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Do You Need Back-to-Back Long Runs for an Ultra? | Daily Run Vlog

Chris Merritt

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Back-to-back long runs are a staple of ultra training, but that doesn’t mean everyone should be doing them.

Today, I’m 12 miles into day two of a 32-mile weekend, talking about why I use back-to-back long runs, who I think should (and shouldn’t) use them, and how I’d approach them differently when training for a 50K vs. a 50-miler. Plus, how I'm feeling setting out for another 12 after yesterday’s 20.

Follow along on Strava: Strava: strava

5 Comments

@GronkArt 4 days ago

This is the exact sort of video I thought I wanted when I was hitting a long run the other morning. Can’t believe I’m getting this stuff for free

@sasquatchrunner 2 days ago

I like the back to back runs as well and incorporate them as my training builds towards my event. I don't start with them but certainly add them in and as a bigger runner also, 55 yo, 224lbs It helps with that muscular endurance, but you also gotta keep strength training! So many runners stop or do the minimum. Keep Rollin' Chris!

@chadbrown5929 3 days ago

I love getting advice from men built like me .Most runners are skin and bones. I’m 55 190 lbs trying to get to that 50 mile mark.Great video 👍

@AndersonReel 4 days ago

Everyone is different, personally I build up to it and often do consistent 10 mile runs (every other day) 2-3 weeks up to the week before the ultra. Seems to work for me :)

@oldmandice2731 7 days ago

So, I have my 1st ultra coming up in January. It's a 50K trail race on a 10K loop. My long run is scheduled the day after my brick run (run-bike-run, takes about 90 minutes and the bike is an intense 45 minutes while the runs are at an easy pace) following a recovery day (power walk, sauna and a light swim) with a rest day after the long run. I won't go into the nitty gritty but it's what works best with my entire schedule. All that to say every long run I do is on tired legs. Currently I'm doing 12 miles, but I run intervals of 2 miles with a 90 second walk recovery, and plan on increasing that to 18 miles by my peak week. Is there a benefit to replacing the brick run with a long run and doing an easy run the following day so that I can do my long run on fresh legs and get a double like you described?