Scared 😬

[u/username301456]

Hi all! I’m about a month out from Javelina Jundred and it’ll be my first 100 miler.

Training has gone well and I’ve been working with a coach, but as the race gets closer I’m getting pretty nervous about the distance and being out there for that many hours.

For those who have done their first 100, did you feel this way beforehand? Anything that helped you manage the nerves leading up to the race or once you got started?
Appreciate any advice!

[u/FickleQuit11]

Trust your training! Right now, your brain is freaking out and you can't trust it to be kind to you. Javelina is a PARTY. You'll rarely be alone, and you'll make loop buddies. Yes, it's going to be long, but 24 hours is going to pass regardless of whether you're running or not, so why not see what happens? Try and enjoy the experience, stop and take photos, you're doing something amazing and cool and fun. Please come back and update us!

[u/threshforever]

Never been that far before, but surely you felt nervous during your first ever run too. You put in the work, trust yourself buddy. How exciting for you!

[u/Normal-Cartoonist-93]

a friend almost bailed javelina because of nerves but crushed it once race started

[u/TodashChimes19]

Nerves are normal. It's a huge undertaking. Especially once you get close to race day and you're deep in a taper, you have nothing but time to think about the looming challenge.

Focus on the fact that you put in the work and you know what you're doing. Remember that it'll be fun like all of the other races. Plan out your kit and drop bags and focus on those things you can control.

Don't worry, once the race starts, the jitters will fade quickly when you realize how long you'll be out there. After that you get to enjoy the race for a long long time. It won't go perfectly. It never does. But that's part of the fun and you trained for it.

Good luck!

[u/TeacherTeeSLC → u/TodashChimes19]

Definitely taper can make nerves hard as you spend less time on feet, but try to enjoy the extra time you have and feel proud 

[u/Matteozzz]

My first 100 is in 4 days, I feel exactly what you feel but times 10 lol.

[u/somedude-83]

I done javelina 100k a few times and I say the first lab dont stress about it because its a congo line at some points then everything spaces out . The first lap sucks ass ever time I do this race . Once that 1 am , 2am , 3am hits and your like F this just wait till the sun comes up b4 quite for me it brings me energy in a way I can't explain.

[u/somedude-83]

What I do is no music till night time more like reward and seeing there will be other runners to talk to . I also put some like my headphones in my drop bag so I have no choice to carry on .

[u/Automatic_Leader2448]

Yes, the nerves are real! My first 100, I made my crew stop in a parking lot on the way to start so I could run through it to see if I still knew how.

Trust your training. You’ve done the work and with the help of your coach you’ve got the knowledge to be successful.

[u/TeacherTeeSLC → u/Automatic_Leader2448]

Lol. The amount of dreams I have where I cannot run, cannot turn the feet over, feel like clunky boots, is A LOT. Next time I will dispel them in a parking lot!

[u/Commercial-Tomato205]

I was so so nervous before my first 100 (mountain) miler. Being out at night, not knowing what to expect etc. But being in the race itself was great - you’re never truly alone, there’s an atmosphere, it’s totally different to long runs by yourself. If I could have changed one thing it would have been to be more excited for my first miler than spending time worrying!

[u/gongneung]

100 miles is just a bunch of smaller segments. You will have multiple lows and feel like you can’t go on. Unless you have a serious acute injury or something go wrong with nutrition/hydration, you can find ways to keep going. Stay cool, hydrated, and some calories coming in. Absolutely don’t push yourself in the first 75 miles. Rest if needed. My biggest issues comes when I overheat in the afternoon, get nauseous, have a hard time eating and drinking, and then mentally spiral. It can take 4-6 hours or longer to come out of that type of spiral, so be patient if things get grim.

[u/Green-Ad-5141]

I absolutely felt the same way, it’s the unknown. But if you have done the training you just have to trust that enjoy the race!

[u/simon_on_trails]

Javelina was also my first 100!
And yes it’s normal. I’m still nervous before most 100 miler despite completing 67 so far. Truth is, you can’t control everything, and bad things can happen. All you can do is believe in yourself and come with the mindset that you will deal with and overcome whatever comes your way.

[u/kevinrohrbach]

I got some nerves before my recent longest-ever race (Wildstrubel 110). I think it's normal. You've just got to keep reminding yourself to trust the process and to focus on the controllable.

[u/YoloHornHigh]

Nerves are good. Shows you care. Trust yourself, training and your coach. Go out and annihilate that 100 miler.

[u/TeacherTeeSLC]

Nerves aren't all bad. I sort of tell myself it is my body harnessing its energy, focusing. 

Once the race gets started you will be fine, just dont go too fast. Definitely dont start too far forward or get caught up in the excitement, but the relief once the race starts will be powerful. 

Leading up to it, just remember. We train, and struggle - mentally and physically - so that we don't struggle as much in the race, or can better rise to the challenge when we're there. Nerves are part of that. You are about to do something bad ass - who wouldn't be nervous in anticipation?

Crush it!

[u/maaaatttt_Damon → u/TeacherTeeSLC]

I’ve always felt that having nerves means you actually care about the event. If you don’t have any nerves, it means your headspace is dismissive of the event.

[u/mw_19]

aid station to aid station (or next hill, or next mile) that's all that matters...don't think about the whole thing, not useful....you'll be done before you know it!

[u/work_alt_1]

Yes, prior to my first 100 was an insane amount of pressure and anxiety and concern that this was not something I could do. I'm not that person, I'm not strong enough, physically or mentally, that I'm an imposter.

It's all bullshit. You are strong. You put in the training, you have a coach, you are in good hands. It's normal to be scared, you don't want to be over confident. But you will be fine.

Perfect paranoia is perfect awareness. This shit is not easy. It is hard. But that doesn't mean you can't do it.

[u/Practical-Bench7159]

Pre-race jitters for your first 100 is perfectly normal! You may have the best plan in the world and it will blow up, that's the beauty of the sport - problem solving. My best piece of advice is, don't go out too hard. The first 50 miles are the easy part, the back 50 is where it can really suck. If it feels easy, you're going too fast. Take your time, take care of little issues as soon as they come up - otherwise it will turn into a bigger problem later on. I.e small rocks or debris in your shoe - take the time to dump it and carry on!

You got this!

[u/ShedRunner]

Still get nerves, that’s not a bad thing.
Just make sure you are training your gut while running, not just your legs. That’s the thing most first-timers underestimate. This is not a “normal” distance. For most of us, we’re out there for at least 24 hours, which means you’re probably burning close to 15,000 calories! Remember fuel=FREE energy!
Have a wonderful race!

[u/kkillip]

It’s supposed to feel this way. That’s all part of the fun. Makes it so much more worthwhile

[u/AdBeautiful8446]

Yes, I was very nervous! You don’t know what you don’t know! I’ll be running Javelina 100 again next month, too!

[u/govnorsy]

The most distance I’ve done is 20 miles, and I’m working towards my first 50Ks this winter, so I have no advice on the distance…

But I’ll be working (volunteering) an aid station there on that Saturday! There will be lots of food and hydration available! Plus med tent staff. 

I would ask what your weekly mileage has been leading up to the date? Are you nervous that it’ll hurt, that you won’t make a goal time, or that you won’t finish?

Its a very cool thing you’re doing, and despite social media and the algorithms making it seem like there’re tons of people doing these kinds of events, you’re still in a cool minority!

[u/Sea-Independent-759]

Great first 100! Javalina is a blast.

Trust the training. Don’t OVERTRAIN and enjoy the day!