So you’re looking for advice on how to hit that 100-mile ultramarathon?
Maybe thinking to yourself, “Running 100 miles would be a cool accomplishment, but to double the 50-mile race distance? I can’t even imagine”
The biggest difference between 50 milers and 100 milers is going through the night and feeling so beaten down and sleep-deprived.
And that’s one of the reasons why 100 milers are so much harder than 50 milers – because you go through the night – Sleep deprivation kicks in, and all the miles and steps start to add up.
So what do ultra runners who run 100 miles like how do that do that? We stay low and slow(:
Let’s get into these 9 advice tips for ultramarathons!
9 pieces of advice
This list comes from a collection of experiences.
- Running a 50 miler comes down to physical ability, and running 100 miles comes down to the mental ability
- A secret? Go slower than you would a 50 miler and eat more. After all, we have another 50 to go. 4 miles an hour will get you to a 24-hour finish. That’s a steady 15-minute pace.
- Keep a focus on things like:
- Pacing: slower than a 50 miler
- Eating: real food, not all gu’s, etc – you’ll be going all day.
- Sleeping: caffeine helps keep us awake. Do a caffeine detox in the week or two leading up to the race. We all slow down at night, especially during the darkest hours between 1 and 3 am. For some people a nap is the secret, for others, this is what puts the nail in the coffin.
- For long slow distance training runs? Make them a little bit longer, and run them back-to-back days. Feel what it’s like to have tired legs and want to stop but still keep it moving.
- Better yet? Pace someone for the second half of their 100-miler… talk about getting a long training run and seeing someone go through the gauntlet
- Race day? Overprepare. Crew, pacer, food, nutrition, and gear. As you gain experience you’ll know what you need and don’t need.
- When things get hard, play some mind games:
- Get to the next aid station, tree, or light post
- Count steps
- See if you can spot anything out yonder.
- Do something to keep your mind busy
- Do nothing and embrace it
- Get plenty of sleep the week or two leading up to the race, and get that sleep bank fully charged.
- There are tons of races to help get good training in. Timed events are really controlled like a 6 or 12-hour race. Usually, aid stations and people are within a mile to 4-mile radius. Loop courses have their own set of challenges like going round and around. 50 miles and 100k are other great options as a “peak” training week (maybe a month before your first 100?)
I appreciate your attention!
LMK some thoughts!
Go get your miles!
peace!!!!
Joe DiAndrea 