From your first training run to standing at the start line of your first ultramarathon, this guide is your first step in a potentially life-changing experience.
Suffering and pain are common speak for ultrarunners. The niche sport can sound intimidating considering the crazy mileage. But with the proper training, footwear, and nutrition, just about anybody can partake in the sport and surprise themselves.
We spoke with La Sportiva athletes Clare Gallagher and Nico Barraza to learn how to transition into longer distances, get into trail running, and, ultimately, run in ultramarathons.
Clare Gallagher burst onto the endurance scene by earning a first-place finish at the 2016 Leadville 100-mile, with the second-fastest time in history. Then in 2017, she won and set the course record on the Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix 101K in France.
Nico Barraza is no stranger to top finishes in western ultramarathons, having notched first place in a number of 50K and 100K ultras.
Read on to start down the long and humbling road of ultramarathons.
This article is sponsored by La Sportiva and highlights its Lycan trail running shoe. For mid- to long-distance running on trails, the Lycan is a lightweight and ultramarathon-ready shoe.
Are You Sure You Want to Run an Ultra?
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Ultramarathons are not for the faint of heart. The races, which range from 50Ks (31.1 miles) to 200-milers and beyond, involve a huge physical and mental commitment – not to mention a lot of time for training.
“If you’re looking to do something really stupid, but soul-searing and life-changing, sign up immediately,” says Clare Gallagher.
But the outcome is an experience you will never forget, and hopefully one full of inner discovery.
“Many find out that they had much more to give than previously thought possible,” remarked Nico Barraza.
Ask yourself, “Is this really something I want to do?”
Running an Ultramarathon: Start Training
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Learn To Speed Hike
Get Ultramarathon Gear
![La Sportiva Lycan](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2018/05/la-sportiva-lycan-700x467.jpg)