Going Long - Marathons & Ultramarathons
Hello there, hope you had a good week. I’m back with another edition of the Running Nomad’s newsletter here to help you better understand the world of running and travelling.
Today’s newsletter we’ll cover:
Marathons and Ultramarathons
How to train for either one
Why I think you should try them out
Recommendations
Running is often thought of as a simple sport. Shoes on and out the door, start hitting the pavement, and keep moving. But when it comes to marathons and ultramarathons, running starts to becomes a test of endurance, patience and your mental toughness.
Whether you're gearing up for your first marathon or considering taking on an ultramarathon, it’s a journey of discipline, dedication, and transformation. Here’s a breakdown of what these events involve and what you can expect from each.
What is a Marathon?
A marathon is a race that spans 26.2 miles (42.195 km). It’s a run that requires months of training and preparation. For most people, completing a marathon is a significant achievement. Training typically involves building up mileage gradually, focusing on endurance and injury prevention. While marathons can vary in difficulty depending on the terrain, they are usually run on roads or relatively flat courses. For the average runner, a marathon can take anywhere between 3 to 6 hours to finish, depending on experience and fitness levels. Pacing yourself is pretty crucial in a race like this, and most runners will aim to maintain a steady pace throughout the race while saving some energy for the final push. Fuelling is important as well as if not prepared properly, runners end up hitting what is referred to ‘the wall’. It’s hard to explain what exactly it is but in layman terms it means your body has just run out of energy and you completely bonk i.e. your legs feel like they've turned to jelly. I know because it’s happened to me twice! Lessons where learned.
What is a Ultramarathon then?
So, you’ve completed a marathon but you’re looking at the next endurance challenge? Many runners set their sights on ultramarathons—races longer than the standard marathon distance, most common being 50 km (about 31 miles), though they can go as far as 100 miles or more. Ultramarathons can be held on roads or trails, and they vary widely in terms of terrain and conditions. From the dry deserts of the Marathon de Sables Ultramarathon, the breath taking mountainous range of the infamous UTMB race, to the muddy, rugged paths of the Western States 100, ultramarathons offer a completely different experience than marathons. Ultramarathons are designed for those who want to push their limits further. They require a combination of physical endurance, mental resilience, and strategic planning to manage the extended time and energy required to finish. It’s not just about running; it's about dealing with exhaustion, discomfort, and sometimes even sleep deprivation over a long period. A true test to any endurance runner fanatic.
The Key Differences
Distance and Duration: The most obvious difference is the distance. Marathons are typically completed in 3-6 hours and for experienced runners with ambitious goals they will attempt going sub-3 hours or faster. Ultramarathons can take anywhere from 5 to 30 hours or more, depending on the course, terrain and weather conditions.
Pacing and Strategy: In a marathon, you try to aim for consistent pacing as best you can. Running at a comfortable pace, or even your goal pace for most of the race with a push toward the finish. In an ultramarathon, pacing is crucial, but the main strategy is all about conserving energy. Patience. The emphasis is on endurance, with more frequent breaks, refuelling, and sometimes even walking during sections of the race.
Terrain and Elevation: While most marathons are run on roads or flat surfaces, ultramarathons often take runners through varied and challenging terrain, from mountainous trails to deserts, forests, or even snowfields. Elevation gain is often a significant factor in ultramarathons, and the changing conditions can make these races more mentally and physically demanding.
The Mental battle: Both marathons and ultramarathons are mentally challenging, but ultramarathons take your mental toughness to another level. Runners will often face extreme fatigue, hallucinations, and a constant battle to keep moving forward, especially during the later stages of a race. With ultramarathoners it feels the race is more about conquering your mind than your body. Saying that, with a marathon you are considered to be running non-stop so it can take a bigger toll on the body as your are constantly pounding the road which takes toll on the body. Whereas an ultramarathon where you can stop frequently for snacks and fluids. That being said, there’s no reason or shame in stopping in a Marathon.
So why I think you should run a Marathon and an Ultramarathon
You might wonder why anyone would anyone willingly run for hours on end, sometimes in the harshest of conditions. Who hurt them? Are they ok? The reasons for participating in these races are as varied as the runners themselves.
