Cyclists with a "Running" Problem

[ScottCM]

I recall listening to a podcast with the Race Director of WSER and in there he mentioned that when UTMB came with their initial proposal, the WSER committee increased the field by "x amount (can't remember the exact figure but it was single digits)" of runners only to reduce it the following year again as they felt it was unsustainable. Their values are of sound mind and put runners first, not money. Their is something like 4 volunteers to every runner and this is a non negotiable ratio for the WSER committee.  

[ScottCM]

Anyone running MacMac this weekend?

[Shebeen]

41 minutes ago, ScottCM said:

I recall listening to a podcast with the Race Director of WSER and in there he mentioned that when UTMB came with their initial proposal, the WSER committee increased the field by "x amount (can't remember the exact figure but it was single digits)" of runners only to reduce it the following year again as they felt it was unsustainable. Their values are of sound mind and put runners first, not money. Their is something like 4 volunteers to every runner and this is a non negotiable ratio for the WSER committee.  

not sure about that. Field is limited to 369 runners. In 2025 9993 people applied through the lottery. You need to finish an ultra (100km+) just to get to this point.

 

Quote

Everything starts with this: Our permit with the U.S. Forest Service limits us to 369 runners. Why this odd number? In 1984, Congress enacted the California Wilderness Act, which created the Granite Chief Wilderness. The Western States Trail crosses the Granite Chief Wilderness, at about miles 6-10. Normally, organized events are not permitted in wilderness areas but, as Western States pre-existed the wilderness designation, we were able to get the race “grandfathered” into the legislation, with the proviso that we have no more runners than we had prior to the passage of the act. In 1984, it happened that there were 369 starters and that has been the magic number ever since.

 

[Irvin85]

I recently started training for my first marathon. I have done a couple of 21km races and triathlons(70.3) but no real urge to go beyond that. I don't know why I decided that I want to do it but I am 4 weeks in my training and starting to enjoy it but feeling it on my legs. 

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. 

Then one question: Anyone that used to use pronation shoes that went to a running orthotist and addressed the issue and is happily running with normal shoes now?(This question do not relate to myself)

[milky4130]

52 minutes ago, Irvin85 said:

I recently started training for my first marathon. I have done a couple of 21km races and triathlons(70.3) but no real urge to go beyond that. I don't know why I decided that I want to do it but I am 4 weeks in my training and starting to enjoy it but feeling it on my legs. 

 

what was your running like prior to starting this block of training for the marathon? Could it be you are running too fast & too far too soon? This a common mistake by cyclist as we are cardiovascular fit to go the distance at speed but our tendons, joints, ligaments & muscles not so ready yet. 

[Irvin85]

On 7/2/2025 at 2:28 PM, milky4130 said:

what was your running like prior to starting this block of training for the marathon? Could it be you are running too fast & too far too soon? This a common mistake by cyclist as we are cardiovascular fit to go the distance at speed but our tendons, joints, ligaments & muscles not so ready yet. 

I was running about once a week, 5km max. I am taking it slow, trying to build up the km's at first and trying to increase it by 10% per week. The furthest I have gone was 9km so far. Most of my runs is no longer than 30min at the moment. over the weekends I try to put in a longer run, up to an hour. 

 

[milky4130]

3 hours ago, Irvin85 said:

I was running about once a week, 5km max. I am taking it slow, trying to build up the km's at first and trying to increase it by 10% per week. The furthest I have gone was 9km so far. Most of my runs is no longer than 30min at the moment. over the weekends I try to put in a longer run, up to an hour. 

 

once a week was probably not enough to make that adaptations. 2-3 times a week would've been ideal. My body type is like that if I skip more than 1 run/gym session per week I know already after the next workout I'm going to feel it.

[SwissVan]

On 6/15/2025 at 2:08 PM, Sepia said:

This Comrades thing and not the 12 hour medal finish!

Personal opinion, tried and tested.  Not necessary to eat, drink lots of water and swallow a salt tab or two.  As for shoes - gym plimsolls will do.

 

What works for one does not work for all.

Personally I need to eat something, simple white bread toasted sandwiches with peanut butter and honey or just jam works for me.

