On Saturday the 9th of August 2025 I'll be lining up at the start line of the North Downs Way 100 mile race (Centurion Running). I'm number 159 and can be tracked here.
My training block has been perfect: I've hit every long run, and have even gone above and beyond, with several 50km or sub-ultra races strategically run in the 16 week training block, including a Dartmoor retreat and long run; a Snowdon 25km race; the Beat the Sunset 50km near Maidenhead; and a really satsifying South Downs Way 50km race that I finished in a very satisfying (for training) time. I've averaged 40-50 mile weeks and 9-10+ hours of training per week in the peak weeks.
That figure includes walking and strength training, two key components on staying strong and getting ready for the rigours of 100 mile racing. And you are racing, even when you are walking and/or in active recovery mode most of the way. You are also running, and I'm told by Alex Hutchinson that the average 100 mile racer consumes 8000 calories over the distance. The average calorie burn for those same individuals is in the range of 16,000 calories, meaning that success equals getting at least have of what you burn in.
It's hard to eat that much on the move. I struggle with solid and 'real' foods, so when these start to lose their appeal I'll switch from sausage rolls and cheese sandwiches to gels, energy drinks, and my secret weapon, longlife milk later in the race. These foods just slide right down. You have to keep up the rhythm of eating too, consuming something every 30 minutes minimum. I've got high carb Naak powder to supplement the Tailwind provided on course; and I've got high carb SIS and Naak gels, to top up the Precision Gels (also high carb at 30g per gel) provided at check points.
All of this is fine. It's the mental game that is the true struggle. You can't start thinking; you have to just relentlessly execute, and turn off your brain. The only way to do this is to either distract yourself, or to dial in. Distraction comes in the form of high fiving people, joking with the volunteers, looking at the scenery, or reciting a mantra. I'll be using a pacer from mile 82, in part to distract myself from myself. I'll be trying to keep a 'smooth brain', one without jagged or judgemental emotions. The smooth brain won't judge: it moves on, leaving examination of complex emotions to be processed post finish (thanks to Sabrina Little's ultra-running philosophy book for this insight).
You lose sleep running ultras too, both during, and before. I'm already dreaming of the race very night, especially last night after our first Centurion race webinar to go over course setup and expectations. It would be nice to figure out how to shut this off, but actually I think my brain is performing a vital function of sorting out some angst and getting rid of it for me before I even get to the start line. Actually, I slept quite well last night too, despite being on the trail in my brain all night.
I've followed Damian Hall's advice, writing down all the things that are troubling me on the mental side of training, of which he notes, we don't do enough. Not only do you write everything down, but you also write down what you are going to do about each one of your fears/worries when they arise. He rightly highlights accountability and letting people know what you're up to. My strategies in response to his advice are to move through temporary discomfort and try my hardest (be tough); to enjoy the inevitable good moments, and to anticipate them (it never always gets worse); to visualise the race; and to run mile to mile and check point to check point.
I've got 4 more sleeps; 4 more days to taper tantrum by having weird/bad dreams and writing blog posts. I'll visualize, I'll try to be calm and serene in these days before the big race. At least I get to fit in two more runs! I did a 4 miler today (13 min/mile pace or 8:09 min/km); and get a 3 and then a 2 and then a 0 mile day.
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