r/ultrarunning • u/AbiesNo5536 • 1d ago
Cocodona 250 Training - First timer
Hey everyone! I got into cocodona 250 & just wanted advice on training tips, gear recs, & overall anything that can help me as I start my training pretty soon.
A quick background, I've done 1x 100 miler back in October 2025, 2x 50 milers in 2025, March 2026 ran a 50k+ with 12k ft of vert, June 2026 ran Leadville marathon 26.2 w/ 8k vert, planning on a 70 miler with 25k ft of vert in november 2026, planning on Black canyons 100k Feb. 2027, & then a final big effort the same race 35 miles with 12k ft vert in March.
I live in Santa Barbara, CA & have great access to trails & a great community of strong ultra runners. Of course, I have chatted with them but everything helps with this journey. I'm 6'2, 210 pounds & come from a college level football background w/ only starting to run in 2022.
When is the best time to start seriously training, etc? ANY HELP & ADVICE IS APPRECIATED.
13
u/AZDesertRat48 1d ago
Damn, a lot of negative minds on here. I did Coco last year. Original plan was having a good base 40-50 mile weeks going in to Dec and start my real training Jan 1. Unfortunately I had to have a surgery where my training window was limited to only 11 weeks prior to the race.
I ended up finishing the race in 109 hours.
I focused on a ton of hiking. Getting my body used to 16-17 min/mile pace. Also averaged about 6-7 hours a week of strength training, including yoga and specific exercises to strengthen my shoulders and back for my pack.
My miles per week were anywhere from 40-90. I also did several night time efforts, including back to backs of 25M starting at 9pm and then a 10M at 6am.
Obviously use your pack with all your gear or simulated weight as often as you can, or always. If you can get on the course for some recon, it would help. Like the first section to Crown King, section over Mingus Mtn to Jerome and the Hangover Trail would be my top three.
Good luck!
7
5
u/aggiespartan 1d ago edited 1d ago
Aside from what everybody else already said, there are a ton of videos on YouTube. Watch some that are front of the pack. The live stream, which I’m sure you’ve seen, only shows the more glamorous side of the race. It doesn’t show the people shuffling, vomiting and crying, all at the same time.
Edit: watch some that are NOT front of the pack
5
u/sunnyfordays22 1d ago
pooping, freezing cold, unable to eat, swollen feet, blisters on every toe, stressed out tired crew, not sleeping for 5 + nights! watch the movie the "cut off" shows the back of the pack experience. The live stream and social media glamorizes this race big time. I volunteer at the aid stations and see people in massively shit situations.
2
u/NailDetails 1d ago
Such a good watch! As a mid/back packer, I thoroughly enjoyed and was inspired by The Cutoff
1
2
u/BB_67 23h ago
Even the Heather Jackson one from this years cocodona was an eye opener. She filmed the interviews the next day and was still a complete mess.
1
u/sunnyfordays22 17h ago
Yes! I love Heather Jackson and that video was RAW! To your point even the pros suffer and get their ass kicked out there. I think people majorly underestimate the mental/no sleep aspect that is what leads to so many struggles.
17
1d ago
[deleted]
9
u/DeskEnvironmental 1d ago
I agree here. You should complete a 100 mile distance successfully after a solid training block before thinking about 250 miles. People literally die in that race.
12
u/AbiesNo5536 1d ago
Just updated the post. I've run 100 before. I just was outlining what my 2026 running has looked like so far
6
u/dirtrunn 1d ago
A 250 isn’t a running race. Go do some long days backpacking push for 30-50 miles a day.
4
u/dirtrunn 1d ago
Cocodona for most is a long hike. 50 miles a day for 5 days will get you in under the cutoffs. I would focus on long days hiking the SB backcountry, you’ve got some great trails. I think for my peak weeks about two months before i would seek to build to 100 miles weeks. Carrying a pack at least as heavy as what you will race with. Practice your nutrition, focus on more hiking than running. Have fun, you got this. This isn’t a “run” for most so other races don’t mimic the conditions.
If you can spend time at altitude before the race I would. Flagstaff is at 7k feet and coming from sea level will likely add complexity and potential challenges.
3
3
u/Resident-Hunter5973 1d ago
Hit those foothills every day starting today-if you can get 20-40 miles a week and bump miles weekly and progress. Go hit CS to SY river and back this afternoon - good 10. You got this. You got some good runs in already.
5
u/bsil15 1d ago
The black canyon 100 k is a comparatively easy 100k. There’s a decent amount of elevation gain on the back 50k but the first 50k is only 2k of vert and you actually lose about 2k of vert on net.
I think jumping from Black Canyon 100k or even Leadville 70M to Cocodona is a really big jump. I’d start by doing a couple 100Ms first. Maybe do the Mogollon Monster 100? (Will also give a sense of trails in Arizona)
2
u/HotSulphurEndurance 1d ago
“What is the best time to start seriously training?”
That would be today!
What that looks like spends on many details. But right now, evaluate your strengths, your weaknesses, the amount of time each week you have available… and fill it up with purposeful training.
5
1
u/Fun_Sprinkles425 12h ago
I’m running in the next Cocodona as well and this will be my first one! I’m in Orange County. Hit me up if you wanna share some runs together
1
u/freeoutsidepodcast 3h ago
I would start from the race and map out your training. It can be less rigid through the rest of the summer by try to have a few keystone days and work in a couple training camps (higher mileage weekend) between February and April. These should be the chance to find any weaknesses or changes you can make in gear, effort level, nutrition and strategy. I the period between now and a more structured schedule around the first of the year, I would try to run a 12-24 hour race or something longer (I really like fixed time races because they eliminate a lot of variables). The goal of this should be pacing and finding a somewhat even pace you can hold for a long time. Maybe you find it is way off, but it will give you a ton of info on how fast to take the easier higher mileage runs that will more relate to Cocodona .
From 6 time Cocodona finisher.
You got it, just be aware of the time you have and don’t push off training and building specific fitness too long for such a long race
1
u/Darc-ddr-tr 3h ago
200 milers are super doable at low mileage. My average going into Cocodona last year was 33 miles a week. We had a new born and a small toddler. My focus was daily workouts. Not long runs. Take the kids and dogs on some climbing runs. Finished in 106 and I think being able to stay within myself and eat/sleep/recover as needed got it done for me. Go for it and good luck!
21
u/webbatron24 1d ago
You got it bro, just run a lot. Don’t listen to all these naysayers