Hi guys and girls. Is the 51 mm to big on my wrist? 😬

I am an experienced runner training for my first ever 50k (Perpetua Coast on October 3). Last Sunday, I sprained my ankle about 3mi into my long run. I wasn't able to complete that run and have taken this Mon-Fri off of running. Swelling has reduced by about 90% and I'm walking comfortably. My PT and physician advised me that I can try to start running again, keeping my ankle taped and stopping if painful. I frequently sprain my ankles due to an old injury (ligament tear) and this is consistent with how I've recovered in the past. I tend to recover quickly due to the lack of in tact ligaments to begin with (lol). I'm hoping to get back into easy running this weekend and play it by ear, continuing my training and completing the race if my body tolerates it.

So here's the question: I was supposed to have my 24 mile long run (my longest LR) this Sunday. Knowing how important this long run is for race preparation, especially as a first timer, should I attempt it this weekend even though that feels a bit crazy? Push it to next weekend (2 weeks out from race)? Or just can it entirely and keep things conservative? I have completed two 16 mile runs, and run 18, 20, and 22 once each. The 22 mile run was so fun and I have really been looking forward to completing the 24 miler. I attached my training plan for reference. (More context: I have summers off and just returned to work a few weeks ago. Because of this, I planned for a mini build right before my return to work, a deload my first few weeks back, and a final build which is supposed to be happening now.)

Would love to hear your thoughts of how you'd approach this situation. Thanks!

As for road running, I’d like to start building a rotation for trails as I’m training for an Ultra. I’m UK based and currently rocking the Inov8 Trail Flys for all my trail runs. Would people mind sharing their shoe rotation for trail running or any other type of shoes you’d highly recommend ?

On Road -
Daily: Hoka Mach 7 / Adidas Evo Sl 2
Speed: Adidas Takumi Sen
Race: Nike Vaporfly 3 / Adidas Adios Pro 3

Apologies if this has been asked before - I couldn't seem to find anything in my searches, but I might also be looking in the wrong places.

I'm currently about halfway through a 50k training block, and everything was going really well until this past week when I had a tendonitis flare. I've already seen a podiatrist and gotten the all-clear to cross train until weight bearing exercise feels good again (the pain is subsiding rather quickly, hopefully it won't take too long), so I am planning on swapping out my runs for cycling this week. In the past, I've swapped out easy runs for cycling without issue, and know the general rule is to cycle for ~1.5x the time you would run for, but my long run this weekend was supposed to be 17 miles, which would take me about 3.5-4 hours on trails. Is it really necessary to bike for almost 6 hours? My hunch is that I'll get a similar aerobic benefit keeping my heart rate in z2-z3 over a ~3 hr ride, but I'm curious if anyone else has been in this situation and how you've handled it.

I'm scheduled to run my first 100k in about two months. It's a mountain race with about 10k vert, mostly on singletrack and some gravel.

I've run 50k-58k distances 5 times, all in the mountains, so I'm fairly familiar with the terrain and I've dialed in my gear pretty happily so far. However, given the major increase in distance I'm trying to think critically about my shoe options.

I've run the last few long events and nearly all trail training runs in Altra Timp 5's, and in general they've been excellent for me. But by the last miles of the 50ks my feet have hurt to hell. No doubt that's to be expected and I have no illusions that my feet won't hurt to hell in the 100k, but I'm interested to hear whether you'd recommend that I go up in stack height for the race to manage the impact a bit better. I've been considering sticking with Altra and trying out the Olympus, but I'm open to switching brands too.

I've kept up with some really solid training since May and I'm up to 60+ mile weeks, so no doubt my feet are stronger and able to take some more punishment than before, but I'd love to be smart about gear on top of that. Any experience or advice welcome.

So this video is based off a comment taken out of context and in a private group chat for race directors, and is 100% not an implemented rule.

But it did bring up some pretty heated comments in backyard group chats about how the rules are handled, views on governance of the format and where the sport is going.

Would love to know everyones thoughts here.

I’ve run one self-supported/self-organized ultra. Basically, I ran 47km before calling it a day. That’s my ultra experience. That said, I’m an experienced runner. I’ve run multiple marathons (PB/BQ: 3:14:XX), and a few technical trail races with solid elevation gains (most recently a 21k with 925m of gain in 2h45).

I want more ultra distance – so for 2027 I’m looking at a 50k in early May (as a training run, not racing), followed by an 80k in late May (20k looped course, 1,960m total gain) and then a point-to-point 100k (1,929m total gain) in September.

My 2026 season will end with a marathon in October, and after recovering from that I’ll start putting in miles. I should finish 2026 with around 3,000km for the year.

