. I think a loop course would be mentally tough for me, but I absolutely see the benefits from the support stand point.
I hope this weekend goes great and lights a little flame of confidence
Awesome goal! I’ve never done a timed race either but like the idea of it for a different kind of challenge. The 3 mile loop would get old but it makes sense logistically. Best of luck!!
i feel like i would like a timed race bc then at least i know i have a stopping point. Kinda like our AMRAPS in crossfit. We have a set time of x minutes to do as many rounds as possible. No matter how much it sucks, you know it’ll be over in x minutes!
Oh wow that is a huge challenge! You are going to rock it though. Regardless of how many miles you run you should be proud for running that long! That’s a huge accomplishment!
I’ve done a 6 hour trail race with about 28 miles on a snow covered trail.
I think you’ll be able to do at least a 50K!
Good luck on your races. Stay awesome!
That 6 hour race looks really neat – I love that idea of a challenge!
Cant wait to see you dude! You, by the way, are an amazing athlete and will do anything you put your mind to. End of story!
Well, we know this course well, having done the 12 hour both last year, and this year. My daughters, ages 12 and 10 did the 6 hour yesterday, hubby and I did a 2 person team for the 12 hour. We saw you before the start in the “camp” area, but only because someone yelled out “Pavement Runner!” Whatever mileage you ended up with, hope you had a great day, and a good time at your first Brazen race! We love Brazen, they put on excellent events, and nobody makes bigger medals!