My “Plan” to Run 100 Miles

“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.” -Mike Tyson-

Ok folks, we are less than two weeks out from the Allison Woods Halloween Hobble 100 Mile Race. I’ve planned my nutrition, my pace, my clothing, my first aid kit, contingencies, my positive self-talk, and anything else that I could think of. There is no guarantee that you’ll finish a race of this distance, so the goal is to put as much as possible in your favor. You control what you can control, and you don’t worry about what you can’t control. Then you show up, try and stick to your plan for as long as you can, and then just gut it out when the wheels come off. That’s why I like Iron Mike’s quote up there. You will get punched in the face, several times, and the difference between finishing and not finishing, is what you do AFTER you get punched in the face.

So, in that vein, I have put together a list that I will print, laminate, and post at my aid station with my crew. When I get punched in the face, I will read it as a reminder of what I need to do if I am going to finish this race and get my beloved buckle. And while I have helped others accomplish this goal, and certainly been around these types of events, I am still humble enough to look for advice.

I am sharing my list here, with you, so that I can get feedback and add any nuggets that you give me to the list. This way, not only will I get great advice from the running community, I will have some of you with me out there on the course. My success will be your success too! So please, leave your advice in the comments. Here is what I have so far:

• Eat and drink like it’s your job! No screwing around here, you need calories and electrolytes.
• Don’t start fast, like a maniac, and don’t be a wimp at the end. Just keep moving…
• When you think you’re smarter than the plan and want to change it, don’t. You’re stupid, you just paid to run 100 miles. Stick to the plan.
• Don’t let small things become big things. That pebble in your shoe at mile 5 is a baseball size blister at mile 40. Take care of business; immediately.
• When you want to quit, go one more mile. You will bonk and recover and bonk and recover… This isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. No wait; it’s like 4 marathons.
• Beware of the chair. It’s an aid station, not a rest stop. Get in, do what you need to do, then get out.
• Make mile 90 your b@*ch! Why mile 90? Because why not?
• Run the mile you’re in. Until mile 90, see above…
• Know your why. You will not get motivated at mile 75, you need to have a deep understanding of why you are doing this that carries you through the darkness. Remember, this will pass, and you will recover.

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Questions, comments, feedback? Please leave them in the comments section BELOW and we can have a discussion!