Ultras Aren’t Always Rainbows

/May 19, 2025

Training for a 100 mile race is a lot like being an entrepreneur. There is a connection between endurance training and the entrepreneur mindset that I have been able to lean into. You can read all the posts, watch all the videos but nothing will prepare you for the journey like doing but there is a catch to it. The unicorns and rainbows aren’t always there. Moments when the rain clouds show up are unavoidable.

The Consistent Companion: Hard

I have been racing 100 mile ultras since 2014. There are 8 buckles on my resume and a DNF as well. Each one off those training blocks was different from the others but the one consistent through them all was the HARD. The hard run, the lack of desire to run or lift or drink another protein shake.

These things are hard and no matter how long you are in them, they are always going to be hard. Being as prepared as you can be for those hard moments is what can make or break your training or race.

Rejection Is Part of the Journey

I mentioned being an entrepreneur and training for 100 miles being similar. And they are. I get told no when I pitch Run Tri Bike as a marketing partner to potential clients. This happens A LOT. The one concept that I keep coming back to is that I am one step closer to a yes after every no. It means something to be told no. It is an opportunity to learn, to understand what could be changed and how to move forward. Sound similar? It should.

Every run that goes sideways or every strength workout that is skipped is a lesson. What you get from that lesson is how you move forward. This is how you can build that mental strength to move forward. Learning. Paying attention. Understanding that not everything will be perfect, despite what Suzy in Sarasota or Larry in Lincoln will post about on Instagram or TikTok.

**Doing It Your Way**

And this is the rub, isn’t it? You see the highlight reels and you wonder if you’re doing it right. I can tell you that I am doing it right because I am doing it my way. This may not seem like a big deal but it is. The reason it is a big deal is because the moment you start doing things for others you will start the decline to hate what you are doing. You will start to resent the training and wish you hadn’t embarked on this journey.

Do it for yourself but don’t forget to surround yourself with other people that want what is best for you. I have been fortunate to connect with the Saturday Stairs group. Lori found them online and we took the chance to see how it would go.

Turns out it was the best thing I could do for my training. The connection to the people has been fun, the workouts are much different than running and the post workout coffee and conversation are fun.

Finding Strength in Community

I have made friends at the workout. Some are high-fives and atta boys during the workout, others have become Strava connections and others have become DM friends on Instagram. That was not something I expected to have happen but it has given me a lot of happiness and during a training cycle for a 100 miler – that is needed.

I have also grown closer with my sister during this training cycle. My sister is not a runner and lives across the country. That hasn’t stopped us from connecting and just talking. It is nice to get away from the paces and miles and metrics of training and just talk about life. It is a great reminder that not everybody cares about your Strava account and that they just care about you.

As we move into June, those connections and conversations will become even more important. June is when the specificity of training will start. This means that there will be double run days. This means that the strength training will be hyper focused. It also means that there will be more focused recovery through swimming and cycling.

I will go back to my reference about endurance training and the entrepreneur mindset being in connection with each other. In training, having a supportive community makes a big difference. In running a business, being surrounded by a team that will support your ideas but also tell you when they are terrible is important. That combination will often lead to success.

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The Gift of the Base

These past few months have been base building and I’m happy with where I am at. My legs are stronger thanks to the hill repeats, Saturday Stairs workouts and treadmill incline focused work. That strength will translate well when it comes to miles 60 through 100.

Having built the base will also help me as I go from 25-ish mile weeks to 30 to 35 mile mile weeks. I am a low volume runner and will probably top out around 45 during peak weeks but knowing that I am ready as the specific training starts is a huge confidence boost.

The double run days are my favorite. This cycle will include an easy run in the morning and a power climb in the evening while my legs are tired. That simple act of climbing on tired legs will make that climb at mile 85 feel accomplishable.

Racing During the Build? Maybe Not.

Over the past four months while going through this base building I have realized one thing about myself. Racing during a training cycle isn’t for me. At least not a long race. In early April, I ran a 50 miler and it felt great to see what my body could do. The downside was two weeks of recovery.

In the base building phase, that isn’t a problem but doing specific training that is not something that I want to do. If I race during this period then I will be looking at half-marathon or marathon trail races. It will give me the opportunity to get into the adrenaline rush, using aid stations and more time on the trail. These distances will also give me the opportunity to avoid having to recover for multiple weeks.

A Future Worth Training For

As I mentioned above, doing my training for myself has been a big change for me. In the past, I would have looked for kudos on strava or likes on Instagram. Those are wonderful in the moment but i”m looking to the future where I can look back on my training, after the race, and be proud of what I did…..for my race.

Going through the process of training for an ultra endurance race, like a 100 miler, is bolstered by having an entrepreneur mindset. One where you are doing it for yourself, testing out different components, finding the support that keeps you going and ultimately learning from your mistakes.

Neither of these things are easy but remember to Enjoy The Journey along the way.

Jason Bahamundi Run Tri Bike Magazine Owner Triathlete Ultra Runner Trail Runner

Jason Bahamundi, founder of Run Tri Bike, is a passionate and accomplished endurance athlete dedicated to proving that there is a spot at the starting line for everybody and every body. With a background deeply rooted in the world of triathlons, running, and cycling, Jason has not only excelled in his personal athletic endeavors but is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive world of endurance sports. This led him to establish Run Tri Bike, a platform that serves as a hub for enthusiasts to connect, share experiences, and access valuable resources. Jason's genuine enthusiasm for endurance sports, continues to inspire individuals to pursue their goals and embrace the transformative power of an endurance sports lifestyle.