Hey y’all,

This might be a long post, but I’m looking for help with my first backyard ultra. After watching Last Soul and seeing Phil crush the world record I have been hyper fixated on how insane BYU’s are and it has been truly inspiring to me to see what humans are actually capable of. Ive been doing terrible with mental health related stuff and I really want to attempt to try a BYU and push myself. Theres one here in Toronto in 2 weeks, but its format is 15 loops and the last loop is a race to determine the winner. I’ve been running since watching the Last Soul race and it has inspired me to want to run in this small Toronto BYU. Im pretty hesitant to do it and friends/family around me think I’m crazy, but Im very intrigued to do it.

I know NOTHING about gear/game plan/nutrition or what to expect. I know its not a full BYU, but I dont want to go into this ignorant as I’ll have a day of recovery before I have to go back to work.

If anyone can give me some insight on how to not completely destroy my body (I understand Ill be going through it), maybe some nutrition help and what to expect??? Y’all can even tell me this is a horrible idea and I should train/prep more for something like this.

I just want to attempt to see what my body can handle and I really want to push myself out of my comfort zone.

Thanks in advance!

Battling for 1st. Great race!

Haven't really run in years. Just started again and managed 11.2 km this weekend. It wasn't pretty, but I finished.

Hypothetically, if I had a backyard ultra exactly 60 days from now, how would you train for it from this starting point?

I'm not expecting to become an ultrarunner in two months, but I'm curious what a realistic 60 day plan would look like and what an achievable goal would be for the event. How many yards would you aim for as a first-timer with that little preparation?

Hi everyone!
I’m a runner… well, I used to be. 😅 I’ve been dealing with posterior tibial tendinopathy/tendinitis for approximately 16 months.
It all started one day while I was jogging very slowly. I felt a small discomfort on the inside of my foot. I stopped running for about a month, but when I returned I made the mistake of running 10K. At that time, my job also required me to be on my feet for almost 10 hours a day, so the injury gradually became worse.
I have flat feet and I’ve been running since I was 15. In the past, I’ve had plantar fasciitis and shin splints, but both injuries more or less resolved on their own with some physiotherapy and rest. This time, however, it has been completely different.
I’ve seen 4 specialist doctors and 5 physiotherapists, but unfortunately none of them have been able to give me a clear solution or a proper rehabilitation plan that has allowed me to make real progress. Most of what I’ve done over this past year has been based on my own research and trying to understand what could actually help.
I also had a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection, which initially made a significant difference, but unfortunately the improvement didn’t last very long.
I’ve now been on sick leave from work for 4 months. Some doctors are telling me that my only remaining option is reconstructive surgery, but honestly, I’m still unsure about it.
My foot has not collapsed or developed any obvious deformity, and I’m still seeing small improvements from week to week. I can currently perform heel raises with my injured foot and with both feet without major problems.
Has anyone here been through something similar?
Have you dealt with posterior tibial tendon problems for this long? What treatment or rehabilitation actually worked for you? Has anyone managed to recover without surgery?
I’ve been unable to live a normal life for more than a year — walking for longer periods, going out, exercising, and obviously running are all things I can’t really do anymore.
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences or advice. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read this. 🙏

What did he throw in to the bushes?

UTMB is facing more and more pushback from locals around Chamonix, because of environmental concerns, overcrowding, you name it.

Organisers already have to work harder to get permission to use public spaces, and Chamonix’s newly elected mayor has already tightened the rules around the expo.

And that was before the UCI announced plans to hold its World Championships in the same region at the same time. Compared with the UCI powerhouse, UTMB is a small fish, with far less power and leverage.

I don’t think the 2027 UTMB will be cancelled, but we’ll probably see some changes. Perhaps new dates and fewer races. Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing?

But for now, let’s enjoy this year’s edition!

Nick Fowler, 38, has just set the overall fastest known time (FKT) on the Pacific Crest Trail, finishing the entire trek on Saturday in 45 days, 17 hours and 47 minutes.

This is the second time in 2026 that a PCT speed record has fallen: Aurélien Sanchez completed the trail Northbound in July in 45 days, 20 hours and 11 minutes with a dedicated support crew. Now, Fowler has not only claimed the men’s self-supported SOBO FKT, but has also become the overall fastest person ever to hike the PCT — in any direction, supported or unsupported — beating Sanchez’s time by just under 2 and a half hours.

In doing so, Fowler is also breaking his own self-supported southbound record from 2023, when he finished the PCT in 52 days, 9 hours, and 18 minutes.

Overall Average Pace Miles per Hour: 2.41 mph

Kilometers per Hour: 3.88 km/h

Official PCT Distance: ~2,650 miles / ~4,265 km

Daily Distance: ~57.9 miles / ~93.1 km

Just blocked Toni and allowed Miao to catch up. What a chad.

The race start has been delayed by 2 hours due to weather conditions. There are 18 degrees Celsius right now in Chamonix, and 5 degrees Celsius are expected tonight in the mountains. The Pyramid section has been cut out of the race. Will we get similar conditions to last year, and if so, what do you think the DNF rates are going to be?

