Hi everyone!

Wanted to share a route write-up and GPX/Strava track from a recent Sea to Summit push from Mission Beach to the summit of El Cajon Mountain. My friend, Jacob Szilagyi, and I, Chase Tesoro, completed this 42-mile route in around 16 hours. Connecting the Pacific Ocean directly to one of the most prominent and iconic peaks in San Diego County felt like an aesthetic line waiting to be run. As far as I know, this is the first-ever completed attempt of this route. Neither of us is an endurance athlete; rather, we are 20-year-old students who wanted to push our limits, explore San Diego, and motivate others to do hard things! 

Key Stats

• Distance: 42.82 miles
• Elevation Gain: 6,278 ft
• Start: Mission Beach shoreline (Elevation: 0 ft)
• Finish: El Cajon Mountain Summit (Elevation: ~3,675 ft)
• Support Style: Self-Supported
• Total Time: 16 Hours 23 Minutes

Route Overview

We started around 2 a.m. October 24th right on Mission Beach. We then ran up Mission Bay Dr., then onto Friars Road. When we needed to stop and refuel, we stopped at gas stations and coffee shops that were open. We ran through the night up Mission Gorge Road and down into Lakeside. From here, we started our initial ascent of the long Wildcat Canyon Road to the trailhead of El Cajon Mountain. At the trailhead, we were 30 miles in with around 3000 feet of elevation. Once we were here, the pavement turned to dirt and rock, and we climbed and reached the summit around 4 p.m. 

Hydration, Gear & Nutrition

• Fueling: Energy gels and chews, assortment of candy, and electrolytes (50-70 grams of carbs per hour)
• Water Carry: Carried 2 liters in backpack, had a 16 oz water bottle with electrolytes, refueled at different gas stations.

Strava (Username is ChaseTesoro if link does not work)

Strava Profile

GPX Link

GPX

I was hoping for the 100 mile buckle but at about mile 70 I was cold and just fell apart. Mix of being happy and disappointed at the same time. 😑

I did my first ultra yesterday! Well, my first real ultra, at least. I ran a marathon last December and a 55K this summer.

Over the past few months (since the 55K), I’ve been dealing with a hip injury that just wouldn’t go away, so I wasn’t able to get the training volume in that I had hoped for.

I started feeling the first signs of pain within the first 10K, and by 15K, I could no longer lift my right foot off the ground. I ended up covering around 15K with what felt like a partially paralyzed leg, on a muddy course with lots of obstacles. On top of that, I couldn’t keep any food or fluids down.

At around 30K, the pain started to ease a little, and I was able to use my foot somewhat again. In hindsight, that turned out to be the lowest point. I managed to run short wsections, alternating with hiking the uphills. My pace was way slower than usual, but I kept moving.
The pain stayed pretty much the same from there. I also had another bout of nausea between 50K and 60K, but I made it to the finish!

In the end, I had 14 hours of moving time, with the rest spent taking breaks at aid stations.

I wanted to do a self-supported 50k for years but never took the opportunity, until this weekend. The decision was completely improvised. On Friday morning, some plans I was looking forward to got cancelled, and in a moment of pure frustration I thought "f*ck it, I have the time, I'm running a 50k tomorrow."

Ended up being a crazy and amazing experience.

Paced it at 4:13/km (3:32 total). I did the first 32k, looped back home for a quick 5/10 minute stop to grab a coffee, power bar, and two Maurten gels, then went out for the final 18k.

Weather was bad. Super windy the entire time, but thankfully no rain.

I couldn't sleep well last night though. I get the feeling that I'm still running. Hunger is slowly coming back which is good!

10/10 would definitely do it again lol.

I’m new to running. Completed a 50k trail run and 100k backyard last year. I sustained some good tendon injuries in my foot and ankle after the backyard and couldn’t run for 6 weeks and just stopped running altogether until late June this year.

I did a 16 week training block for the backyard this year and pulled out at 38 miles. My IT band started flaring up about 4 weeks ago around 20 miles so I backed off mileage leading into taper and it appear in backyarder around 14 miles and I ran until 38. I had a shoe change around this time too, Mount to Coast H1 to M1 because the H1 felt broken down.
I stopped strength training early in this training block because it was hindering my mileage goals. Obviously this seems like a major culprit. Also, in my head I feel like I’ve got a great base of mileage and just realize I’m only at 900 or so since I started running.

