Want to run a 50k? Need a program to help get you there? Check us out in my program, The Lyss Method. We have running programs for every level to get you started on your running journey, including a 50k Beginner program! www.thelyssmethod.com/
Thank you for posting this, lots of great info. I’m 60 years old and currently in week 14/26 training program for a 50km this Oct. what you stated with regard to it being okay to feel not ready - I deferred this 50k from last year because I knew I wasn’t ready. Up to this point I’ve learned so much about recovery, nutrition, strength training, limitations, etc., but most of all I’ve learned to LOVE the process.
learning to love the process is KEY! If you haven't yet, you may love some of my return to ultra videos from last year and my chats about my return post injury where i emphasise this a ton!
Great tips, thanks for the video! Just finished my first 50k trail solo run 3 weeks ago and basically fumbled my way though everything you mentioned above from my own research. Wish I saw this video beforehand as It would have given me more confidence going into it haha
Thats why im here, sorry the video was out past when you needed it in the grand scheme of things, but hopefully for the next one it can help you feel more confident!
Can definitely vouch for how helpful the TLM coach’s are at planning a path for running. I’m finishing up Beginner 5K now and will move into Intermediate 5K in 2 weeks to prep for a trail 5K in October!
THANK YOU for this video!! Mere mortal here taking the long term approach 🤣 Doing my first half Aug 4th all via TLM! Long term goal is 2 1/2 years a specific 6 day hike I want to run. A self supported 30th birthday adventure. So everything I do now is a build out (1/2 marathon, beginner 50 km, base build, repeat) + keep lifting with perform. This video is super helpful and makes it super realistic. It takes so much time + energy to do all of these fun things.
I'm just now getting fully into hybrid training and my current goal is a competitive trail half- marathon. That said, these ultra distances are the ultimate goal! This video is motivating and full of incredible tips!
I’ve run ultras before but took two years off for a lot of reasons and I’m just getting back in, this video was especially helpful even though I’m not brand new! Thank you!
This really helped keep things in perspective. It had me look again at my training plan and reevaluate what I need to work on. I am at marathon distances this year and hope to run my first 50k next year.
Great advice, it takes lots of time and it is demanding on the body and on your free time. I look at the long run as the "Dress Rehearsal" for the race. It helps me mentally prepare for the hours I am about to spend on my feet and embrace anything that might go wrong. My first ultra was last year I peaked at 22 miles but I was just focused on completing the distance so my body could experience a new peak training mileage before I tapered. I had already ran multiple marathons before deciding to do an ultra and my normal peak mileage was 18 miles, so 22 give me a good confidence boost. I would love to do another ultra but I'm not ready for the training demand yet. Maybe next year! I'll focus on shorter distances for now.
Yep just acknowledging its VERY time demanding and understanding that before going in is key! I took a few years off ultra distance races while finishing my phd/starting my postdoc for this reason. And yep, its very much so more about practice and being on your feet than really any major training for most of it!
Such a helpful and informative video, thank you so much, Lyss! Also, thanks for acknowledging that trail running can be really challenging, especially when first starting out! Last year I started to get back into running with TLM alongside Perform and began with the 10k plan, then transitioned to the beginner 13.1 plan and felt so prepared for the half marathon race I ran earlier in the spring. I signed up for a 10k trail race on a whim last month and was totally hooked and soon after signed up for a 30k in November! I'm currently in the intermediate 13.1 intermediate running training plan and will be switching to the 25-30k training plan in a few weeks. I'm already looking forward to signing up and training for a 50k! I actually watched this video again because I was feeling so good about my current training I thought - maybe I'll just switch my 30k race to the 50k option in November! This was a much needed reality check for me. It makes such a difference building up that running base foundation, and I know I want to feel GOOD and as prepared as possible in my races and that's something that's not worth rushing (but happy I'm feeling so prepared for my upcoming race).
Such a helpful video! I’m just getting back to running after a long time off and this makes me so excited to keep progressing and maybe someday do as much as a 50k!!
This was another video packed with so much helpful information for assessing where I am currently and where I need to be to achieve my goals well/comfortably/sustainably. I’m more than happy to take the long, slow route if it’s more likely to get me across the finish line happier (and in one piece)!😆
Listening to this is building my confidence in how my training is going! Just coming off back to back 50 mile weeks. Feeling strong and confident (for now at least!). I'll be running Pine Creek Challenge 50 miler.