Each person needs to try find what nutrition works for them in training 

[b-rad]

On 6/11/2025 at 11:11 PM, milky4130 said:

Biggest week was 139kms. Had a few >100km weeks. On par for a borderline silver, probably want 160kms weeks for a comfortable Sub 7:30

Congrats on your Comrades !!
I don’t really believe it’s necessary to hit those big weeks (160k area) for a silver (if you’re talking borderline silver). Unless you adapt well, and way more importantly can recover well, from those big weeks then maybe. Silver is quite achievable on around those 100km week range. 

[b-rad]

Was a tough day at Comrades. I’m sure any agree it was a challenging year. I put it down to being quite warm. There was no need really for warm clothes at the start line compared to other years, and the heat reflection off the roads was strong this year and the breeze definitely disguised how warm it was. Taking in those carbs can be difficult particularly when it’s hotter weather and one hasn’t trained the stomach for that. Although it was only once for myself, I know of many folk who had stomach issues with regular vomiting. It’s a real tough day out once that starts happening. Warm day, lots of carbs combo, or was it maybe dodgy water from some of the water sachets? 

Was telling a number of people how quite a few 10km and longer races run in similar temperatures in the Netherlands have been cancelled lately. 

Only a month late, sorry 😅

[milky4130]

31 minutes ago, b-rad said:

Congrats on your Comrades !!
I don’t really believe it’s necessary to hit those big weeks (160k area) for a silver (if you’re talking borderline silver). Unless you adapt well, and way more importantly can recover well, from those big weeks then maybe. Silver is quite achievable on around those 100km week range. 

Thanks & same to you too, yeah agree with the mileage & that is exactly how I managed it in 2024, but I didnt just want to be borderline this year, wanted a faster time +-7:15'ish/finish comfortably but I dont know how to control myself once the gun goes off.

 

21 minutes ago, b-rad said:

Was a tough day at Comrades. I’m sure any agree it was a challenging year. I put it down to being quite warm. There was no need really for warm clothes at the start line compared to other years, and the heat reflection off the roads was strong this year and the breeze definitely disguised how warm it was. Taking in those carbs can be difficult particularly when it’s hotter weather and one hasn’t trained the stomach for that. Although it was only once for myself, I know of many folk who had stomach issues with regular vomiting. It’s a real tough day out once that starts happening. Warm day, lots of carbs combo, or was it maybe dodgy water from some of the water sachets? 

Was telling a number of people how quite a few 10km and longer races run in similar temperatures in the Netherlands have been cancelled lately. 

Only a month late, sorry 😅

I only use Maurten a couple of times a year and that is on race day. No gut issues for me this year. Something I noticed the previous day was that all the sachets was delivered quite early already to their respective water points and it was laying in the sun all day, don't know if this could've contributed to the many people vomiting though.

[ScottCM]

16 hours ago, b-rad said:

Congrats on your Comrades !!
I don’t really believe it’s necessary to hit those big weeks (160k area) for a silver (if you’re talking borderline silver). Unless you adapt well, and way more importantly can recover well, from those big weeks then maybe. Silver is quite achievable on around those 100km week range. 

Thanks for this. Although way out of my league, I enjoy listening/reading how you fast-ies think and train. 

 

For the first time in my life, I'm currently on a 100k training week without a race in it. Granted 80% of my running is off road, but my legs are moer tired. Hats off to you guys that do this volume on a regular basis. 

[tjommies3]

Regarding the water possibly being the problem, if you consider how many people handle the sachets (with or without clean hands), you would probably have to carry your hydration instead. 

[Pieter-za]

On 7/10/2025 at 3:59 PM, milky4130 said:

Something I noticed the previous day was that all the sachets was delivered quite early already to their respective water points and it was laying in the sun all day, don't know if this could've contributed to the many people vomiting though.

Vomiting can be a symptom of both over- and dehydration as well. 

(PS - Experience has taught me -  if the water tastes off with the first small sip - spit out and discard.) 

I suppose products like Milton are still mixed in?

Edited July 15, 2025 by Pieter-za

[dave303e]

7 hours ago, tjommies3 said:

Regarding the water possibly being the problem, if you consider how many people handle the sachets (with or without clean hands), you would probably have to carry your hydration instead. 

Surely that is similar to the rat urine found on beer and fizzy drink cans. Not a major issue unless it is still wet/moist?

[ChrisF]

https://lifehacker.com/health/strava-dropping-training-plans