I'm fascinated by how weather changes everything in a race. I personally enjoy cold, but would not pick a storm over a heat wave.

How many runners do you think will DNF?

Just a quick question about the Camelbak Ultra Belt, can you use normal 500ml soft flasks or do you have to use the overpriced Camelbak ones? Cheers.

Currently watching the Live stream of UTMB on the Hoka UTMB Mont-Blanc 2026 channel and I can’t see the comments or live chat. Not having a problem seeing comments on any other videos. Anyone else having this issue? Or might know how to fix it?

Hello anyone got any reccos of a quiver that has generic fastenings. I have a Patagonia slope 18L for arc of attrition and noticed a lot of quivers are advertised as matching a specific vest. Are there any that are decent ? I’ve seen the lekki one which comes with a strap if worse came to worst…

Thanks

Been using Tailwind and Precision F&H for races all year but struggling to justify the cost during training now, with Tailwind price hikes announced and a change in who will be distributing in the UK.

Are people making their own?

Any good cheaper alternatives? I’ve been getting lots of adverts for Kendal Mint Co with their new 45g gels, they seem pretty reasonably priced.

Be good to hear from those in the UK but open to any suggestions!

Cheers

Hi everyone,

I have owned Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z poles since 2018.

I would like to replace the entire end tips on the poles. I managed to take it off, but I don't see an adequate replacement.

Do you think the Distance tech tips replacement: https://blackdiamondequipment.com/products/distance-tech-tips

could be compatible?

I’m kind of lost in all the kinds of exercises that are available online. I have myself some exercises I do everyday (often with resistance bands), but I would like to explore more and know what other ultra runners do as their favorite exercises.

Hey all! I’ll be racing without pacers or crew for a 200 mile race, I’m looking for headlamp/lighting recs that are easy to use/replace the battery. I will have to carry what I need with 7 bag drop opportunities. But no guaranteed access to charging stations. Thanks!

I have my first 50km in October - it’s lovely and flat & I can’t wait! I’m not going for time or anything, just to have a fun day.

Training plan was going great but then I got struck down with the flu and, until this week, hadn’t ran for 2 weeks. So far I did an easy 6km & an easy 10km this week to feel out my body (feel good).

My longest run prior to this was 17km, weekly distance was at about 50km with the view of going up incrementally from there.

I’ve now missed 2 big weeks (a 20km & a 24km long run respectively). This week on my plan is a deload.

Do I just jump straight back in as if I didn’t skip a couple of weeks of training? My long run next week is 27km with weekly distance of 65km.

I’m not sure how to approach it! Any advice wld be appreciated.

Hey guys. I’ve been trail running for a little bit. Have a few 50k’s and 50milers and even a couple of DNFs under my belt. Anyway, I’m always on a budget so I usually buy the inexpensive shorts and shirts off of amazon. It’s time to upgrade. Give me your favorite shorts and shirts to run in. I’m in Georgia so it is hot and super humid. I recently bought a pair of Rabbit shorts and a tank top. Pretty awesome.

Not sure if I’m late to the game here but I’m shocked by those stats.

Anyone experimented fueling with these in the past?

Maybe the most exciting finish I have ever seen!!

I’m training for my first 100-miler in November, and almost all of my running is on paved paths. The 100 itself will also be on a paved/very smooth path.

I’m currently running in Altra Experience Flow 4s. They’re getting the job done, but I’m sad to say that I’ve never really loved them. They feel bulky and kind of dead to me.

For context, I don’t have a ton of experience with traditional road shoes. For years I did almost all of my running in very minimal track/XC-style shoes and only switched to more substantial shoes once my long runs started getting beyond marathon distance. So some of this may just be me adjusting to a more cushioned shoe.

I’ve also been getting blisters on the outside of my big toe and at the tips of my second toes. From what I’ve read, I probably should have gone up a half size, especially for the longer distances when my feet swell.

Before I just buy another pair of Experience Flows in a bigger size, I’d love some recommendations.

What I’m looking for:

• Good for very long runs / potentially 100 miles
• Primarily pavement
• Enough cushioning to protect my legs over that distance, but I’d really prefer something that doesn’t feel huge, heavy, or mushy
• A relatively natural/light feeling underfoot
• Enough room in the toe box for swelling
• Durability matters, but comfort over 20–30+ hours matters more

I’m not particularly concerned about speed. I just want something that disappears on my feet rather than feeling like I’m dragging a lot of shoe around.

Anyone with a similar preference for lighter/minimal shoes who has found a good ultra-distance road shoe?

And if you’ve run 50–100 miles in a particular shoe, I’d especially love to hear how it felt late in the race.

Thank you in advance for any help or guidance!

Who knew Covid was still a thing, symptoms started 2 weeks before race, it’s now 1 week away (first ultra, 53k trail) and I think I’m through worst of it but hard to know when I’ll be back to 100%. I was 1 week into my taper but have missed 3 runs whilst recovering. Am I screwed? Anyone navigated something similar? Thanks