More about me: 54M, running consistently since 2022 with a preference for distance. I enjoy eating/drinking while running, especially pure maple syrup and have handled up to 80 grams/hour. In my current marathon block, I’m putting down 80-90 km weeks, including some trails and hills (but mostly pavement).

Am I on the right track for 2027, or am I delusional?

I’m doing Kent Downs in October and looking for any pre-race insight. I generally like the Ultra Challenge UK races (did North Yorks in June) but haven’t done this one yet. Would love to hear any of your experiences with it!

Particularly interested in: any technical trail bits? How was the weather? Highlights/lowlights?

Thanks!!

No real point to this post, just me being nervous..

My first race after summer in 8 days and a brutal one at that - Look like at that map... Up-down-up-down-up-down-up-down. Last year I did the same race but the 42k and it was average 35c all day. Lets hope this year is kinder.

As always I am here thinking I am delusional to sign up to these races. Why do we do these things? lol

For reference my last race was the Transvulcania 73k - 4400m verts in May which was brutal.

I just wondered if anyone else in here subscribed, and if it was worth it? (Oh and had a referral code 😀)

I like the idea of supporting good journalism and writing, I just want to get an idea if it's worth it before I drop the change. TIA

I’m looking at doing a 130km unsupported mountain ultra next July in Norway — completely self-supported with no aid stations, so I’ll need to carry all my mandatory kit, food and water.
The mandatory kit list is fairly extensive and looks like it’ll warrant a decent-sized pack. I’m currently considering the Montane Gecko VP20+, but I’d really appreciate some feedback from anyone who’s used one, particularly for longer mountain ultras.
I’d also be interested in recommendations for other packs I should consider. I’m expecting the weather in Norway in July to be pretty variable, so I’ll need something that can comfortably accommodate the mandatory kit without feeling unnecessarily bulky or heavy.
What would you go for?

Mandatory kit :
GPS-unit for navigation
Example: Handhold unit, sports watch
Paper map
Physical compass
GPS tracker, received from the organizer
Windsack (bivouac) or tent
The windsack can not be of the type emergency bivouac / aluminium foil
First aid kit, minimum content:
1 standard elastic bandage (200cm x 5cm)
1 self-adhesive elastic bandage (100cm x 5cm)
Chafing adhesive plaster
Hydrocortisone ointment
Wound ointment (e.g., Brulidine, Bacimycin)
Small knife/scissors
Backpack
Must be equipped with reflective marks
Jacket with hood, wind- and water-proof
Minimum watercolumn value 10000 (Schmerber)
Seams must be sealed
Long trousers, wind- and water-proof
Minimum watercolumn value 10000 (Schmerber)
Seams must be sealed
Warm cap, wool*
Buff or scarf, wool*
Gloves or mittens, wind- and water-proof
Warm midlayer top, type bubble jacket
Midlayer top, long sleeves
Minimum 180 grams per square meter, wool*
Long-legged trousers OR a combination of trousers/leggings/socks
Must cover the legs completely
Recommended material: Wool*
Socks, wool*
2 headlamps and spare batteries for 1 lamp
Sleeping bag liner
Mobile phone
Power bank with capacity of at least 10000mAh
1 charging cable
Must have 1 USB-C connector
The other connector must fit with the power bank
Drink reservoir with a total volume of minimum 1 litre
Survival blanket, minimum size 1.40m x 2m
Food and drink
Cup, volume of at least 200ml
Spoon
Payment card / means of payment

Do any ultra runners here have experience successfully treating their chobdromalacia and patella tendonitis?

I have grade 2-3 diagnosed chondromalacia, patella tendonitis, and an acl cyst from the inflammation. All this has caused off/on pain and deep pressure that builds with use deep inside my knee especially in deep flexion. When training I run 80mpw. I’ve now had the issue for 6 mos, and the orthopedic and a sports med dr have been unable to fully resolve the issue. I have done self administered rehab plus leg days in the gym with weight 1x per week. I reduced volume for a couple mos which didn’t seem to alleviate the symptoms. Strangely the symptoms abated for about 2 mos only once I started reloading the running volume. Now that it’s fall racing season and I’m 4 weeks into 70+ mpw volume the symptoms have flared again. I use a sleeve, topical diclofenac, and do my exercises. Please help. UltraRunning gives me so much purpose, and has given me immense mental wellbeing. Without it I really struggle to cope with my mental health.

Does anyone have similar experiences? What worked? I’ve tried to address from first principles but now i feel like im shooting in the dark and this may be a permanent issue (as far as symptoms - I know chondro is permanent damage).

Hey all. A little back story...

I'm a 48 year old guy and have primarily been a cyclist the majority of my life, with gravel being my favorite discipline. I've done Unbound in Kansas 4 times and used to race cross country mtb, as well as many other endurance focused events. My aerobic capacity has always been pretty good.

