What I Told My Brain During My 100 Mile Trail Run

When people ask me what it was like to run 100 miles at once, I feel awkward when I say that it was… get this… easier than expected.

I know, what a cocky, bro thing to say! But I stand by it to this day.

Yes, this was a massive accomplishment, and I don’t want to minimize the effort needed to finish.

But the reality was that everything I expected to be a challenge wasn’t, and the hardest parts were the challenges I couldn’t prepare for (falling asleep while running, constant mild hallucinations, and the emotional toll of running with a friend who had her own struggles).

I credit feeling so strong throughout all 100 miles to the mental prep that took place for months leading up to the race.

Physically, I’m aware that my body can push far beyond whatever it’s “trained for.” I knew when I signed up that finishing would be a mental game.

Whether you have an ultramarathon of your own or you’re just trying to make it through the workweek, feel free to snag one of these affirmations I used and loved during my race:

“You’re already doing it.” 💪

Fun fact: My very first stab at self-employment was after a birth doula training. I learned about what folks often say when labor feels overwhelming. A common cry is, “I can’t do this.” And yet… they’re already doing it. They’re in the hard parts at that moment. I latch onto this sentiment in running, knowing that when I’m struggling, it’s because I’m already doing it. And that feels less scary than thinking about what’s ahead.

“You have nowhere else to be this weekend.” 📅

Type A people, do you relate? During stressful weeks, I get mentally caught up in planning, efficiency, and being on time. But during the 100 mile run? I literally had nothing else to do. The entire weekend was blocked for just one job: putting one foot in front of the other. Narrowing my focus to know that I had absolutely no other place to be or task to do was freeing.

“You’re doing this because it’s hard.” 🏃‍♀️

Honestly, if I’d thought that running 100 miles would be easy, I wouldn’t have signed up. I’m a sucker for a challenge, especially an outdoor, physical one. Mid-race, when we bumped into mini-challenges like a tough hill, creek crossings, or searing shin pain, I reminded myself that those challenges were the entire point of even being out there. I chose to do this because I knew challenge would pay off.

“Give it time to get better.” 🕒

Often, a challenge can snowball in our brains to be far bigger than it is. Hannah (adventure BFF who ran with me) gave me this reminder before we started the race. It’s easy for a brain to catastrophize: “Ugh, that bout of on-trail diarrhea? Might as well drop out since it’ll get worse.” “Your pace is behind the cut-off, so you won’t make it".” “This leg cramp will drag you down; there are so many miles left.” ← But, what if we gave all those some time to see if they resolve? Because chances are, they will.

“Conservative and consistent.” 🧠

Our goal? To finish the race, by the cut-off. We had no specific time or outcome in mind. But we did have process goals. We wanted to eat 300-500 calories/hour. We wanted to drink 500-600 mg electrolytes/hour. We wanted to stop at every aid station and say thank you to every volunteer. We knew that in order to finish the race, we needed to be conservative and consistent with our process goals and our pacing. (It isn’t a sprint, it’s 4 marathons back to back. 😉)

The race gave me the language, but everyday life gives me the reminders.

When I’m in the middle of hosting a live event and a critical voice pops in my head? Well, I’m already doing the damn thing, so keep going.

When I’m celebrating a friend’s birthday and my to-do list sneaks into my thoughts? I have nowhere else to be right now, so be present.

When I’m looking at the cut-off and route for the gravel bike race I have in June and the math isn’t mathing omg how the hell am I gonna finish? News flash: I signed up because it’s supposed to be a challenge.

When I launch a new work offer to crickets? Give it time to pivot; I’ll shift my messaging and see what happens.

And when I’m approaching 2025 with some sparkly level-ups in mind? I’m far more likely to succeed if I keep my goals conservative and my actions consistent. Even writing this damn newsletter: