I have ( rather foolishly) booked in to do this extreme marathon on the 3rd December, so I have under 3 months to train:
endurancelife.com/event-new...
Any advice on training would be very much appreciated.
I think I must be nuts but I'm secretly quite excited at the challenge!!
Bloody Hell JJ, that's a lot of elevation you'll have to contend with! Mind you, if anyone can do it, you can. I reckon your normal trail is as good a preparation as anyone can have. Some of your runs would make a grown man weep. Looks to me like that race will be all about strength and determination, and you have them both. Good luck, Sweetie, you can do it xx
Thankyou, I can't help thinking I've bitten off a bit more than I should have this time!!!
I did this one in 2014, it was my first marathon.
This one is 28.5 miles so a bit more milage to contend with.
It is very hilly. I hadn't anticipated this, hadn't really done the necessary training.
If you are not already I would get into hill work as the bulk of your training plan.
There is 4,500 foot of elevation on this race, there are very few flat stretches, its mostly up or down.
Find the biggest hills in your area and incorporate them into your runs, would ideally just loop up and down them.
If you are a gym member I would advise doing some strength training for climbing. Not essential if you can get enough hills into your training, but will make life easier.
On your final long run, a 22 miler would be good, due to the extra 2.5 miles in this race. It is technically an ultra-marathon.
Also, the race is one of two halves. The second half is more difficult, its more hilly. Some big ones to contend with out towards Kimmerage bay.
You will need to be self-sufficient with your food as there is just basics at the aid stations. Water, jelly beans occasionally some bananas.
This is however an exceptionally beautiful area, the scenery here was amazing. I found the race a very rewarding experience. I will never forget the final descent down into Lulworth Cove knowing the finish was within reach.
Have fun x
Hi Dave this is really helpful, I have been trying to find blogs of people that have done it before. Luckily I do run a lot of hills as I mostly run on trails in the woods where I live, however I'm going to struggle to train up to that elevation!!! I did a HM distance on my trail today and covered 1396 feet of elevation but realised after I need to find some bigger hills to train on as that's nothing like what I will be doing. I'm going to start a body pump class at the gym, continue running daily and doing my push ups to get my core stronger. The main reason I want to do it as I love the coast and the views... It will be a huge challenge!!! I bet you are so glad you did it and everything else must have been easier after?!!!
No problem, glad it is of some use.
As you already run trails and hills this will work well in your favour.
Probably the best bit of advice is don't worry about time on this one. Take it easy, especially in the first half. Enjoy the scenery. Walk where necessary.
The weather can be adverse at times. Last year the race was in the middle of storm Desmond, so if you haven't already may be an idea to look at waterproofs just in-case the weather turns for the worst.
Yes was glad to complete this one, did make me want to do a lot more of this kind of thing.
Wow and wow again! That's amazing. I am sure you can do it. Hill practice is the way to go. Also I would agree with @davemars on strength training if you aren't already. Core and hip stability - lunges etc. Can't wait to hear the updates!
Ah yes lunges good idea, I need to do some strength stuff daily I think?? Thankyou!
Oh how exciting. Rather you than me mate but you can do,it. All those hills you slog up and down everyday will hold you in good stead, but even bigger ones are calling you now. My mate says it takes her 4 months to train for a marathon, but you are running all the time so you have stolen a march on other runners by being in a state of preparedness already. You have the running vest and the legs, the head, the panther-like stealth and GUTS. Nah, nay worries. It's in the bag 😊
Doing a race will bring focus to your training, something to aim for and i think we all need that. A reason to turn out even when we don't quite want to.
I have been to Lulworth and it is very beautiful around there. It's gonna be steep!
So, has training begun yet? Keep us posted.
I will post my progress... I'm a bit scared if I'm honest. However I run everyday, I'm going to up the strength stuff in the gym and I average just under 30 miles a week but realise I will be upping that a lot. I ran a HM today on my trail with 1400 feet of elevation. I enjoyed it but that was tough. I have a long way to reach the elevation goal!!!
No problem at all glad that its helpful
ont worry about time on this one. Take it easy, especially on the first half. Enjoy the scenery. There is a time cutoff at the 18 mile point for anybody who doesnt look like they would make it back before dark. Nothing to worry about, its pretty generous.
Yes it was a great feeling finishing this one, made me want to do a lot more of this kind of race.
ouch, I have a feeling I am going to take at least 6 hours... I hope they don't cut me off.... I definitely prefer anything trail even though its harder!!
The cutoff is for people who wouldn't make it back to Lulworth Cove before dark. It gets dark at around 5pm if I remember rightly, so the cutoff is around 3pm I think, to allow 2 hours to get back. That leaves roughly 8 hours to get the the cutoff, so its pretty generous. Unless walking the majority of the route, its unlikely to be a concern. Would have liked to do it again this year but Bovington race the week after.
Oh, my word ju-ju! That looks amazing and Lulworth Cove and the Jurrassic coastline is one of my favourite places! I'm afraid I am totally unable to give you any tips on something that is way beyond my running capabilities but I wish you tons of luck in your training and think you're gonna totally love it!!😀
I'm doing the Beachy Head marathon at the end of October as my first marathon, so I'm feeling a little crazy and scared too - although mostly just really looking forward to it 
My main focus has been to get up on the South Downs Way (I live in Hove) every week to practice the elevation and rugged paths, and to accept that I'll be doing a fair bit of walking! So I've been getting used to switching pace, and in the next three weeks my longest runs will be realllllly slow, like 6 hours plus, to practice spending a heck of a long time on my feet. A day out with a picnic lunch! All good fun 
Oh and get some training done in windy weather, it's very likely to be horribly windy on race day 
All this is of course is untested until the end of October...
Your plans sound excellent, and I bet that marathon will be superb... Yes wind and rain could be a real challenge!!!! Good luck!!
Thank you! And the same to you. You enjoy this sort of running so you'll smash it! And speaking of weather, a friend told me he did the Beachy Head with a massive grin all over his face, despite the howling wind
I'm looking forward very much to hearing how you get on with your race - I'm pretty keen on that one myself... maybe next year...
Your mental, its not even a marathon, its more then a marathon!
But good luck your be great, you could go out and do it today if you wanted you that well prepared.
Haha, only just seeing this. Trust you to go for an extreme one straight away! Feeling slightly guilty for sending that link, but I really hope you have a great time!! Enjoy your training.
Can't help with tips - but good on you!!!
This looks amazing, the sort of thing you remember for a lifetime. Good luck with your training - it'll give you a great focus and something to really look forward to. How exciting!
BTW, please please please do this ultramarathon in red lipstick. You will become my hero for ever.
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