Ultra Discussion Thread

Enduro

mithril wrote: »

Any tips for dealing with sleep deprivation during an Ultra?
My experience is that I cope with the tiredness in the body pretty well, but as soon as night falls, it’s the sleep deprivation that is the killer. The sensation does not appear to be just a function of tiredness since I revive pretty well as soon as it gets bright again. Not sure whether to chance a nap during UTMB and for what length? Would the body lock up and make it very difficult to get going again?

My least favourite thing in long ultras. No major tips, just have to deal with it mainly. Its your Circadian rhythms, hence your recovery with daylight. So if you're going to sleep, time it to fit in. Once the sun is up, there should be no need to sleep.

Power naps of 20 minutes or so can be surprisingly effective. Might be enough to get you through to daybreak. If you're not racing for time/position in the UTMB, then why not take a nap (once you're not up against the cut-offs). Better to enjoy the race than endure it. The restart will probably be hard alright, but not as bad as hours of sleep deprived zombieness.

Also, if you know you're going to sleep then obviously don't consume any caffine leading up the the nap. And if you think you might need pain killers (or anti-inflams... but they are extremely risky) take them before sleeping. You're likely to find it surprisingly difficult to get to sleep due to discomfort.

mithril wrote: »

I tend to use the torch at the lowest setting necessary to save the battery, but would a more powerful beam which floods the trail ahead with light help combat the fatigue?

It probably will help, and beyond battery consumption issues has no big downsides.

RayCun

Enduro wrote: »

Also, if you know you're going to sleep then obviously don't consume any caffine leading up the the nap.

There's an argument that you should take your caffeine before a short (20-30 minute) nap, because it won't stop you sleeping and will help wake you up after

chickey2

RayCun wrote: »

There's an argument that you should take your caffeine before a short (20-30 minute) nap, because it won't stop you sleeping and will help wake you up after

Yes, I've tried it and it works!

https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/31/really-the-claim-for-a-more-restful-nap-avoid-caffeine/?_r=0

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8936399

https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa16/2016/10/19/coffee-nap-or-a-coffee-nap/

chickey2

chickey2 wrote: »

Yes, I've tried it and it works!

https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/31/really-the-claim-for-a-more-restful-nap-avoid-caffeine/?_r=0

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8936399

https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa16/2016/10/19/coffee-nap-or-a-coffee-nap/

I should point our I've not tried it during an ultra race!
The third article is quite informative about different ways to combat sleep deprivation

Enduro

Interesting reading! Must try that one live in the field at the next opportunity. Seems specific to power-nap situations.

My own n=1 experience concurs that naps are much more effective than caffeine.

Ed McGroarty

Irish world 24hr championship team


http://www.nirunning.co.uk/news

TFBubendorfer

Ed McGroarty wrote: »

Irish world 24hr championship team


http://www.nirunning.co.uk/news

That's a good line up. I'm particularly delighted that Ireland has finally managed to select a woman's team!

kit3

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

That's a good line up. I'm particularly delighted that Ireland has finally managed to select a woman's team!

Forgive my ignorance of this but what has been the problem up to now ? Is there a lack of quality female ultra runners here or were they just not interested ?

Enduro

kit3 wrote: »

Forgive my ignorance of this but what has been the problem up to now ? Is there a lack of quality female ultra runners here or were they just not interested ?

Minimum selection standard is the IAU international funding B standard for both males and females. In the case of females that is 200km. Up until recently there have been very few females running to that standard. But things have been improving hugely in recent times.

TFBubendorfer

Enduro wrote: »

Minimum selection standard is the IAU international funding B standard for both males and females. In the case of females that is 200km. Up until recently there have been very few females running to that standard. But things have been improving hugely in recent times.

That's exactly right, and the massive recent improvements in standards is why I'm delighted to finally see a full team.

Jakey Rolling

The publicity machine that is Dean Karnazes currently on Newstalk's OffTheBall. Shame with the week that's in it that they wouldn't interview a local ultra athlete!

davedanon

Jakey Rolling wrote: »

The publicity machine that is Dean Karnazes currently on Newstalk's OffTheBall. Shame with the week that's in it that they wouldn't interview a local ultra athlete!

I'm listening. Pity they don't interview a decent athlete rather than the relative mediocrity that is Karnazes.

