Kendall

50 is still a very long way! Especially since the pace will be quicker.

I guess this is true at any distance. The marathon, half marathon, 10k, etc., really aren't any "easier" because of the increased effort and stress we subject ourselves to.

...shorter ≠ easier!

Oh yeah, for sure. Every step "down" requires you to be willing to hurt A LOT more, even if its for a shorter duration of time. I think the 10K is one of the hardest races b/c you pretty much have to be willing to red line it right from the start. At least the marathon feels comfortable for a while! :-)

Is why I like long distance - I can be slow and relatively relaxed.

That's true MVH. At the same time, as soon as I sent the last remark I realized that one has to acknowledge that there is something inherently different about the 100 mile distance (100K depending upon the course). "Hard" in a whole different kind of way--mentally, physically, emotionally, etc.

Amen to everything here. You've got to respect the distance, for sure. In those shorter races the red line Jake mentions is just miserable, but you know it'll be over relatively soon. In a 50 (at least for me), cardio isn't really taxed, it's just managing pain over a long time, for hours. I can't even imagine making the jump to 100s and dealing it for more than twice as long. That's just so long to fight the brain and body's desire to quit. If they were easier, more people would be doing them.

I think even a fast marathon would be miserable. Jake, did you ever feel you were at the red line in Phoenix, other than at the end?

Not really, even at the end. You're almost always aerobic in the marathon - its just a matter of managing (fighting off) the brain's desire to slowly shut it down once you get past 18-20 miles. You never really cross that threshold where you start accumulating lactate. The half-marathon or shorter, on the other hand, is where you cross that line.

I will say that I am thankful I can run the marathon as fast as I do... once you get past 2 hours at that effort level - its like "OK, ready to be done with this!"... I wouldn't even want to think about adding an extra 15-30 minutes (or more) onto that time.

The one 50K I did, it was interesting b/c the pace is always comfortable and manageable... its primarily a function of fighting off muscular fatigue and breakdown.

I imagine the 50 miler is a delicate balance b/w the pace management of a 50K, but the nutritional/hydration component of a 100 miler.