Hello everyone, I have been running for a few months and I am currently training for my first 80km (~50miles). Once this goal achieved, I would like to train for a Marathon with a time target. My current weakness for Ultra-trail is running uphill, and I am not satisfied with my speed on flat terrain. Knowing that my aim is to participate in TORX (in 2 years, maybe), I am unsure whether I should focus on the Marathon to build up speed or continue my ultra trail training (trail, uphilll and long runs). I am also aware these are different sports and that it is difficult to give feedback with the lack of details but I am wondering what you would do and/or if my logic is flawed.
Thanks :)
That’s great! Good luck with your upcoming 80km.
From my own experience (~3 years of running, 1 100k, 7-10 runs between 50 and 70kms, 4 marathons, and a couple of shorter distances recently), consistent speed work is important, and goes a long way for running longer distances. I still run at 60% heart rate, but the speed is higher and the races become easier.
I would do a marathon if you want to. I found them fun, but they are not for everyone. A very different experience from an ultra.
Re hills, I find downhills much harder and more important to train for than uphills. The time you lose from walking uphill is minimal compared to running.