Completing My First 100-Mile Ultramarathon

The journey to the finish line of a 100-mile race begins long before race day. For me, it started two years ago when I first caught the ultrarunning bug after completing my first 50K.

The Training

Preparing for a 100-miler is as much mental as it is physical. My training included:

- 60-70 mile weeks at peak training - Back-to-back long runs on weekends - Strength training twice weekly - Practicing nutrition and gear on long training runs - Mental preparation and visualization

The hardest part wasn't the individual workouts but the consistency required over months. There were days when the last thing I wanted to do was lace up my shoes for a 5-hour training run, but those were often the most important sessions.

Race Day

Standing at the start line at 5 AM, headlamp on, surrounded by fellow runners, I felt a mix of excitement and terror. The first 30 miles felt almost easy—the trails were beautiful, my energy was high, and my pacers kept me on track with nutrition and hydration.

Miles 30-60 got tougher as the day heated up. I focused on moving efficiently through aid stations and staying cool. By mile 70, I was in unknown territory, having never run farther than that in training.

The Dark Night

The true test came during the night hours. Hallucinations started around mile 80—I was convinced there were people sitting in chairs along the trail watching me. My pacer kept me grounded, reminding me to eat and drink even when I didn't want to.

The Finish Line

The final 10 miles were a blur of pain and determination. When the finish line came into view, all the fatigue temporarily lifted. Crossing that line after 27 hours and 14 minutes on the trail was the most profound moment of my athletic life.

Lessons Learned

This race taught me more about myself than any other experience:

1. The body is capable of far more than the mind believes 2. Progress happens one step at a time—literally 3. Proper preparation prevents poor performance 4. Community matters—from crew to fellow runners 5. The joy is in the journey, not just the finish line

I'm already planning my next ultra adventure, but for now, I'm enjoying the recovery and reflecting on this incredible journey.