470: Your First Ultramarathon

Thinking About Running Your First Ultramarathon? Start Here.

Have you ever watched an ultramarathon or seen someone post about running 50K, 50 miles, or even 100 miles and thought, There's no way I could ever do that?

You're not alone.

For many runners, an ultramarathon feels like it's reserved for a special group of people. The ones who are naturally tougher, mentally stronger, or somehow built differently. But after watching Kevin complete multiple ultramarathons and talking with so many runners over the years, I've realized that's one of the biggest misconceptions out there.

Running an ultramarathon isn't about being extraordinary. It's about preparing consistently, staying patient, and learning to trust the process. Whether you've been dreaming about your first ultra or you're simply curious about what it takes, I hope this gives you a different perspective, not just on ultrarunning, but on chasing any big goal.

Start With Your "Why"

Before you worry about training plans, weekly mileage, or what gear you need, ask yourself one simple question:

Why do you want to run an ultramarathon?

This question matters more than most people realize.

When Kevin decided to run his first ultra during COVID, it wasn't simply because races had been canceled and he needed something new to train for. He wanted to see what he was capable of. That deeper purpose gave meaning to every long run, every early morning, and every difficult training day.

Because here's the reality. There will be moments during an ultramarathon when you're tired, uncomfortable, and wondering why you signed up.

If your only motivation is crossing the finish line or earning a belt buckle, it's going to be hard to keep moving when things get tough. But if your goal is becoming stronger, building resilience, or proving to yourself that you can do hard things, those reasons will carry you much farther.

The same is true no matter what distance you're training for. A meaningful "why" helps you stay consistent long after motivation fades.

Get Curious About The Process

One of the biggest lessons I've learned through running is that the finish line isn't what transforms you.

The training does.

It's easy to believe that once we accomplish a goal we'll suddenly feel more confident or more capable. But confidence isn't something you receive at the finish line. It's something you build every time you show up, especially on the days you don't feel like it.

Every strength session.

Every long run.

Every time you adjust instead of quitting when life gets busy.

Those small moments add up to something much bigger than a race result.

That's why training for an ultramarathon is about so much more than preparing for one event. It's an opportunity to become someone who's patient, consistent, and willing to keep moving forward even when things aren't perfect.

You Don't Need Endless Miles

One of the biggest myths about ultramarathons is that you have to run an unbelievable amount of mileage every week.

While you'll certainly spend more time running than someone training for a shorter race, successful ultramarathon training isn't just about doing more. It's about training smarter.

Many runners build endurance through back-to-back long runs instead of trying to complete one enormous run every weekend. Strength training, mobility work, fueling, and recovery all become just as important as the miles themselves.

That's something I think applies to every runner.

It's easy to assume that running more is always the answer, but your body doesn't simply adapt to mileage. It adapts to the total stress you place on it. Your sleep, work stress, nutrition, and recovery all influence how well you respond to training.

The goal isn't to do the most. The goal is to do what helps you improve while staying healthy enough to keep training consistently.

Patience Wins Every Time

If there's one piece of race-day advice Kevin would give every first-time ultrarunner, it's this:

Start slower than you think you should.

It sounds almost too simple, but it's one of the hardest things to do.

At the beginning of a race, you feel fresh. The excitement is high, everyone around you is moving quickly, and it's tempting to keep up.

But ultramarathons reward patience.

The runners who conserve their energy early are usually the ones still moving well hours later.

Honestly, that's a lesson I wish more runners would apply outside of racing too.

We often approach training the same way we approach New Year's resolutions. We go all in, trying to do everything perfectly, and then wonder why we burn out a few weeks later.

Sustainable progress almost always comes from consistency, not intensity.

Get Ready to Experiment

Ultramarathon training encourages experimentation.

Your long runs become opportunities to practice everything you'll need on race day.

You learn what foods work for you.

You figure out your hydration strategy.

You test your gear.

You discover how your body responds when conditions aren't ideal.

Those experiences build confidence because you're solving problems before they become race-day surprises.

Instead of seeing difficult training runs as failures, try viewing them as valuable feedback. Every lesson you learn during training helps you feel more prepared when race day arrives.

The Lessons Go Beyond Running

Even if you never run an ultramarathon, I think there are lessons here that apply to all of us.

Big goals don't require perfection.

They require consistency.

They require patience.

They require a willingness to adapt when life doesn't go according to plan.

Whether you're training for your first 5K, chasing a marathon PR, or simply trying to become healthier, the process is remarkably similar.

You keep showing up.

You learn from your mistakes.

You trust that small actions repeated over time create meaningful change.

That's how runners improve.

And honestly, that's how people grow too.

If you've been wondering whether an ultramarathon is possible for you, don't start by asking whether you're tough enough.

Instead, ask yourself whether you're willing to embrace the journey.

Because that's where the real transformation happens.

The miles will challenge you. The training will stretch you. But the greatest reward isn't the finish line.

It's becoming someone who knows they can keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Whether your next goal is an ultramarathon, a marathon, or simply becoming more consistent with your running, the same principle applies.

You don't have to be extraordinary.

You just have to keep taking the next step.