The physical ramifications for being an ultra runner are numerous...
[*Warning: this may be too graphic for sensitive readers]
How can you identify an ultra runner away from trails? If they are wearing flip flops/sandals, look at their toes...particularly after a race.
Ultra runners wear their battle scars on their feet, particularly their toes. Some issues may be unavoidable the longer you run, but this much I have seen: your toes turn black/blue and the nails...well...they develop blisters underneath them that gradually pop. Goodbye toe nails.
Some tricks of the trade include lubing up the feet, or if the conditions are too wet- drying powder. There are special toe socks, Injinji, that keep the toes separated, delaying (to some degree) development of blisters in between the toes. They take a long time to don, which makes it challenging if you are trying to change the socks at mile 50.
There are socks with extra padding, offering winter warmth and additional support.
Regardless of your socks, Ultra Runners lose their toe nails. It happens. If you are an Ultra Runner's partner, accept and love their feet. Their feet are trophies, attesting to conditions from running 100 miles+ in training or a race.
Friends have stated, "it is very unhealthy running that distance."
In my opinion, it is only unhealthy if you do not train properly, if you don't listen to your body while running, if you don't provide your body with proper nourishment before, during and after your runs, and if you have preconditioned medical conditions and have been issued a doctor's advisement against participation in running.
This will be a later blog topic.
[*Warning: this may be too graphic for sensitive readers]
How can you identify an ultra runner away from trails? If they are wearing flip flops/sandals, look at their toes...particularly after a race.
Ultra runners wear their battle scars on their feet, particularly their toes. Some issues may be unavoidable the longer you run, but this much I have seen: your toes turn black/blue and the nails...well...they develop blisters underneath them that gradually pop. Goodbye toe nails.
Some tricks of the trade include lubing up the feet, or if the conditions are too wet- drying powder. There are special toe socks, Injinji, that keep the toes separated, delaying (to some degree) development of blisters in between the toes. They take a long time to don, which makes it challenging if you are trying to change the socks at mile 50.
There are socks with extra padding, offering winter warmth and additional support.
Regardless of your socks, Ultra Runners lose their toe nails. It happens. If you are an Ultra Runner's partner, accept and love their feet. Their feet are trophies, attesting to conditions from running 100 miles+ in training or a race.
Friends have stated, "it is very unhealthy running that distance."
In my opinion, it is only unhealthy if you do not train properly, if you don't listen to your body while running, if you don't provide your body with proper nourishment before, during and after your runs, and if you have preconditioned medical conditions and have been issued a doctor's advisement against participation in running.
This will be a later blog topic.
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