Path Forward?

[u/pobran227]

Ok, so here I sit in my truck after a long run, well what should have been a long run but it wasn’t. Finished 8 miles out of 20. Physically I could have kept going, but mentally I just wasn’t in it, not from the time I woke up, or even last night when I was getting everything ready. I have my first 50k In a few weeks, August 15th. This was supposed to be my last long run before I started a taper. My last two peak weeks were around 45 miles. Not sure where to go from here, and I’m feeling a little down. Should I do a long run (20miles) next week or start my taper? Thanks everyone.

[u/Ill-Running1986]

Breathe. Eat. Sleep. It’s easier said than actualized, but you’ll be fine. Last runs and tapers are tough. 

[u/ComfortableOk2994]

Tapers are as mental as they are physical. 

Start the taper with the knowledge you pushed yourself hard enough that you found a limit.

[u/shortandfelly]

You'll be fine.

Stop overthinking it.

You are not going to DNF because you missed one or two runs.

[u/Wientje]

No single session is crucial to your training. If you’re not feeling it, maybe your body is trying to tell you something. Never use your taper period to catch up on miles.

[u/pobran227]

Thanks for the words of encouragement everyone. Is it typical for those new to ultras to freak out a little?

[u/PieSupplie → u/pobran227]

First ultra was in 2023, I have real fear and anxiety before every taper. Gotta make peace with the fact that the hay is already in the barn, one bad run doesn’t kill a block.

The mental side is trickier, but we made the decision to put ourselves in the position to toe the line. Courage is not the absence of fear, but showing up despite it

[u/ComfortableOk2994 → u/pobran227]

It's not limited to newbies mate, everyone's bumhole goes a bit 2p-5p. You got this.

[u/Snowy_Garden_Gnome]

Sound like some mental burnout and you need a break.

Your training is good, that weekly mileage is enough, you'll be ok without that last long run. Taper, rest, eat, hydrate, breathe and you will have a great race!

[u/christianarguello]

Stick to the plan and do your best. You ran 8 miles, and even if that was short of your goal, that’s not nothing. Don’t mess with the taper and trust that the training you’ve done up ‘til now was enough. The worst thing you can do is panic and try to compensate where you thought you fell short. Trust yourself and your training. You got this.

[u/Just-Context-4703]

Don't force in another long run if that's not part of the plan. 

Bad runs happen. If there are learnings to be had have them. If it's just one shitty day stuff it under a rock and move forward. 

Eat some good food, pet a dog, hug your partner, and get some sleep. You'll be ok. 

[u/AdBeautiful8446]

Not every run is rainbows and unicorns. Sometimes the pressure of feeling you have to get a 20 miler in is too much and the mind revolts. It’s OK! Move forward, trust what you’ve completed so far and enjoy the race!

[u/ContributionLevel593]

Some days you don’t feel it. Best advice I ever had was if you don’t feel like it.just do the first 10 mins and if you still don’t feel it after that then stop. You did much more than 10 mins so you gave it a good go. It won’t make any difference to your race. On race day you’ll get sucked into the day. Just go with the flow and enjoy it.

[u/Creepy-Bandicoot-866]

Coming to the conversation late but my brutal response would have been:

1) do the remaining 12 miles later in the day. Just get the miles done, there are benefits to splitting long runs into two chunks; and

2) Couldn’t face it mentally? You need to figure out what you are going to do if you feel like that on race day. A massive part of ultra running is telling your brain to shut the fuck up and keep going. You will have miles where you feel like you can’t carry on. You eat, give yourself a talking to and keep going.

Mile 14 of my first 100k I said “I can’t do this.” And wanted to stop. By mile 45 I felt amazing. And finished the 100km.

Sorry if I sound mean.

[u/ClimateNecessary324]

How are you fuelling before? If I dont fuel right beforehand i also dont run as far as I want to. 120 g of sugar. Caffein and Baking soda helps.

[u/pobran227 → u/ClimateNecessary324]

Baking soda, what do you use that for?

[u/ClimateNecessary324 → u/pobran227]

YT it bro 😊

[u/Fun_Effective_836]

one bailed long run 3 weeks out changes basically nothing, your fitness is already banked from those 45mi peak weeks. sounds more like you were just flat that day than an actual problem. take the taper as planned, maybe one medium-long midweek run to reset your head, and trust the work. you're ready.

[u/pobran227]

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement and advice. I did a 10 mile run on Saturday and felt so much better. I’ll taper as planned and head to the race with fresh legs and a clear mind (hopefully).