Thoughts on Which Ultra - 50m or 50km??

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Barky Aug 2015 11:14am, 1 Aug 2015 6,597 posts	0 Barky Ok, I have done about 7 marathons to date (no 8 coming up in Oct), but next year I reach the big 50 and noticed that there is the NoMad50 in the area (basically, a race around Derby). Now this would be my first Ultra and would like some feedback on: do i go for the full event - which is 50miles or go for the slim version, 50km (apprx 33miles)?? Oh, and its not till June next year
HappyG(rrr) Aug 2015 11:29am, 1 Aug 2015 24,818 posts	0 HappyG(rrr) Binks did a great article about this (see his blog or even book!) - 50km is just a marathon and a bit and doesn't tell/show you how different ultras can be. For a real challenge and to find out what you think about ultras, do the 50 miler. By all means use a 50km as a build up, but it's really not much different to a marathon. Good luck, and enjoy! G
Derby Tup Aug 2015 11:55am, 1 Aug 2015 16,984 posts	0 Derby Tup Agreed: do the 50 mile. It'll be a good challenge and will feel very different to your now familiar 26.2 miles. Very occasionally I've done shorter options at LDWA events etc and (assuming I'm fit and well) always wished I'd opted for the full
Foxy Aug 2015 12:19pm, 1 Aug 2015 32,675 posts	0 Foxy do 50 miles, 50 km is a badly measured marathon
100forRNIB Aug 2015 12:52pm, 1 Aug 2015 6,183 posts	0 100forRNIB Agree with the other comments, 50km is not that much different to a marathon. In fact a 'flat' 50km is probably 'easier' than a trail hilly marathon. 50 miles is a totally different proposition. And as HappyG suggested Binks has written an excellent well thought out article on precisely this subject.
JohnnyO Aug 2015 2:23pm, 1 Aug 2015 17,923 posts	0 JohnnyO I have done this race when it had a different name a few years ago. Very nice race, mostly flat but some short sharp climbs. Lots of different terrain. I would go for the 50m. Unless you are a pussy?
Foxy Aug 2015 7:36pm, 1 Aug 2015 32,751 posts	0 Foxy plus a 50 can be used as a qualifier for a Centurion 100 mile event
Liliaicha Aug 2015 7:50pm, 1 Aug 2015 9,358 posts	0 Liliaicha 50 MILES. End of.
Foxy Aug 2015 9:01pm, 1 Aug 2015 32,756 posts	0 Foxy ........a 100 after the first half
Derby Tup Aug 2015 9:28pm, 1 Aug 2015 17,003 posts	0 Derby Tup Looks like we have consensus Barky