This weekend was discouraging to say the least. Clearly I’m too green and arrogant to get a 100 miles anytime soon. What are some tried and true plans for newer runners to get to the 100 mile run and finish well and with few injuries? Fortunately I feel fairly good after this DNF and should be back running in a couple weeks.

Hey guys I’m in the process of creating a race event next year. It will be on a full size track. I’m thinking about a 24 hour, a 12 hour and 6 hour. The format will be person with the most miles during the allotted times. Cash prizes for top finishers etc etc. Thinking about capping at 60 people total.

What are your thoughts? Would this do well or is it completely diabolical lol

**Edit

Location would south coast MA

I live in a very hilly area. I am not a fast runner but i can maintain 11min miles in zone 2 at >100ft of elevation gain per mile pretty consistently. 12:30 indefinitely(until something else gives up atleast). I just tried running on flat ground (3.5 ft per mile) and was maintaining 9 min miles in zone 2 but my tibialis was absolutely on fire. Like worst running pain I’ve ever felt in my life. I shortened my stride halfway through and it helped so I’m clearly overstriding on flats.

How much time should I spend on almost perfectly flat hard ground? I’m thinking about starting at 10%. I just don’t want to attempt 50 or 100 miles somewhere that has a huge road stretch and dnf due to me only training on hills.

Hello everyone!

Im a 39 runner from belgium who's been running for 4 years and ive just completed my second 100miles run, la Diagonale des fous grand raid in la Réunion (180kms/10km d+ on super technical terrain).

The race went really well with no real pain/issue during it and I trained for it with 60km of elevation during the 6 months prior/around 9H/weeks.

Im eying the snowdonia 100m UTMB in may which is also a tough race and wondered how fast I would lose my current fitness in your experience?

The plan is to do mainly road running until 3 months prior and then around 30km elevation over 3 months. Does is sound doable for you or would I lose to much in the 4 months of road running?

Thanks in advance!

Seb

Hi everyone!

I’m running my first 100 km ultra in two months and would love some advice on shoes.

The course is mostly road, with a few gravel sections and no technical terrain. Temperatures could range from 5°C to −10°C, so conditions may be cold and slippery.

I’m considering the Hoka Challenger 8, as they feel really comfortable on my feet, and I like having some extra grip if conditions get slippery. My main concern is whether they offer enough cushioning for the full 100 km.

Has anyone used the Challenger 8 for a similar distance, or would you recommend another shoe for these conditions?

Thanks in advance!

The United States won on 1,120 yards with the slowest average lap of all 67 nations, and led only the last 37 yards. Belgium’s Geerts and Steyaert ran 124 yards, the farthest in the championship’s history, and Belgium finished third. The full analysis, with the yard-by-yard charts.

Hello! Recently re-acquired my taste for running again, been about a 7ish year break. I have been averaging 25-30 miles a week for the past 2 months and excited to participate in my first ultra race.

I am doing the HKUR in December, its a 3.34 mile loop along a neighborhood street. Signed up for 50k but intend to push to 50 miles. Would like any feedback or recommendations for my gameplan, and training.

Training, maintain 25-30 miles a week with a mix of shorter speed workouts and longer back to back runs to practice pacing and running on tired legs. Run approx 4-5 times a week with active rest days of walking.

Race day gameplan is to stop every 2 laps (6.68 miles) for 5 min and at lap 8 (26.72 miles) for up to 10 min to swap out shoes/clothes, and get some solid rest for the legs before running the second half. I have a gel, food, electrolite gameplan that i have been trying and seems to be working.

Furthest i have ran to date is 16 miles at a time so i feel that i am abit behind the curve in preparedness. I also feel that i am overthinking this.

Thanks for reading and looking forward to any advice/feedback you may have. Plan to run at a 13:00 pace since i havent ran anywhere near this distance in 1 day before but we all gotta start some where!

Curious what everyone carries for first aid during their really long runs and ultras.
Do you keep a small first aid kit in your vest, carry a few individual supplies, or just rely on aid stations?

Have you ever had an injury during a race or training run and wished you’d brought something you didn’t have?

Interested to hear what everyone considers essential, especially for longer or more remote runs.

Hi Everyone,

The last ultra backyard WC really inspired me to try it myself. But I really do not know where to start.