I’ll be going into a 50k with not nearly enough running mileage. I may be able to make it up to what’s normally required but most likely not. I’ve done two 50km ultras with minimal training but had an ok running base. That was almost 6 years ago. This year I’ll be going into it stronger than I’ve ever been because I’ve been religious with the strength training. I’ve started making up for the lack of running with indoor rowing and cycling. It’s made a huge difference to my ability to run. I was stuck in a rut with a chronic calf injury where I’d feel like my calves were going to blow up after 800m of running. Tweaked a few things and voila, my calves are pain free! Just got to get that mileage up as much as I can without sacrificing my body to another injury. An ultra is as much of a mind game as a physical game, if not more so. It’s also so important to stay on top of nutrition and hydration.
I'm a fan of overall fitness... it sounds like you've got that in spades!! If always rather hot the start slightly under trained than overtrained. You've got this!
When I trained for a 5k race, I accumulated up to 30k per week (a long run between 10 to 15k plus 3 times 5 to 6k). So from my experience it makes a lot of sense to start with a lower goal and you will automatically get into a position, where a 10k or a half marathon is also possible. And you can raise your goals later on. Regards.
Only achieved a 5K so far but a girl can dream 😂 Endure was really helpful so I now where to look if I want to make those dreams a reality including all your videos I’ve bookmarked
This is really helpful. Thank you for all you share across your platforms. How do 4 road marathons, lots of half marathons, and 9 years of consistent running under my belt translate as cumulative build up? The only time off has been downtime between races and just general periodization. I have my eye on a 50k in 2026.
I greatly respect your knowledge and experience... but there's a sub group of us out there who want to do our ultras, with the sub-par training and prep our lives enable us to invest. It's not that you should give up on or delay ultras if you can't meet these training goals... it's that you need to figure out how to meet your goal with the resources you've got. I've done a handful of 50ks and trail marathons with a long run of 12 miles, and peak training weeks between 25-30 miles. At the start line, i often meet a handful of people with similar training. We all usually finish. I use trail races as long runs. I get hours of time on feet every single day with my work, along with strength training. I hike a big mountain once a month. Not ideal training, but great overall fitness. Others run around parks during kids ball games, or get most of their runs on a treadmill. I'll never stand on a podium, or break any records. But I still get to run 2-4 ultras every year, injury free, having a blast, creating experiences and friendships... it adds so much to my life, and I'd miss all of it if i were to say "I'm just too busy to train" etc. Your way is undoubtedly the best way... but it's not the only way to be a part of this awesome sport.
@@Kelly_Ben hey Kelly. I hope you didn’t get the impression at any point I shamed anyone in this sport. I’m here to give people good solid training advice, that is my platform, and what people follow me are here for. I’m a massive cheerleader of the sport and getting more people into trail running. But It is okay if not 100% of what I share applies to you. Or we can recognize that at the end of the day we are adults with autonomy who are free to do what we want. I nor anyone else can stop you from running an ultra on even 0 miles a week. It sounds like you’re are doing a lot of things i am even suggesting to do here. Lots of time on feet, consistent mileage, 30 mile weeks, lifting to compliment it, etc. Luckily ultras at least 50ks are less impacting than road marathons so have more grace to finish with a good bit of walking, hiking or less impact. I’m not sure if you’re projecting your own frustration with this comment or trying to lecture me on my content- I’m sure it’s well intended. But at the end of the day my job here is to share the best info I can, mixed with my coaching experience, to help people get to their goals in a smart and safe way. You’re totally free to take or leave it if you don’t want to follow this advice. I work incredibly hard here to share so much of my own “imperfect” training, treadmill miles, doing what I can when I can, helpful tips, etc. I’m here to help, and I can’t make anyone including you do, use or apply anything I share. I’m Glad you found something that works for you 🤘🏻
I have no idea why people waste so much time training. It took me 4 weeks to train for my first marathon and finished in a little under 4 hours. I have 6 weeks until my 50k and today is day 1 of training.
Want to run a 50k? Need a program to help get you there? Check us out in my program, The Lyss Method. We have running programs for every level to get you started on your running journey, including a 50k Beginner program! www.thelyssmethod.com/
Thank you for posting this, lots of great info. I’m 60 years old and currently in week 14/26 training program for a 50km this Oct. what you stated with regard to it being okay to feel not ready - I deferred this 50k from last year because I knew I wasn’t ready. Up to this point I’ve learned so much about recovery, nutrition, strength training, limitations, etc., but most of all I’ve learned to LOVE the process.
learning to love the process is KEY! If you haven't yet, you may love some of my return to ultra videos from last year and my chats about my return post injury where i emphasise this a ton!
Great tips, thanks for the video! Just finished my first 50k trail solo run 3 weeks ago and basically fumbled my way though everything you mentioned above from my own research. Wish I saw this video beforehand as It would have given me more confidence going into it haha
Thats why im here, sorry the video was out past when you needed it in the grand scheme of things, but hopefully for the next one it can help you feel more confident!
What elevation did you have to contend with? Congrats on the 50k!
