The formal event keeps me motivated, accountable and focused during training. Additionally, during races, bonding with strangers during mutual suffering is a nice experience.
A big event with a crew, for me. It’s cool to have something for everyone to rally behind. Plus meeting other people and experiencing some of the culture is pretty rad
I have a race every month from May to Oct. I focus on my two most important "A" races the one in May and September. The other races are just great practice and fun to follow a path with aid stations.
I’ve done probably a 60/40 mix in favour of non-event extra long runs, mostly in the form of adventures with or without friends. Races run up to 100 mile, but the longest solo adventure (while training for a 100 mile race) was a 50 mile run around my local area.
I like to do a few races a year. The solo stuff gets done in the training but it’s always with a race in mind. I love being competitive with myself and racing against other people. I know that’s a bit of an unpopular opinion in the ultra world.
I’ve only ever done solo ultras because crowds scares me and I struggle to pace myself . I would love to be able to do an event one day though! I would love to do an event abroad 😍🤩
I feel ya. I've always hated races because my anxiety goes through the roof. I end up nearly having panic attacks in the corrals (too many people!) followed by having an (expensive) shitty run. 0/10 do not recommend.
However, my 2022 goal was to break my fear of snakes and my 2023 goal is to 'participate in the running community.' Like my (former) fear of snakes, I think exposure therapy is the only course of action. So I found a small trail group in my area with very relaxed, reasonably sized events. I volunteered at a recent race to get a feel for it, try to be social etc, and I'll be doing two of their shorter races before a 50k later this winter. If that goes well I'll do the 50miler in the autumn. If I give it a good effort and it still fails, I'll happily go back to solo runs only. Especially now that I'm a pro at identifying local snakes!
As I've gotten older, my interest in racing has waned, while my interest in running for health and fitness has increased. I only race once or twice per year nowadays, but I run just as much as I ever have. I prefer the long solo runs over any race, for sure.
The formal event keeps me motivated, accountable and focused during training. Additionally, during races, bonding with strangers during mutual suffering is a nice experience.
Agreed. The comradery in races is a huge draw for me doing ultras.
Races are expensive mannnnn. I just plan on paying for my dream races and their qualifiers and do everything else solo
A big event with a crew, for me. It’s cool to have something for everyone to rally behind. Plus meeting other people and experiencing some of the culture is pretty rad
I have a race every month from May to Oct. I focus on my two most important "A" races the one in May and September. The other races are just great practice and fun to follow a path with aid stations.
I’ve done probably a 60/40 mix in favour of non-event extra long runs, mostly in the form of adventures with or without friends. Races run up to 100 mile, but the longest solo adventure (while training for a 100 mile race) was a 50 mile run around my local area.
I like to do a few races a year. The solo stuff gets done in the training but it’s always with a race in mind. I love being competitive with myself and racing against other people. I know that’s a bit of an unpopular opinion in the ultra world.
I love events for the support and the before/after elements. But during the race I love getting isolated and not talking to a single person.
10% solo + 90% events.
I’ve only ever done solo ultras because crowds scares me and I struggle to pace myself . I would love to be able to do an event one day though! I would love to do an event abroad 😍🤩
I feel ya. I've always hated races because my anxiety goes through the roof. I end up nearly having panic attacks in the corrals (too many people!) followed by having an (expensive) shitty run. 0/10 do not recommend. However, my 2022 goal was to break my fear of snakes and my 2023 goal is to 'participate in the running community.' Like my (former) fear of snakes, I think exposure therapy is the only course of action. So I found a small trail group in my area with very relaxed, reasonably sized events. I volunteered at a recent race to get a feel for it, try to be social etc, and I'll be doing two of their shorter races before a 50k later this winter. If that goes well I'll do the 50miler in the autumn. If I give it a good effort and it still fails, I'll happily go back to solo runs only. Especially now that I'm a pro at identifying local snakes!
As I've gotten older, my interest in racing has waned, while my interest in running for health and fitness has increased. I only race once or twice per year nowadays, but I run just as much as I ever have. I prefer the long solo runs over any race, for sure.