Great article by Geoff Roes on why "elite" ultrarunners don't last in the sport

Geoff is probably right, but there are some people who have incredible recovery times like Mike Wardian and Yuki Kawauchi

Good article. Ultra is, perhaps, the most difficult sport on the planet.

I disagree- the marathon is the most difficult.

Opinion before reading article = Ultras are usually raced on softer terrain, whether it be through trails or dirt. Also, they are at a lower intensity.

I will now read the article.

If you're capable of running a 2:20 marathon, you could theoretically run 2:40 every month without destroying yourself. Likewise, if you're somebody like Killian Jornet and are far better than anyone else in just about any ultra race, you can run a controlled pace and win without over-exerting yourself. Elite marathoners can't run controlled and contend for the win as the rest of the field is just too talented

Craig Lutz fan wrote:

Opinion before reading article = Ultras are usually raced on softer terrain, whether it be through trails or dirt. Also, they are at a lower intensity.

I will now read the article.

My previous posts support people able to last longer in ultras vs marathon, 10k, 1500, etc.

This is a great article. I think another reason ultra runers don't last as long just could be the mental drag of training so many miles, and seeing the financial payout as not worth it. I'm assuming there isn't very much money in the sport. Correct?

Anyways much respect to the runners. It's definitely not my cup of tea. Cheers!

Don't confuse elite with "elite".

Gotta' agree with you, George Z. I just did a rough count and Roes ran around 7 or 8 100 milers from 2009 - 2011 (with most being in 2010 & 11). He also ran other races! This will lay you out sooner or later, I've no doubt. It's too bad, because he was a helluva' racer.

George Z wrote:

Check it out. My opinion is that they race way too often. If Meb only runs 2 marathons a year and a couple of shorter tune up races why do ultra runners think they can run multiple 100s, a couple of 50s, and a bunch of 50ks in a single year?

http://www.irunfar.com/2015/05/peak-performance.html#idc-container

The reason why marathoners don´t race very often is one: impact shock. Ultra runners often run on soft surfaces.

well,. wrote:

George Z wrote:

Check it out. My opinion is that they race way too often. If Meb only runs 2 marathons a year and a couple of shorter tune up races why do ultra runners think they can run multiple 100s, a couple of 50s, and a bunch of 50ks in a single year?

http://www.irunfar.com/2015/05/peak-performance.html#idc-container

The reason why marathoners don´t race very often is one: impact shock. Ultra runners often run on soft surfaces.

They still accumulate just as much if not more due to the lengthy downhills and sheer number of footstrikes.

shocking truth wrote:

well,. wrote:

The reason why marathoners don´t race very often is one: impact shock. Ultra runners often run on soft surfaces.

They still accumulate just as much if not more due to the lengthy downhills and sheer number of footstrikes.

Maybe. It is hard to say because pace also has a huge influence. Reality is that most marathoners don't have long careers either. Even the ones only running or 2/yr. The start out have 2-3 good years early and then struggle to get close to those times. You tend to remember the ones that last rather than the ones that don't.

Geoff Roes is an odd guy. He had some success and then disappeared and it could be due to any number of reasons.His diet, his relationship with his woman, his compulsion to train without proper recovery, etc....it could be anything.There are dozens, nay hundreds, of less famous ultra runners in Europe and Asia who run more than Geoff does and do not burn out.

George Z wrote:

Check it out. My opinion is that they race way too often. If Meb only runs 2 marathons a year and a couple of shorter tune up races why do ultra runners think they can run multiple 100s, a couple of 50s, and a bunch of 50ks in a single year?

http://www.irunfar.com/2015/05/peak-performance.html#idc-container

kasueydj wrote:if you're somebody like Killian Jornet and are far better than anyone else in just about any ultra race he chooses to enter, you can run a controlled pace and win without over-exerting yourself. Elite marathoners can't run controlled and contend for the win as the rest of the field is just too talented

Jornet is good at preserving his image by choosing races that he can excel in. Which is actually the opposite of what the article suggests. Maybe he can sustain his career longer than other people by refusing to race 100k road or Comrades...

Ummm, ultras are usually on uneven, dusty, rocky terrain that loves to twist your ankles, and running even pace is not possible--hills, dales and creeks.

Craig Lutz fan wrote:

Opinion before reading article = Ultras are usually raced on softer terrain, whether it be through trails or dirt. Also, they are at a lower intensity.

I will now read the article.

Is this now more true in ultras than it was 10-15 years ago? More money in the sport - more competition. Jurek won the WS 100 seven years in a row. Possible to do that today?

I read the article. I didn't get really it. Haven't Rob K., Sage Canaday and Max King have been dominant at ultras for a very long time and still are? Quite famous too, still winning runs?

I also thought the comparison of the 100 to the 800 to compare 50k to 100milers not the best analogy. 100m is 100% anaerobic while the 800 is what 70%. The 50k is what 99.99% aerobic and the 100 miler would be what 99.999%?