@@doclyssfitness haha no worries!
@@garydrainville3986 1300m elevation gain
Can definitely vouch for how helpful the TLM coach’s are at planning a path for running. I’m finishing up Beginner 5K now and will move into Intermediate 5K in 2 weeks to prep for a trail 5K in October!
thank you so much sarah!!! Were stoked for you!
THANK YOU for this video!! Mere mortal here taking the long term approach 🤣 Doing my first half Aug 4th all via TLM!
Long term goal is 2 1/2 years a specific 6 day hike I want to run. A self supported 30th birthday adventure.
So everything I do now is a build out (1/2 marathon, beginner 50 km, base build, repeat) + keep lifting with perform.
This video is super helpful and makes it super realistic. It takes so much time + energy to do all of these fun things.
love the long term goal plannnnning!!!! You know in TLM we love that hahaha. Love this plan! And it really does but is also so worth it!
As trail running has taken off on social media, this video was such a good reality check on how to do it safely!
All about safe progressions!! Yes!
I'm just now getting fully into hybrid training and my current goal is a competitive trail half- marathon. That said, these ultra distances are the ultimate goal! This video is motivating and full of incredible tips!
Great to hear you're working your way up to the ultra distances and have fun with your trail halfs!
I’ve run ultras before but took two years off for a lot of reasons and I’m just getting back in, this video was especially helpful even though I’m not brand new! Thank you!
Love to hear this! Welcome back. 👋
This really helped keep things in perspective. It had me look again at my training plan and reevaluate what I need to work on. I am at marathon distances this year and hope to run my first 50k next year.
I am really glad this info was helpful and that you were able to use it to support your training pipeline!
Great advice, it takes lots of time and it is demanding on the body and on your free time. I look at the long run as the "Dress Rehearsal" for the race. It helps me mentally prepare for the hours I am about to spend on my feet and embrace anything that might go wrong. My first ultra was last year I peaked at 22 miles but I was just focused on completing the distance so my body could experience a new peak training mileage before I tapered. I had already ran multiple marathons before deciding to do an ultra and my normal peak mileage was 18 miles, so 22 give me a good confidence boost. I would love to do another ultra but I'm not ready for the training demand yet. Maybe next year! I'll focus on shorter distances for now.
Yep just acknowledging its VERY time demanding and understanding that before going in is key! I took a few years off ultra distance races while finishing my phd/starting my postdoc for this reason. And yep, its very much so more about practice and being on your feet than really any major training for most of it!
I am currently training to become better at running half marathons. Hope someday I'll watch this video as I'm prepping for a long distance!
Heck yeah! Crush your half marathons. :)
Such a helpful and informative video, thank you so much, Lyss! Also, thanks for acknowledging that trail running can be really challenging, especially when first starting out! Last year I started to get back into running with TLM alongside Perform and began with the 10k plan, then transitioned to the beginner 13.1 plan and felt so prepared for the half marathon race I ran earlier in the spring. I signed up for a 10k trail race on a whim last month and was totally hooked and soon after signed up for a 30k in November!
I'm currently in the intermediate 13.1 intermediate running training plan and will be switching to the 25-30k training plan in a few weeks. I'm already looking forward to signing up and training for a 50k! I actually watched this video again because I was feeling so good about my current training I thought - maybe I'll just switch my 30k race to the 50k option in November! This was a much needed reality check for me. It makes such a difference building up that running base foundation, and I know I want to feel GOOD and as prepared as possible in my races and that's something that's not worth rushing (but happy I'm feeling so prepared for my upcoming race).
Perfect timing because I am beginning to think about ultra training! Thanks for the info!
@@GlamKitten88 glad it was helpful! If you need help with training for your goal we’d love to help: thelyssmethod.com
Such a helpful video! I’m just getting back to running after a long time off and this makes me so excited to keep progressing and maybe someday do as much as a 50k!!
This was another video packed with so much helpful information for assessing where I am currently and where I need to be to achieve my goals well/comfortably/sustainably. I’m more than happy to take the long, slow route if it’s more likely to get me across the finish line happier (and in one piece)!😆
Listening to this is building my confidence in how my training is going! Just coming off back to back 50 mile weeks. Feeling strong and confident (for now at least!). I'll be running Pine Creek Challenge 50 miler.
I'll be doing my first 50k next year so this is great information to have!
I’ll be going into a 50k with not nearly enough running mileage. I may be able to make it up to what’s normally required but most likely not. I’ve done two 50km ultras with minimal training but had an ok running base. That was almost 6 years ago. This year I’ll be going into it stronger than I’ve ever been because I’ve been religious with the strength training. I’ve started making up for the lack of running with indoor rowing and cycling. It’s made a huge difference to my ability to run. I was stuck in a rut with a chronic calf injury where I’d feel like my calves were going to blow up after 800m of running. Tweaked a few things and voila, my calves are pain free! Just got to get that mileage up as much as I can without sacrificing my body to another injury. An ultra is as much of a mind game as a physical game, if not more so. It’s also so important to stay on top of nutrition and hydration.
