3 ms·

The reward of an ultramarathon is doing something you (and many other people) don't think you can do. It's "fun".

justinwp 3y ago
Yeah, I just completed a 100 mile ultramarathon where over half of the starters didn't finish. I was miserable (heat, blisters, quads busted from downhills), but right now I am trying to fill in the rest of the year with similar events!
- brantonb 3y ago
  I did two long training days in Cool this past weekend, on some of the same trails as Canyons the week before. High temperatures were in the low 50°s. Y’all got really unlucky with the heat. That DNF rate was brutal — congrats on getting a finish!
tootie 3y ago
I superficially understand why people enjoy it, I just can't relate. It doesn't sound fun at all. Sounds like masochism.
- qumpis 3y ago
  Yes, to me too. I of course admire people who can push themselves this hard. Does the reward only come after the racing? In the memory, accomplishment? Seems like many runners are academic and high-achievers in different fields, who're able to carry out long-term projects - I wonder how these traits in career and hobby of running relate
  - jebarker 3y ago
    > Does the reward only come after the racing? In the memory, accomplishment? I started our ultra running because I wanted the achievements. That would never have sustained me doing it over the long term though. Eventually I learned to slow down a bit during the races so that it was less of a sufferfest and I could enjoy them more in the moment. Now just being "out there" is the reward.
- RankingMember 3y ago
  Have you tried it? "Runner's high" is a real thing.
brantonb 3y ago
> It’s “fun”. Type 2 fun is my favorite way of describing it. Usually starts with good intentions, it’s miserable while it’s happening, but afterwards the mind convinces itself that the experience was enjoyable. https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/fun-scale https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/fun-scale

Yeah, I just completed a 100 mile ultramarathon where over half of the starters didn't finish. I was miserable (heat, blisters, quads busted from downhills), but right now I am trying to fill in the rest of the year with similar events!

brantonb 3y ago
I did two long training days in Cool this past weekend, on some of the same trails as Canyons the week before. High temperatures were in the low 50°s. Y’all got really unlucky with the heat. That DNF rate was brutal — congrats on getting a finish!

tootie 3y ago

I superficially understand why people enjoy it, I just can't relate. It doesn't sound fun at all. Sounds like masochism.

qumpis 3y ago
Yes, to me too. I of course admire people who can push themselves this hard. Does the reward only come after the racing? In the memory, accomplishment? Seems like many runners are academic and high-achievers in different fields, who're able to carry out long-term projects - I wonder how these traits in career and hobby of running relate
- jebarker 3y ago
  > Does the reward only come after the racing? In the memory, accomplishment? I started our ultra running because I wanted the achievements. That would never have sustained me doing it over the long term though. Eventually I learned to slow down a bit during the races so that it was less of a sufferfest and I could enjoy them more in the moment. Now just being "out there" is the reward.
RankingMember 3y ago
Have you tried it? "Runner's high" is a real thing.

brantonb 3y ago

> It’s “fun”. Type 2 fun is my favorite way of describing it. Usually starts with good intentions, it’s miserable while it’s happening, but afterwards the mind convinces itself that the experience was enjoyable. https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/fun-scale https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/fun-scale