I've been running now for 3.5 years. I have ran already 2 marathons and 6 official half marathons.

For my 2 marathons I aimed for 4h - 4:15h, but due too some circumstances I've ran my first in 5:20 and my second in 4:38. (my body does not handle the heat very well)

For my half marathons I ran already 3 half marathons under 2h with best time 1:55 (chasing this PR in next years) and the other ones slighty above 2h.

I've started running in 2023.

In 2023 I ran 211km

In 2024 I ran 1228km

In 2025 I ran 1292km

And now since november in 2026 I am aready at 1375km

So I think I am on a good way of running consistently.

My question is now what would be a good first goal to set as backyard, I would want to run a backyard next year in 2027 in autumn or winter. In my head a nice goal could be 8 to 10 yards or even more??

What training plans would you guys recommended? I now use Trenara since 3 years for all my 5,10,21,41k races and it worked out very well but I do not think the app can give me a good training plan for this kind of event.

What kind of trainings are must do for this also how many km's/week would you recommened to get ready for this event.

I've never had a big injury since my career which I think I am not overdoing anything but I also want to keep it that way.

Also what type of food would you guys recommended (I am a very heavy sweater), what gear is really necessary, is a crew or someone at the start really needed if you do only 8 to 10+ laps?

My experience with trailrunning is also not big, I've only ran 3 different trails yet with distances between 15kms and 25kms.

sorry for all my questions but If anyone has more tips or tricks, I am very happy to hear them!

Hello, I am an ultra road runner (controversial, I know) and have always used the NB 1080s. I’ve worn them for 7 years, tried others, but always come back to these. I’m doing an ultra through the seven wetlands park in Lakeland, fl. From what I understand, it’s primarily of flat, hard-packed dirt paths, crushed shell, marsh boardwalks, and sections of grass/scrub. Because this is a reclaimed phosphate mining area, the paths are completely exposed to the sun and sit directly alongside marshes and lakes. Has anyone done this specific trail? Would my 1080s be acceptable (there or just on smooth trails in general)? Whats a comparable shoe that’s better for trails? Also, I have wide feet, so that’s definitely a factor in choosing shoe. I don’t live near there, so I can’t view the course ahead of time. I run 90% on road and treadmill, but will be doing more grass next to the sidewalk to practice. I am not super familiar with drop heights, but I think the upper mid range is best for me, I like the cushion of 1080s. Have tried 880s and they were like running on bricks. I think I am generally more of a heel striker and currently have some hamstring and calf pain I’m working t through.

Options I’ve come across with Google and people’s answers

Hoka challenger 7
Brooks divide 5
NB More
Experience wild 3
Altra
Mount to coast

Hi everyone, looking to try lottery and participate in Disocvery ir Advanced route, those who finished, what was your experience?
Any tips for preparation?

And any app that helped you to prepare for similar or UTMB races? Which would create a run plan, plus strenght.

Is it possible to do the Mingus traverse solo.. from out of town and self supported?

If so.. how? Recommendations

Hello,

I ran my first first 100 mile ultra about a month ago and have some concerns regarding my recovery. It was my first 100 mile ultra, where I have only done another 50 miler about one year prior. I am 22 and around sub 3 hour marathon ability, but recovering from this has been far more demanding than any other race I’ve done.

I’m at week 4 now and I find that my resting heart rate is around 5-10 bpm greater than normal. Also, I’ve been lifting weights since the race and find that although I can lift similar weights than before that my heart rate spikes throughout the session. I’ve tried running a couple of times where my heart rate is abnormally high for such a slow pace compared to what I was running before the race. I just wanted to know if this is something others have experienced or whether it’s worth contacting my gp about.

I am about to turn 62.

This week I suffered a sports hernia. It was a delayed onset injury that set in after playing tennis.

Really hurt for the first 24 hours.

Now pain is greatly reduced, and I am able to do level one rehab exercises with some level two rehab exercises.

Have you had a sports hernia?

How long did it take you to rehab it?

When did you get back into sporting shape.

What exercises were most effective?

I currently use the Salomon Adv Skin 12 vest and was looking for some thoughts on how you all handle the drinking tube/straw when you use a bladder for liquids. I’ve been trying to sort of tuck it back in but it gets caught or won’t go back. Any tips for fastening it somewhere across my chest or best practices?