How to Choose Your First 100-Mile Race

(Photo: John Stewy)

“I’m considering doing my first 100 but overwhelmed with choosing the first one. I know some of what I don’t want. Any tips for choosing the first one?”

Last week, I covered the biggest mistake runners make when choosing their first 100-mile race - going for the “easiest.”

The strategy doesn’t do you any favors in the long run. Among other things, you become dependent on finding easy races.

So today, I’m covering how to choose a first 100 with the same long term goal in mind - helping you become the most confident ultrarunner you can be.

Here’s a simple five-step process.

1. Toss the overwhelm.

Overwhelm comes from the paralysis of thinking there’s a right answer, and simply choosing the wrong race will cost you a finish.

But in reality, races are neutral - they aren’t good or bad, best or worst, right or wrong. 

Every 100 has first-timers and veterans that DNF. 

Every 100 has first-timers and veterans that finish.

So it’s not the race that gives you a finish - it’s your belief in yourself at that race.

2. Believe you can make the best decision.

You’ll be tempted to gloss over this step but don’t. It’s the most important of the five.

Because this is where you start building the trust in yourself to make decisions, power through rough patches in races, and run the bigger, bolder races you’re dreaming of.

You can’t get that trust last minute in the moment you need it. You build it - or not - step by step as you go in this sport.

If you’re too uncomfortable deciding for yourself and feel compelled to get other’s input before you decide, at least be honest with yourself. 

Do you need others’ opinions?

No - I didn’t.

Could you make this decision on your own? 

Yes - I did.

Who do you want to learn to rely on? 

Trust me - you want to start relying on your own decisions now.

3. Define what YOU want in a race. 

Again, this is your list, not anyone else’s, and it can be anything you want it to be. 

Some starter things to consider, in random order: 

• Entry qualifications and whether you meet them

• Scenery

• Travel

• Flat or hilly

• Footing - technical, pavement, etc.

• Loops, point-to-point, or something in between

• Typical weather

• Cutoff time

• Time of year

Ask yourself - if you could have anything, what would you want?

4. Find one that fits your calendar and as many of your wants as possible.

Here’s my favorite shopping list, Stan Jensen’s invaluable website.

It’s the one I used to choose Superior 100 as my first, back in 1997.

The bonus of doing this research is you’ll see what other races are out there, and start a wish list of the ones you want to do in the future.

5. Make whatever race you choose the right choice.

Do NOT indulge in second guessing. 

NONE.

Because there is no wrong choice.

Remember Step 1? It’s not the race - it’s your belief in yourself at that race.

If the right choice is the one that moves you a step closer to finishing your first 100-mile race, then any decision is going to be the right one.

Every decision and every step gets you closer to a finish, whether at this race or another. 

If you finish, great!

If you DNF, you have lots of new data and experience you didn’t have to apply to your next.

Bottom line, ultramarathons, especially 100-mile races, are a series of decisions.

Now’s the time to start looking within and building the self-trust you’ll want in the 100’s ahead.

If you’re considering a first 100 or you have one coming up on the schedule, it’s time to get strong at the mental 80%. That takes practice too.

Email here or DM me to set up a free consult call to see how we’d put this 80% to work FOR you.

You’ll get better results and build skills you'll have for all the races ahead.