1. Ultrarunning is about food!
In marathons, the only thing offered at aid stations is water, or sometimes, sports drinks. Maybe a GU will get thrown in now and then to keep you from dropping dead.
- I’m More of a Chocolate Outrage Fan
But in ultras, they offer a veritable buffet!
Now That's an Aid Station!
And you know how much I love to eat!
Ultra aid stations offer:
Goldfish
Oreos
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches
Soda - No Diet!
And…
I Wish! (HelloGiggles.com)
2. Ultrarunning is the opposite of Hollywood – it favors the old.
She Just Finished a 100 Miler!
Ultras, unlike shorter races, seem to be dominated by “older” runners. The winners are usually in their 30s and 40s. How cool is that? Because ultrarunning is more about endurance and experience than just raw speed, older runners have the advantage. Most of us have kids. We have endured. We know how to deal with vomit, peeing in bushes, and talking to someone throwing a tantrum. Life has MADE us ultrarunners.
3. Ultrarunning combines all my obsessions into one arena and makes them seem (almost) cool, instead of just plain crazy.
In what other environment can you run miles and miles a day, drink gallons of coffee, venture out into the middle of nowhere just because, and have serious conversations about obscure medical conditions like renal failure or sudden cardiac arrest, and still claim it’s what you do for fun? Nowhere, unless you are on an episode of House.
Hugh Laurie is the Bomb!
Think about it. Ultrarunners are the only people I know who think it is perfectly normal to ask each other at aid stations, “Have you peed in the last couple of hours?”.
Keep Drinking and Peeing!
Mom, ultrarunner, four-time US 24 Hour National Team member, adventure athlete, food writer. Graduate of the Pro Cooking Program at the New School of Cooking, Los Angeles. Will run for food.
{ 2 comments }
Ha! You make a very compelling case for ultra running. Sounds appealing even. But how does one resist lolling at that buffet?
It was very tempting during my first few races. But then I learned how to eat AND run – a very useful skill! Come try it!
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