Ultra in a storm?

I'm not going to lie: it will suck. Mentally preparing for the worst can get you through it. IT. WILL. BE. BAD. You're looking at ALL day in those conditions. However, 'embrace the suck' and if it doesn't end up being as bad as you're preparing for, then great!

I did my 2nd 50mi in a blizzard last year (remember the late march snowstorm that shut down St. Louis & KC during the NCAA bball tournament?) My 100 miler had rain, then thunderstorms (and lots of wind, rain, course flooding and mud) for the last 25mi. It was rough.

That said, if you want the best chance of finishing: GET THE GEAR. The worst of those 2 races? The 50mi in the blizzard. I didn't have enough warm clothes and dry layers coming from LA. WalMart was sold out of winter gear. I 'lucked out' with a cowboy hat, poncho, and $1 knit gloves on clearance in the hunting section...since they had spring stuff out already.

Wear the cycling jacket. Get some extra layers at Goodwill, bring as much as you can and decide the night before what you're going to wear and what you cna put in drop bags.

If it's rainy and muddy most of the time, it's probably not worth changing socks. I did change my socks 5-6 times in the blizzard and I got no blisters. I only changed them once in the 100, got several, but I blame the terrain/conditions. Looking back, I probably wouldn't change my socks again for a continuously wet race. For the 100 I had a tech shirt, a long sleeve thicker hooded jacket AND a rain jacket & hat.

BUFF, or some other kind of neck/lower face protection. Yes, it'll be wet, but you'll appreciate the barrier against the wind. They sell them at Summit Hut. Go get 2 if you don't have some already and have the extra one in a drop bag. In my last pic, you can see I'm wearing 2 of them and I was so thankful to have them both.
http://www.buffusa.com/sports/collections/filter/original

So, layers. And be careful. Throw ANY time goals out the window as finishing safely is the most important thing. Just keep moving at a comfortable, safe for the conditions, pace.

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hey- how do you know about Summit Hut?  (our local outdoorsy store in Tucson).

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Like the robot comet said, embrace the suck.  it will be the same for everyone out there so those that handle it mentally the best will have no issues.  decide now that it will be fine, get the goodwill stuff like cyborg comet suggested and come pace day just keep moving!!

I've got a nylon running vest (brooks) which I use a lot.  I've also got a very thin nylon cycling jacket (which has red white and blue flames on it from TriSports- very funky!), as well as a Gore Phantom SO jacket- which is a bit warmer, with zip-off sleeves.  None are water proof.  I've run in the rain quite a number of times (although in Tucson, it's still not that often) and it hasn't been a problem.  I just get wet. 

but for this race- should I go and buy a thin, waterPROOF breathable jacket of some sort as an outside layer?   

I can't see without glasses, but yeah, I agree.  I'd prefer to not have to wear them.  Given the weather- I'll be wearing clear ones.  I've stashed a few dry towels in some drop bags so I can wipe them clear, plus I sprayed them with Rain-X, which kinda' helps.  

Forecast hasn't changed much.  Looks like strong winds and heavy rain.  I bought a water resistant running shell at Fleet Feet.  It's a chick's version (zipper on other side, feminine pattern on the back, sleeves really skinny so I can't pull them up), but it's all they had.  Oh well.  It will be in the upper 40's and mid-50's, so not terribly cold.  Can go with one or two layers under as needed, with options in drop bags.  Just hoping that the trail doesn't get too muddy and slippery.

this time tomorrow, I'll be in a world of hurt...  See ya' on the other side with a race report.

Race report posted:  I DNFed at mile 33 due to potential hypothermia.  I have no regrets in my decision- it was clearly the right thing to do.  

The weather forecast, as bad as it sounded, was an understatement of the conditions we eventually had.

It was 10 degrees colder (40-46F depending on elevation), instead of in the mid 50s

And while the forecast called for 0.3-0.5 inches of rain... we got over 2 inches of rain where we were.  Which, needless to say, changes the trail conditions considerably.  They turned into muddy rivers.

http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=511827

Good go at it.  Always remember DNF>DNS.  Recoup and hit it hard when your' ready too.

How far are you willing to travel?

This one isn't far:
http://www.aravaiparunning.com/mesquite-canyon/

http://elementalrunning.com/races/ride-the-wind/

There are some other good ones, but I don't know where you'd be willing to go. I think you should aim for a Mar or Apr race!

thanks for the suggestions.  I'm not really sure what I'm going to do next.  Firstly- I need to assess where I am fitness wise.  Taper, taking 2 weeks off, and racing do change where you are.  I've got some rebuilding to do and I'm not confident that I could be re-ready for a 50miler in 2-1/2 weeks.  I've enjoyed the trail running thing, and intend to continue, but I've got other goals.  I've always wanted to do the Mount Lemmon marathon, which is coming up in about 6 weeks. And- if I have the speed (not sure how much I've lost with these slow trail runs), might want to make a BQ attempt in the spring.  I've got too many other personal and family travel plans coming up, so my dreams of a 50 miler- might just have to wait.  good suggestions tho'. 

I live 6 miles from the base.  I could run there, then run up it.