ultras are hard but anyone can adapt wrote:
some ultra runners are pretty good runners. i know people who finished top 10 in 50 milers who have run 10k's in under 30 minutes, marathons near 2:20 and can consistently run 1:06 in HM's
they've been humbled by the longer distance but it's an adaptation thing.
Im presuming alot here, BUT i think the main reason Letsrun visitors don't like ultra runners (and some marathoners) is that we generally have a competitive running background where certain standards are set for ourselves. We don't care about finishing a marathon or an ultra, we want to place high/win or hit a good time. if we were 14:40's 5k guys in college, there's not much thrill 10 years later just breaking 16 minutes.
Example:
I blew up in a marathon recently chasing a 2:26 and i ended up running 2:32. most people i told were amazed, but i was incredibly disappointed. especially since i could have done way less training to run a 2:32 if that was my goal. the 2:32 is a good time, but not to me
i didn't enter college hoping to just graduate, i thought, "i'm going to graduate first in my class."
it's all relative, but Letrunners, in general, don't care about the virtues of simply completing an ultra race or marathon like many do. it's all about being competitive.
Hit the nail on the head! If you're going to do Ultras don't just complete them. Actually train hard and try and race them or run well (which a minority do and it's incredible)....