In this video, I’m sharing another piece of my 100 mile training journey: a 12 hour training run filled with heat, chafing, mental battles, and a lot of lessons.
Ultra marathon training is not always pretty, and this run was such a reminder of that. Long runs like this are about so much more than just getting the miles done. They teach you how to problem solve, how to stay calm when things get uncomfortable, and how to keep moving when the day gets hard.
Watch the video below:
A 12 hour training run for a 100 mile race
This 12 hour run was part of my training for a 100 mile race, and it gave me a chance to practice time on feet, fueling, pacing, gear, heat management, and staying mentally steady through a long day.
When you are training for an ultra marathon, runs like this are where you learn what actually works. It is one thing to have a plan on paper, but it is another thing to test that plan in real conditions.
Running in the heat
Heat can make everything feel harder. During this run, I had to deal with the reality of moving for hours in warm conditions and paying attention to what my body needed.
Heat training is not just physical. It is mental too. You have to stay aware, adjust when needed, and avoid letting frustration take over when the conditions are not ideal.
Chafing and the not-so-glamorous side of ultra training
This run also brought some of the less glamorous parts of ultra running, including chafing. It is one of those things that can seem small at first, but over several hours, it can become a huge problem.
That is why long training runs matter. They help you figure out your gear, clothing, hydration, and body care before race day.
Mental battles during a long run
The mental side of a 12 hour run is such a big part of the experience. There are moments when you feel strong, and there are moments when you have to talk yourself through the next mile, the next loop, or even just the next few minutes.
This run reminded me that 100 mile training is not about feeling good the entire time. It is about learning how to keep going, how to adjust, and how to trust yourself through the hard parts.
Lessons from this training run
Every long run gives you information. Some runs build confidence, some expose what needs work, and some do both.
This 12 hour training run taught me a lot about heat, gear, mindset, and the reality of preparing for a 100 mile race. It was hard, but it was also one of those runs that made me feel more prepared for what is ahead.
Watch the full video
You can watch the full 100 mile training video above and follow along as I share the real side of a 12 hour training run.