I vividly remember a conversation I had with a co-worker who also runs ultras a number of years ago. We were discussing our prior weekend runs and he said his was “just a 20 miler”. He paused immediately after saying this with an “OMG what did I just say” look on his face. Then he realized who he was talking with and we both started chuckling. It was funny because “just a 20 miler” is not something one says in polite company. At best, it comes across as braggy. At worst, it’s dismissive of whoever you’re talking with. Ultrarunners are some of the most humble and empathetic people I know. We typically try to downplay our own accomplishments rather than shouting out to the world what we’re capable of.
I think “just a 20 miler” though should be an aspirational goal of all ultrarunners. It’s a nice stepping stone distance to ultras. Getting to a point where a long training run is no big deal really sets you up for success at the longer distances. It also provides a boost to your confidence when toeing the line of an ultra. Just be careful who you talk to about this.
But since we’re in impolite company. . .
Just Another Hundred
There are things you think for a long time before you’re able to voice them out loud. I remember it took me a year after deciding I wanted to run a hundred mile race before even mentioning this to my wife. I’ve probably spent the past couple years thinking of them as “just another hundred”, yet you would never hear such a thing leave my mouth. It wasn’t until I finished a pair of hundreds two weeks apart last month that I finally reached the point where I can say this out loud. I would highlight that this was after finishes #38 and #39. My guess is most people would reach this point well before me.
This isn’t to suggest I necessarily find these races easy. I still get nervous before each hundred. I have low points. And I still make a ridiculous number of mistakes over the course of a run. It’s just that my body is conditioned to the distance and I now have a pretty good idea what to expect. I will acknowledge though that a finish is never guaranteed. There are variables outside my control and I’m sure there will come another race where I have to drop. I’ll also acknowledge that this is a temporary state that will last only as long as I continue to finish these races. A couple DNFs or a year where I don’t run a hundred and it’ll no longer be just another hundred. However the future is guaranteed to no one so I’ll just enjoy where I am right now.
Fingers crossed that I haven’t just jinxed myself for Devil Dog next month.
Another great post Phil.
100 milers are just uniquely challenging beasts. I always have 100 miler dread the week leading up to the race and absolutely never take a finish for granted.
But on the flip side, when you’re really pursuing them, I find I have to adapt that low key, it’s just another 100 or just another race rather than be nervous or apprehensive about it too.
All without taking it for granted.
Such a unique pursuit.
Devil Dog is a really tough one. It has the lowest historical finisher’s rate out of all the VA 100s. Good luck there.
Excellent point. It’s so easy to psych yourself out. Always a tough balance!