Personal Challenge: Many people take on a marathon or ultramarathon as a personal challenge. They want to prove to themselves that they can push their limits and achieve something extraordinary. It’s opportunity to see what happens when you dedicate and discipline yourself to see what you thought was possible.
Sense of Accomplishment: Completing a marathon or ultramarathon gives a deep sense of achievement. Crossing the finish line is often described as a transformative experience, with runners feeling a mixture of relief, pride, and elation. But remember, the destination isn’t the goal, it’s the journey on who you become.
Community: While running might be seen as a solitary activity, marathons and ultramarathons are often about community. The support of fellow runners, aid stations, and race volunteers creates this incredible camaraderie that makes these events more than just races. They’re shared experiences. If you’ve ever wondered what the human spirit is, go and watch a marathon.
Exploration and Adventure: Ultramarathons in particular often take runners through some of the most stunning landscapes on earth. For many, the thrill of adventure and exploring new terrain is one of the main reasons to take on these challenges.
Mental Clarity: Running long distances can be incredibly meditative. For many runners, it’s an opportunity to clear their minds, process emotions, or simply disconnect from the everyday chaos.
Training for Marathons and Ultramarathons
Training for a marathon or ultramarathon requires a mix of endurance building, injury prevention, and careful planning. I will touch more on this in another post though.
Marathon Training:
A typical marathon training plan lasts 12-20 weeks. It includes weekly long runs, gradual mileage build up, and cross-training (cycling, swimming, strength training). It’s important to have a balance between increasing your mileage and allowing time for recovery to prevent injuries.Ultramarathon Training:
Ultramarathon training is more specialized. In addition to building up to longer distances, you’ll need to include trail running, practice running on uneven terrain, and train with elevation changes if your race has hills. Many ultramarathon training plans incorporate back-to-back long runs to simulate race conditions and to prepare your body for the extended time on your feet.
Final Thoughts
Marathons and ultramarathons are more than just physical challenges—they’re journeys of self-discovery. Running strips away the noise of everyday life, forcing you to confront your limits and push through them. Those moments of discomfort, the physical exhaustion, and the mental struggles you battles are all part of the process of learning how much you’re truly capable of.
Running a marathon or ultramarathon is a test not only of your body but of your mind. It’s about being patient when thing don’t go your way, resilience, the ability to move forward when every part of you wants to stop. The longer the race, the more you learn about yourself. You learn how to embrace discomfort, how to be present in the moment, and how you manage to find strength when it seems like there’s nothing left in the tank.
For many, crossing the finish line is more than just an accomplishment. It’s a moment of transformation. It’s proof that you can endure, that you can keep going even when the path ahead seems impossible. And in that moment, you realise that the finish line was never really the goal. The real achievement lies in the journey. The hours of training, the mental battles, and the unwavering commitment to keep putting one foot in front of the other. It’s not about what you’ve done on race day, it’s about who you’ve become by that day.
Whether you’re running a marathon or an ultramarathon, it’s not just about the miles you cover. It’s about the way each step teaches you more about your own perserverance, resilience, and determination. When you challenge yourself in this way, you come to understand that you’re capable of much more than you ever thought. Not just in running, but in life.
Weekly Podcast Episode Rec:
Modern Wisdom, Dry Creek Dewayne – Life Lessons From A Modern Cowboy.
Dewayne Noel is a modern day cowboy, educator, and founder of Dry Creek Wrangler School. You’ll ending up hearing his backstory, how any person can overcome & control their anger, what Dewayne has learned from working with horses, the dangers of being out of balance in work & life, how to have a better relationship with the voice in your head, how to find the right partner & why men need to learn to treat women better and loads more. Probably one of my favourite podcasts of all time.
Life/Travel/Running Hack
Go for walk. If your someone who’s glued to their work desk feeling stressed or overwhelmed making it hard for you to solve a problem then I recommend going for a 10-15 minute walk. You’ll be surprised what can do for you.
Something I’m pondering ‘Food for Thought’
“If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon.” Emil Zátopek.
Thanks for reading and subscribing.
It’s better to miss home than it is too miss out on the adventure.
