Can someone tell me...

[The Ramzev]

If I run a 12 hour ultra, what distance should I shoot for to be able to call myself an Ultra runner? I believe the cut off is marathon distance, this means that if I can manage 26.3 miles in 12 hours I'm an ultra runner and I'm qualified to poop in the woods at will?

Naturally, I will have higher goals than 26.3, I'd be superbly happy with hitting the 40m mark.

I'm looking at one that is a 5 mile loop.

 

[Rusinque]

I believe an ultra runner is someone who runs great distances, no matter of the time.

 

[Barefoot TJ]

Poop in the woods at will. Ha! You funny, Ram! I think anything over 26.2 is an ultra runner.

 

[ElyDave]

For me anything over 26.25 makes an ultrarunner.

But, honestly, for 12 hours, surely you need to be targetting 50-60miles? after all that's only 4.2-5 mph?

 

[SillyC]

There's a local marathon here (Nipmuck Trail Marathon) that is 26.4 miles. Everybody calls it an ultra. I think it's kind of a joke, though.

See here - this is the race report from the guy who won:
http://team.inov-8.us/2011/10/nipmuck-trail-marathon-recap-ben-nephew.html

Just FYI, Ram - at a 12 hour loop course, they are going to have porta potties. So don't get all excited and have a celebratory bowel movement on the trail at mile 27, and think that people are going to yell, "Hey, Congrats, RAM! Here's a wet wipe with your name on it!"

 

[Last Place Jason]

TJ's on to something. Ultraruning is more of a lifestyle. Start dressing in thrift store clothing, wander around in the woods for 8-12 hours, and of course, poop three feet off the trail on a regular basis.

 

[Last Place Jason]

Oh, and it helps to quit your job.

 

[Barefoot TJ]

The pooping in the woods thing is something Ram posted about, but...I actually have experience with it...on a run...in a race... Not my proudest moment.

 

[RunningPirate]

"How to Quit Your Job, Poop in the Woods and Live the Dream" - sounds like a great title for a book...

 

[KiwiRunning]

ofcourse your not a 'real' ultra runner until your got a decent amount of facial hair going on.

 

[Barefoot TJ]

Matey, that's such an outstanding book title, I'm afraid Jason will end up stealing it from you for his new ultra book he's writing.

 

[RunningPirate]

Matey, that's such an outstanding book title, I'm afraid Jason will end up stealing it from you for his new ultra book he's writing.

Oh, that would be pure awesome! Though, actually, I think it would be more fitting for an autobiography/motivational book...but still...

 

[SillyC]

The pooping in the woods thing is something Ram posted about, but...I actually have experience with it...on a run...in a race... Not my proudest moment.

Well, I imagine you'd be pretty proud at the end of the day if you'd run 30 more miles after dropping that deuce in the forest....

 

[Last Place Jason]

Matey, that's such an outstanding book title, I'm afraid Jason will end up stealing it from you for his new ultra book he's writing.

I don't know... the "squirrel wipe" title is tough to beat.

 

[Barefoot TJ]

Anything to lighten the load, Ms. Silly.