Am I being realistic? (Page 2)

Just because functional training doesn't result in huge muscles does not mean it is not useful.  Functional training is not "a way for skinny, weak personal trainer to get recognized" it simply means training for a specific purpose.  Functional training involves exercises that are sports specific meaning this type of training is much more valuable to endurance athletes than simply 'pumping iron' for the sake of bragging rights.

Take Lance Armstrong or Mark Allen (two of the best endurance athletes) for example.  They will have done functional training when required and these guys are anything but "weak".

Also I think you'll find that David Goggins is somewhat of an exception in terms of the physique of an endurance athlete.

So body building and successful endurance sport participation don't often go together well.

It is great you have goals for the future to do these races. I have goals of tris I want to do in the future. One day I'll do an Ironman...hey I'm 45 but I'm taking the long road, trying to train smart, build up my base so when I feel ready my body is prepared to do the training necessary. I will probably do tris for 5-6 years before I'm ready to train for the Ironman distance.

I think in many ways you are in the same spot (albeit much younger than me). You have a goal you want to achieve in a few years. Smart thing to do is do all you can now to help you be able to train smart to reach that goal.

I'm not an ultra runner or have much knowledge in the area, but like you are doing I'd research as much as I could, I'd talk to folks that have done it, try to find a mentor or coach that could put together a 3-4 year plan for you to reach that...be it running shorter events with cross country or track, but trust someone who has the knowledge to help you.

Read books, search the internet, and learn from as many sources as possible.

It is a great goal but you need to consider where you are and if you body is able to handle the training necessary to do the race and develop the mental toughness required. Working toward it in a consistent manner that allows you to have fun and build up to it safely is key.

I have twin 18 year old sons...if they had this goal, man it would scare me but with good research, and knowledgeable coach/mentor as a parent I trusted, if my sons' went about it in a sound reasonable manner I'd be supportive.

i know absoloutely nothing about running but just to let you know that bodies take time to develop. steven gerrard is a professional footballer (soccer) player here. the man is a class act but whilst he was still a teenager and early twenties he struggled: his muscles and skeleton were not growing at the same rate and he missed games through injury. too much too soon maybe?

he's mid-twenties now and captained his team to european cup glory a few years ago and is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the country (and world maybe?)

my point is the races won't go away. don't rush yourself. enjoy highschool for what it is, and don't panic about not fitting in, but do try and get the most out of it. if you want to break highschool weight room records go for it; but don't expect to ultra-run train at the same time. stretch your goals out time wise and do everything you want to over more years: less chance of injury and more chance of enjoying each aspect.

I have met David Goggins. He USED to be able to lift 400. He couldn't right now. He suffered and continues to suffer from injuries due to his size.

Like others have said, there is a lot of time between now and then, so good luck