I'm a fan of overall fitness... it sounds like you've got that in spades!! If always rather hot the start slightly under trained than overtrained. You've got this!
This is so helpful! Thank you for all your knowledge
Excellent informative video Doc! We all need to remember, it even goes wrong for the pros sometimes too.
yep!!! Never perfect out there, esp for us mere mortals.
Great information! Hoping to run my first ultra next fall or spring of 2026
This is such realistic, helpful advice. Thank you!
glad it was helpful, thank you!!!
When I trained for a 5k race, I accumulated up to 30k per week (a long run between 10 to 15k plus 3 times 5 to 6k). So from my experience it makes a lot of sense to start with a lower goal and you will automatically get into a position, where a 10k or a half marathon is also possible. And you can raise your goals later on.
Regards.
This is really useful thank you.
@@Eightfathorses glad you found it helpful!
Only achieved a 5K so far but a girl can dream 😂 Endure was really helpful so I now where to look if I want to make those dreams a reality including all your videos I’ve bookmarked
Very informative and helpful!!
glad it was helpful, thank you!
Very helpful! Thank you.
glad it was helpful, thank you!
This is really helpful. Thank you for all you share across your platforms. How do 4 road marathons, lots of half marathons, and 9 years of consistent running under my belt translate as cumulative build up? The only time off has been downtime between races and just general periodization. I have my eye on a 50k in 2026.
Good info.
I greatly respect your knowledge and experience... but there's a sub group of us out there who want to do our ultras, with the sub-par training and prep our lives enable us to invest.
It's not that you should give up on or delay ultras if you can't meet these training goals... it's that you need to figure out how to meet your goal with the resources you've got.
I've done a handful of 50ks and trail marathons with a long run of 12 miles, and peak training weeks between 25-30 miles. At the start line, i often meet a handful of people with similar training. We all usually finish. I use trail races as long runs. I get hours of time on feet every single day with my work, along with strength training. I hike a big mountain once a month. Not ideal training, but great overall fitness. Others run around parks during kids ball games, or get most of their runs on a treadmill.
I'll never stand on a podium, or break any records. But I still get to run 2-4 ultras every year, injury free, having a blast, creating experiences and friendships... it adds so much to my life, and I'd miss all of it if i were to say "I'm just too busy to train" etc.
Your way is undoubtedly the best way... but it's not the only way to be a part of this awesome sport.
@@Kelly_Ben hey Kelly. I hope you didn’t get the impression at any point I shamed anyone in this sport. I’m here to give people good solid training advice, that is my platform, and what people follow me are here for. I’m a massive cheerleader of the sport and getting more people into trail running. But It is okay if not 100% of what I share applies to you. Or we can recognize that at the end of the day we are adults with autonomy who are free to do what we want. I nor anyone else can stop you from running an ultra on even 0 miles a week. It sounds like you’re are doing a lot of things i am even suggesting to do here. Lots of time on feet, consistent mileage, 30 mile weeks, lifting to compliment it, etc. Luckily ultras at least 50ks are less impacting than road marathons so have more grace to finish with a good bit of walking, hiking or less impact. I’m not sure if you’re projecting your own frustration with this comment or trying to lecture me on my content- I’m sure it’s well intended. But at the end of the day my job here is to share the best info I can, mixed with my coaching experience, to help people get to their goals in a smart and safe way. You’re totally free to take or leave it if you don’t want to follow this advice. I work incredibly hard here to share so much of my own “imperfect” training, treadmill miles, doing what I can when I can, helpful tips, etc. I’m here to help, and I can’t make anyone including you do, use or apply anything I share. I’m
Glad you found something that works for you 🤘🏻
I have no idea why people waste so much time training. It took me 4 weeks to train for my first marathon and finished in a little under 4 hours. I have 6 weeks until my 50k and today is day 1 of training.
@@robinlythanks for letting us know!
Same! I did my first trail marathon with 7.5 week prep
@@AlexanderJackson-j8z bodies and tissues take time to adapt and it’s longer than 6-7 weeks but yall do you!!!
How do we feel about transitioning a marathon to 50k plan 2 months before
👁👄👁
would depend on if you mean instead of the marathon, or doing it right after the marathon, and if the marathon is 'all out' or a long training run!
50k ain't an ultra
@@smajmc7294 please let me know what is an ultra then
An ultra is anything further than 26.2 miles.