There is no way around it, if you want to finish an ultramarathon, you have to put the work in. While there’s no need to abandon your life and live on the trails for months, you can’t skip the training either. To survive the distance, you should be looking to train for a specific number of hours at the right time.
Let’s be clear, these training minimums are not set in stone. Could you technically cross the finish line on fewer hours? Yes, it is possible. But if you want to actually finish the race without it becoming a total slog, following these guidelines could make the entire experience infinitely easier on your body.
Assuming you already have a basic running routine, here is the minimum time commitment you ideally need to endure to make it to the finish line.
50K and 50-Mile Ultramarathons
For the 50K and 50-mile distances, your peak training weeks start exactly 6 weeks before your goal event.
Once you hit that mark, you should be looking to complete a minimum-maximum of 6 hours of training per week for 3 weeks.
100K and 100-Mile Ultramarathons
Stepping up to triple digits requires a significantly heavier time tax. For a 100K or 100-mile race, your peak training starts exactly 9 weeks before your goal event.
During this block, ideally you have to hit a minimum-maximum of 9 hours of training per week for 6 weeks. Could you wing it on less? Maybe, but hitting these hours will make the experience vastly better when you are 15 hours deep into the race.
Final Thoughts
Ultramarathons demand a baseline commitment. You don’t have to train for a year, but you absolutely have to show up and do the work during these critical peak weeks. While you can always try and do it on less training, sticking to these guidelines will help to make your race day a success instead of a survival story. Log the hours, tick the boxes, and make it easier on yourself.
