I was a Steeple, 5K, 10K in college and progressed up to the marathons after school. I never ran super fast, but broke 2:30 on a few occasions. Once I hit 30 years old, I just started to enjoy racing less and less. I still run a lot, but I just don't really like the paces associated with trying to win. It doesn't feel the same to me anymore. It is hard to explain. I used to love gutting it out, but now it just isn't as enjoyable to me. I don't feel fast and it seems awkward. Also, running fast always seems to come with two days of stomach issues and an afternoon in bed. That said, I can run 6:00-6:30 pace all day long, no problem.
I am wondering if I might be better suited for an ultra now that I am in my late 30s. I would like to continue to compete, and I don't really care about the ultra stigma now that I am older. At the end of the day, if I am going to feel like hell after a race, I would rather it be due to running 50k or 50 miles than running a relatively crappy time in a half-marathon or 10k. Furthermore, based on my training, I think I would feel better running 50K at 7 minute pace than 10K at 5:30 pace.
Anyone transition from actual road and track racing to the ultras and feel good about it?