Shortcut for 50K

I can tell you that there is absolutely no short cuts when it comes to training for the sport of running. The sooner you realize this the better. If you focus on true aerobic work (actually jogging) you will reap benefits for trail ultras much more than if you wear yourself out doing harder higher intensity runs.

That being said, there is a shortcut to running a 50k. It's literally taking a shortcut. Look at the course map, find 2 points that are closer geographically, with no mountains in-between them, than they are on the course. You then follow the shortest route distance wise between these two points, rather than running the course.

I hope this helps!

If you get really good at hiking, you can run 25k and hike it in under the cutoff

Study up on my run across america.

rob

You can probably do it. Having the course be on trails, and if you have the ability to train on trails, that will help you.

My recommendation would be to keep your normal runs just where they are right now, then one day a week push out your long run. Go steady and easy, and don't be afraid to hike sometimes as you might need to do that in the race. It will also keep you going slower and make injury less likely.

If that 25k run felt pretty good, then spend the next 12 weeks adding on to that. You won't need to add on every single week, and you should probably take a few steps back, too. But you might do something like this for long runs:

25k

28k

20k

25k

28k

30k

20k

28k

35k

25k

20k

race

Build a little, then step back. Build some more, then step back. Keep your easy runs easy and maybe to some strength work if you are not already.