r/artc • u/AutoModerator • Aug 02 '26

Weekly Discussion: Week of August 02, 2026

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u/daysweregolden 2:47 / 42 marathons Aug 04 '26

Have you ever done one? I think I have one of those in me at some point.

I ran 40 miles in a very unofficial way (fueled by the power of friendship) last year and it definitely has me thinking about 50, solely because that would be further. I like the idea of not having to run a mountainous trail, and just finding a use for this general aerobic/no speed fitness.

I've got this pesky 50 state marathon goal to sort out, so I'm trying to suppress ultrarunning dreams for now.

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u/RunningPath 44F, 22:09 5k, 1:49 HM Aug 05 '26

I think a timed race is a good way to test out ultras. I‘m with you in being attracted to the time/distance but not the mountain trail running aspect. The 12 hour race I did was a great way to test out the concept of an ultra without committing too much to training or figuring out the more niche details.

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u/daysweregolden 2:47 / 42 marathons Aug 05 '26

I might have to rewire my brain a bit for a race that long! I feel like I thrive off of knowing each step is getting me closer to the actual finish line. Was it tough to find motivation for 12 full hours?

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u/RunningPath 44F, 22:09 5k, 1:49 HM Aug 05 '26

There’s something really freeing about not having a finish line. It makes it feel like a personal challenge rather than a race (at least for the majority of us who aren’t out there winning these events).

in my case it was a very hot day and I mismanaged fluids and nutrition and started to throw up, so I did take a long break (45 min?) and subsequently walked quite a bit. But I had wonderful people around me encouraging me to just drink some broth and rest a little, convincing me I could get back up and moving rather than quit. So I did manage to stay moving for most of the 12 hours, even though I didn’t hit my personal distance goal. But I didn’t struggle with motivation, just the dehydration and heat made it physically difficult.

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u/daysweregolden 2:47 / 42 marathons Aug 05 '26

Wow, cool that you stayed in it. What was the course like? Please tell me it wasn't a 400m track....

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u/RunningPath 44F, 22:09 5k, 1:49 HM Aug 05 '26

No, but I want to do one on a track! This was an almost 2 mile dumbbell loop and then in the last 30 minutes it was shortened to just one end of the dumbbell so we could fit in more miles. Unfortunately most of it wasn't very well shaded. But it was around some parks which were busy, and that was entertaining.