So, I started thinking about the relationship between 5Ks and Ultra Running when I saw the following post from a guy on the Trail and Ultra Running Face Book page:
"Serious question. If you are an ultra runner, do you register for 5K races? Why?"
My response to the post was, "Yes, speedwork is essential. It compliments endurance running."
I had just finished the Mardi Gras 5K, on March 3rd, when I read this post. I wasn't alone in making the connection between speedwork and ultra running. Many of the responses were along the same line.
I couldn't believe the response to the post. I stopped counting, but I bet it was over 50. Some people said they ran 5Ks because they are usually tied to a good cause, most often a deserving charity or civic organization. A few people said they used to run 5Ks, but gave them up for the trails. The ones I liked the most, were a few people who said, they stopped running them because they were just too painful -- That, I get. ;)
At this past year's Spooktacular 5K, Christy Scott and I were running side by side for a bit, when either she or I said, 5Ks suck! Now Christy is a seasoned Ultra Runner, with many trail runs, and 100 milers to her credit. But we know the truth of the 5K. You run as hard as you can for 3.1 miles. There is no managing the race, gauging your pace, making sure you are properly fueling and keeping your electrolytes in balance. No, none of that. Just hard, hard running all the way to the finish line.
To lend credence to the connection between Ultra Running and 5Ks, the following folks were at the Mardi Gras 5K:
Martin Scheenkloth: This past year, Martin has raced at the Yeti 100 miler, the Barkley Fall Classic, the Fat Dog 120, and a stage race on Mount Everest... just to name a few of his 2017 Ultras.
Anya Gluszek: Anya, is a superb Triathlete, also she's finished the JFK 50 miler, the Dizzy 50K and she's ran a couple Mountain Mist 50Ks...Just to name a few.
Eric Fritz: Eric ran the Tunnel Hill 100 miler this past year, the Miwok 100K, and has over 10 finishes at the Mountain Mist 50K...again, not enough room to list all of his Ultra finishes.
Dink Taylor: Dink is the creator of the legendary Mountain Mist Trail Run and a quick look on Ultra Signup, shows Dink has ran over 135 races -- and that's just on Ultra Signup. There's no telling how many other marathons and other races he's ran over the years, not to mention that he was running on trails in Alabama, before there were actual trail races in the state. Also, it looks like Dink has ran the Strolling Jim 40 miler, 32 times, starting in 1987, and he's won it twice, and finshed in the top 3 several times.
The point of this is to show definitively that ultra runners know the benefit of running the 5K.
So, sign up for a 5K, get in that much needed speedwork, and more than likely you'll also be contributing to good cause.
Anya Gluszek: Anya, is a superb Triathlete, also she's finished the JFK 50 miler, the Dizzy 50K and she's ran a couple Mountain Mist 50Ks...Just to name a few.
Eric Fritz: Eric ran the Tunnel Hill 100 miler this past year, the Miwok 100K, and has over 10 finishes at the Mountain Mist 50K...again, not enough room to list all of his Ultra finishes.
Dink Taylor: Dink is the creator of the legendary Mountain Mist Trail Run and a quick look on Ultra Signup, shows Dink has ran over 135 races -- and that's just on Ultra Signup. There's no telling how many other marathons and other races he's ran over the years, not to mention that he was running on trails in Alabama, before there were actual trail races in the state. Also, it looks like Dink has ran the Strolling Jim 40 miler, 32 times, starting in 1987, and he's won it twice, and finshed in the top 3 several times.
The point of this is to show definitively that ultra runners know the benefit of running the 5K.
So, sign up for a 5K, get in that much needed speedwork, and more than likely you'll also be contributing to good cause.
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