I summited Kings Peak, the highest peak in Utah for the 15th time. But this time, I did it from a trailhead on the south slope, instead of from the north. The challenge is that this route is a 41-mile round trip with 6,580 feet of climbing instead of 26 miles and 4,300 feet of climbing. I believe I’m the first person to accomplish this in a day. Typically this longer route is a four-day backpack trip.
As more runners desire to be able run ultramarathon distance, they frequently ask if there is a training plan available to help them achieve that goal. Very structured training plans are available on the Internet that seem to feed the appetite of those who seek a prescriptive plan to achieve their goal.
I have never subscribed to such an approach, using somebody’s chart telling me what I “have to run” in order to prepare for a race. I consider such approaches silly. It can lead to both injury and burn-out. I’m shocked when I read this advise in a typical training program: “If you need them, take recovery days.” Of course you need recovery days!