Ready for your first ultra?

I know the idea of running an ultramarathon seems daunting, but you are probably capable of it with the right training, even if you haven’t run much in your life. Here are some ways to know if you’re ready. 

• You run for the scenery — You’re drawn to trails that lead you to beautiful places to run, and you find yourself exploring places with names like “Devil’s Backbone.” 

• When you go for a hike, it’s an all-day adventure — You’re used to being on your feet all day, even if you’re merely walking, for the summit of a 14er or to see that special waterfall or the chance at a moose. 

• You don’t mind feeling exhausted — In fact, after one of those hikes I just mentioned above, you kind of enjoy it. 

• You’re tired of road races with thousands of people. 

• You’ve thought to yourself, “wouldn’t it be nice just to run a race with the only goal of finishing?”

• You’re burnt out on worrying about pace, PRs or pushing until you puke. 

• You’d rather eat Sour Patch Kids instead of another gel during a race

• You’ve run a few marathons and looking for a new challenge now that they keep bumping the qualifying times for the Boston Marathon just out of reach. 

• You’ve always wondered what it’s like to start a race you don’t know you’ll finish. 

• You don’t care if Garmin calls you “Unproductive.” In fact, sometimes you don’t run with your Garmin at all. 

• You prefer walking hills to running them, and you take frequent walk breaks during your runs. 

• You’ve wondered what it’s like to run at night, or all night, or anytime, really, other than 7 a.m.

•  You actually like it when someone says, “I don’t even like to drive that far” when you tell them the distance of your next race. 

If you said yes to any of these or more than a few, you’re ready to try your first ultramarathon. Don’t let the idea scare you. Fear is part of the fun.