10 Ways to Prepare for 100 Miles

Contrary to logical thought, 100–mile races are a realistic goal for even the average runner. Ian Torrence, veteran ultrarunner and McMillan Running coach, insists that it’s within reach for anybody who’s serious about preparation. “If you really have a love for the sport of running and you like being out there, that’s going to contribute highly to your success,” Torrence says. “If your goal is to stand by the water cooler at work and tell people you ran this crazy 100–mile race, you’re not going to succeed.”

Jessica Cranford, winner of Florida’s Skydive Ultra, put it in more specific terms: “You’re faced with both doubt and determination. But once you’ve crossed the start line, you’ve decided on determination.” (For more, check out Is 100 Miles the New Marathon?)

Here are 10 steps you can take to make reaching 100 miles feel possible.