What I’ve learned in the process
I love to run.
Specifically, I love to run for outlandish periods of time – for hours on end – which, I fully understand, may sound foolish at best. Nevertheless, it’s rather quickly become a very important piece of my life.
On second thought, “pure obsession” is likely the more accurate verbiage.
Such an obsession has led me to where I stand today – a short few weeks away from my first 100 mile footrace.
Crazy, right? I agree.
Insane as it might be – or, seem, from the outside looking in – it’s become the norm in this life of mine. A way of living that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
That said, what exactly does it take to train for something like this? To run 100 miles, that is.
No two humans are the same – thus, no two training plans should be identical in design or in implementation. But, here is what I do and have done to prepare for the task that lay ahead.
Early Stages
Nearly one whole calendar year ago, September of 2022 – I ran in the same event I’ll be participating in this September, but in the 100 kilometer race, rather than the 100 mile. I consider this effort to be what set the stage for what led to this current place in time.
100 kilometers, or, 63(ish) miles, was a test. It brought about a level of physical discomfort that I’d never quite reached in prior experiences. It broke down my ankles and feet in a way that I was not the least bit prepared for, and it humbled me beyond belief. Most of all, however, what that opportunity provided was an incredibly apparent realization that the human body is capable of far more than we give it credit for – that my own body could go much, much further that it had gone that day.
So, here I am, but, what happened in between?
Time on Your Feet
If you are training for a traditional marathon (26.2 miles) or anything below, there are some well-structured training plans available, with a variety of methods within them (speed work, intervals, fartleks, etc.)
The primary difference in the world of ultra running is this; time on your feet is the most integral piece to the puzzle. And so, naturally, this is what I aim to prioritize. Sure, I keep an eye on my mileage, but place greater importance on the time spent moving rather than the distance traveled. The reason for this, of course, being to strengthen and harden the bones, tissue, muscles and ligaments within my feet and ankles. Remember the struggles from my 100K race? Lesson learned – the hard way.
Train Your Gut
I have many times gone on record stating that this is the most difficult task to accomplish in training for an ultra marathon – training your gut to hold down nutrition of all kinds while continuing to run.
Solids, gels, liquids – anything and everything that will keep you fueled up. Training your gut to handle all of it is an absolute must.
This, as previously alluded to, is no walk in the park. It’s not easy. It’s not fun, and the worst of it: there is no real “good” way to go about it. Trial and error is the name of the game. Stick with what works, and rule out what doesn’t.
Consistency
The guiding principle of it all – all of what may be poured into preparation for a triple-digit footrace – is consistency.
Admittedly, I don’t often like to bring up this hobby of mine, primarily for the sake of humility. Let’s face it – there isn’t exactly an easy way to say “I’m training to run 100 miles” without seeming boastful. For this reason, I often keep it to myself.
However, on the occasion that my training schedule is brought up in conversation, I typically receive one response: “I don’t know how you do it.” To which, I always reply “I guess I’ve just stayed consistent.”
It’s true. Consistency really is the primary reason behind my ability to do what I do – to cover miles that were nothing but a fever dream just a couple of years back.
In these moments, these conversations, it becomes apparent to me that whether you’re training for an ultra marathon, or studying for the Bar Exam. If you’re working to lose 50 pounds, or if you’re trucking along the road to sobriety. Regardless of what it is you’re shooting for, your results are simply a culmination of what you do, not what you say you’ll do, day after day, hour after hour and minute after minute.
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Forged in Fire 
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