Ultra newbie - Vermont 50?

Considering doing my first Ultra at the Vermont 50 this September. I am a bit nervous to try my first on such a hilly course. Or at least what seems to be hilly. Has any one done this race? Would you recommend it for a newbie? I think there are 8900 total vertical.

I have run 3 marathons, my latest in november in 3:09. I just feel like slowing down, going longer, and getting off the roads! It's late May now, I am doing around 35 miles a week as base. Need to decide soon if I want to sign up for this one becuase I assume I should really be piling on the miles -- and doing it on hilly trails. Any thoughts, ideas, wishes are always welcome.

Any other 50 miler suggestions would be welcome as well. I am trying to stay somewhat local to the New England States. Thanks again!

Scott

Go for it!3

Go for it!3

3.09 is fast to me.I would say add on mucho miles and slow down for your training.And while I am at it run the hills turning training but walk them on race day.Have fun talk to other runners.8900 is hilly,but 4450 of that is downhill right?
Remember what Walt Stack would say "Start Slow and Taper Off"

Another race you might consider--although it is in the Mid-Atlantic, rather than New England--is the JFK 50-miler in Hagerstown, MD. It's a relatively non-technical 50-miler without much elevation change, a good 50 for first-timers. Only the first 15 miles are on technical trails, and the next 27 are on a dirt tow-path that follows the B&O canal; the final 8 are on roads. As a speedy 3:09 marathoner, you could probably expect to finish in under 10 hours.

Possibly the only negative about the race is that it's the nation's largest ultra, with about 1100 runners. If you're looking for a more prototypical ultra experience with fewer runners and more challenging terrain, try Vermont.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Yes, I have considered the JFK 50 Miler as it sounded fairly flat. Good point about the amount of runners, 1100 - wow! I'd like to find out more about it, but their web site doesn't have much other then race results. http://www.jfk50mile.org/ Like what is teh cost, course description, etc. Maybe I am missing something on their site.

Thanks again!

There will probably be more information posted on the website when registration officially opens on 01 July. I ran it 3 years ago, and at the time the cost was $85. That's pretty cheap considering that a lot of marathons--the Marine Corps, for instance--have entry fees of $100. And with this you get almost 25 more miles!

1100 is a lot for an ultra, but there are large crowds (for an ultra) which help to cheer and motivate you as you hit those late miles. Moreover, because it's a 50-mile point-to-point course, there's plenty of room for runners to spread out. You never feel closed in when you're on the towpath. The only exception to that is on the singletrack portion of the first 15 mies of the Appalachian Trail; though it's not crowded, it's difficult to pass people because of the terrain.

You can always google the race and see what race reports you find until more info is posted on the website. Or you can pick my brain, if you fancy. I'm more than happy to talk ultras!