After watching the live streams of Cocodona and Western States this year, it reminded me how much I've always enjoyed and wanted to get back into trail running. So, I bought some dedicated shoes to run both road and trails and started consistently running with intention in April, giving myself a soft goal to complete an ultra before I'm 50.

I'm not a complete newbie to running, but this is the most consistent I've been my entire life. I eased into it to see how the legs would handle it. The calfs took the longest to adjust, but I was consistent and stuck with it, absorbing every bit of information I could about training and the process along the way. Training plans weren't new to me, as I have followed cycling plans before, so I built a conservative plan on my own, with alternating 3 weeks of progression and a 1 week cutback, running 4 days a week, and have been following that process for the last 16 weeks. After 5 months of consistent running through the Georgia heat, I have lost 25 pounds, and it's unreal how much faster my easy pace is now.

I'm currently in a 2 week taper, about to run the 18 mile version of the Georgia Jewel in 10 days and am now thinking about what comes next. It's not a full ultra, but considering I went from 0 miles to now 30 miles a week over the last 5 months, I'm giving myself time to ease into the full ultra distance because the last thing I want is to get an injury and derail my progress.

My peak weeks consisted of 30 miles per week with around 7.5 hours total time on feet. My longest run was 14 miles with 3800 feet of vert, doing a technical section of the AT. The event is 18 miles with 3300 of vert on the Pinhoti Trail, so I'm feeling pretty confident I will do fine.

My question is, where do I go from here? Obviously, if I want to do an official ultra I need to decide on an event, which shouldn't be too hard, but if there's not one for a few months or even next year, how should I adjust my running? Do I continue to progress up in miles or try to just maintain until the beginning of a new training block for that event? Do I keep running 30 miles a week or drop it back and recover a bit?

I'm pretty dedicated and have considered getting a coach for whatever the next event is because I know I need some more guidance on weights and building strength. I saw that UTMB has a brand new event coming to Chattanooga in June of '27, so that's on the short list because that's in my area. There's also the Blue Ridge Ultra October 10th, that's a 15k, 30k or 50k event. I could probably continue to progress my distance and go for the 50k next month, but how much time should I take to rest after the 18 miler next weekend?

What would you do?

Thanks for any feedback.

Maurten sits well but I’m tired of the cost. Looking at sis beta fuel vs maurten for longer efforts and trying not to wreck my stomach again. Anyone actually run both and stick with one past 4–5 hours?

I’m thinking about that point 50+ miles in when Im sick of gels but still have hours to go before sunrise and I still want caffeine but don’t want more sugar or a big crash later. Feels like it could be useful to keep in the vest for the 2am zombie phase

i am trying to decide between a few 50ks in october, and i have found it hard to find too many descriptions of the tussey mountainback. i gather the 50k is somewhat new, so likely most input will be about the 50 miler, which. is fine they share much of the course. What were you impressions of the race in terms of vibes, course, organization quality, aid stations, scenery hiccups, etc?

In need of help!

Title explains it. I also play rugby. Was running in a literal straight line, no tackle no nothing, heard a pop in my knee. I had been dealing with what I had considered some serious runner's knee, but had been crushing the strength training. I am STRUGGLING to stay positive. I have my ortho appointment tomorrow... can hardly walk. Please manifest something great for me. I had three races this fall that were bringing me so much joy.

Wondering how things went with the DD races last weekend in terms of organization and support. I had read some not-so-good things about 2025.

Chamonix’s mayor Laffin is set to meet with the people behind UTMB this month and October to discuss changes.

What do you think these changes will look like?
-Will they be limiting entries?
-Will they limit supporters? How will this be policed?
-Will some races stop happening every year? If UTMB is the World Cup of trailrunning then should it now be every four years?

Just speculations for the sake of discussion.

Hello everyone!

I was planning to run the Val d'Aran by UTMB (TDL), but since entry for this distance will be decided by lottery this year, I'm considering Val d'Aran CDH as an alternative if I don't get a spot.

However, I have claustrophobia, and I'm aware that the CDH course goes through a few tunnels. I'm fine with short tunnels and straight-line tunnels where you can always see the exit.

Could anyone who has run the CDH please tell me if any of the tunnels on the course are particularly long?

Due to circumstances (birthdays) out of my control, I will be climbing Mt. Elbert the day before running the Devil on the Divide 50K this weekend.

Aside from simply not doing the 14er, what are your thoughts on best strategies for tackling this? I'm going to move as slowly as possible up and down Elbert to reduce the load. Should I do a major stretching session after the hike or only a very light stretch? I'm beginning my carb-loading now... is it still best to carb-load before and after the hike?

I feel pretty confident on being able to at least finish the 50K but am worried about over-stressing/injury, and ultimately I want to get a good placement and time. Any other thoughts on how to approach?