Rockyman7

just in case enduro missed his hero on the radio





http://www.newstalk.com/dean-karnazes-interview

davedanon

Rockyman7 wrote: »

just in case enduro missed his hero on the radio

http://www.newstalk.com/dean-karnazes-interview

Shout out for Enduro during the interview from a listener - was that you, Rocky???

Enduro

Rockyman7 wrote: »

just in case enduro missed his hero on the radio





http://www.newstalk.com/dean-karnazes-interview

I've got a bucket nearby and making myself listen to this

Enduro

Jaaaaaaaayssssuuuuus. What a load of verbal excrement.

davedanon

I'm sure you were all cheering him on during his heroic quest re-tracing the footsteps of Phidippides in Greece!

Cabaal

My worst 100miler to date in Conn
http://runninginkilkenny.blogspot.ie/2017/08/connemara-100-mile-2017-race-report.html

Well aware of the reasons why it went so so bad

grahamor

Paul Tierney almost finished Tor des Geants - http://live.tordesgeants.it/#/runner/1089

Amazing stuff, more than 300k covered and 30,000m ascent !

TFBubendorfer

grahamor wrote: »

Paul Tierney almost finished Tor des Geants - http://live.tordesgeants.it/#/runner/1089

Amazing stuff, more than 300k covered and 30,000m ascent !

For those on facebook, that's his finish:
https://www.facebook.com/paul.tierney.77128

Some achievement! :eek:

grahamor

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

For those on facebook, that's his finish:
https://www.facebook.com/paul.tierney.77128

Some achievement! :eek:

Amazing stuff. Wonder how much he slept over the 4 days.

ultrawoman

Am thinking of Spartathlon for next year or 2019. If one has the qualifier, what are the realistic chances of getting a place?
Also, if you get accepted say for 2018, can you defer to the following year?
Thanks. Not finding all the clear answers I need on the website.

Rockyman7

ultrawoman wrote: »

Am thinking of Spartathlon for next year or 2019. If one has the qualifier, what are the realistic chances of getting a place?
Also, if you get accepted say for 2018, can you defer to the following year?
Thanks. Not finding all the clear answers I need on the website.

1 in 4..
no..ur qualifier last for 2 yrs
did ultraman finally get a burd?

Testosterscone

Rockyman7 wrote: »

1 in 4..
no..ur qualifier last for 2 yrs
did ultraman finally get a burd?

I guess he managed to impress her after all. Must need another t shirt in the house at this stage

Ososlo wrote: »

It's not everyday one spots a dude wearing a Spartathlon tee-shirt walking down Santry Avenue.
Was it yourself?

ultraman1 wrote: »

Dat was me alright..was it's inaugural day out,usually wear it as pyjamas tryin to impress Mrs Um,was late for work this morn so left it on . And I even made it onto the trailer with the 148th fittest man on the planet
https://vimeo.com/130293703

normanoffside

Often thought about Spartathlon such a big event in Greece. The Greeks seem to be mad about Soccer and Ultra Running (pity they seem to be useless at the former though, wouldn't trust their locals to keep the ball on the pitch!).

Working class heroes

Rockyman7 wrote: »

1 in 4..
no..ur qualifier last for 2 yrs
did ultraman finally get a burd?

I've a feeling you are talking to yourself there:)

pushpush

I'd love to have a go at Spartatlon.
What are the qualifying requirements?
I know that the DNF rate is very high indeed.

Testosterscone

pushpush wrote: »

I'd love to have a go at Spartatlon.
What are the qualifying requirements?
I know that the DNF rate is very high indeed.

http://www.spartathlon.gr/en/registration-en.html

Sadly DNS and DNF rates are always pretty high for these sorts of races but qualification usually weeds out a good few so the DNFs would tend to be genuine issues (Greece heat can catch people out along with some of the climbs in the later stages of the race)

ultrawoman

Rockyman7 wrote: »

1 in 4..
no..ur qualifier last for 2 yrs

Thanks.

kit3

Testosterscone wrote: »

http://www.spartathlon.gr/en/registration-en.html

Sadly DNS and DNF rates are always pretty high for these sorts of races but qualification usually weeds out a good few so the DNFs would tend to be genuine issues (Greece heat can catch people out along with some of the climbs in the later stages of the race)

Interesting to look at the criteria. Although, as you say, the qualification usually should weed out a good few, a qualification on a flat race, e.g. a track 24 hours, while meeting the criteria would surely not be an adequate indication for this race given the major climbs etc