The Ups and Downs of a 100-Mile race

Standing on the start line of a 100-mile race, I was feeling quite relaxed. I knew I was going to be out running for a long time, but the start of these races usually feels steady and comfortable. I think it's important to enjoy these early moments in the race, as it is guaranteed to become physically and mentally brutal further down the line. Set off with a smile.

Before turning up at the start line, and assuming you have physically prepared for the race, accept that there will be both good and bad moments. Mentally prepare for these tough moments so when they happen, you already expect them. They will pass.

All smiles at the start line.

I think we often focus so much on the physicality of running, training hard, and becoming ready for the challenge, but the mental training is often overlooked. After 50km at the Khao Yai race, I reached a checkpoint and needed food. I remember struggling to eat, not feeling great, and thinking, "This is far too early to be feeling this way". I felt frustrated and started to panic. Although this big low came earlier than expected, I needed to listen to my own advice that these dips happen, and they most often pass. I left the checkpoint, set off slowly, and tried to settle back in the race. The sun had set, and it was going to be a long night ahead.

Running 100 miles is a big challenge, and I have a lot of respect for anyone willing to stand on the start line to test themselves. It is tough! There will be points when you question why you are doing it, and moments when the finish line feels so far away. It is these reasons that we take on the challenge. The highs will feel incredible, whilst the lows will feel never-ending. Both moments are needed to fully appreciate the endurance test.

A big low point at 50km, and it came much earlier than I was expecting.

At the 100km mark, I began to hit a big high in the race. The main reason for this was that I overtook a runner and moved back into 2nd place. A huge mental boost. My legs were still just as tired, but my head was buzzing and my pace started to increase - a lot! I remember reaching the next checkpoint, and the volunteers greeted me by saying, "You are looking strong!" The mental shift had a huge impact on my running, and for a while, I was flying.

Sometimes running can feel effortless, even after being on your feet for hours already. Other times, you have to just dig deep and suffer. Try to enjoy both in some way, and if it were easy all the time, it would probably become rather boring. There is a point in a 100-mile race that you will think to yourself, "I have covered a lot of miles now". A short feeling of satisfaction before you have the sudden realisation that you still have a lot of miles left to run. From experience, this may hit just after the halfway point. Although the feelings are true and there is a long way to go, you are still moving and chipping away at the miles.

Struggling to eat at around 110km.

The sunrise around 6 am was needed; it gave another big mental boost. From that point, I had roughly another four hours of running to the finish. Still a long time on the feet, and there were a few mental dips, but overall I managed to stay positive and have a strong finish. When you hit single digits of running miles left, the feeling is incredible. I remember feeling excited, tired, and ready to finish, but also not wanting the moment to end.

There will be many ups and downs in a race of this distance, and that is absolutely fine. Enjoy the ups and embrace the downs. It really is about the journey, and that finish line does feel satisfying when crossing over it.

A cold beer at the end is always well earned!

Chris

Coming out of the final checkpoint, and a few miles left to run. My Dad giving me encouragement as I left.

"I just felt like running." - Forrest Gump

Tired, drunk, or maybe both - enjoying a few beers after the race.