There are races that aren’t just competitions — they’re life experiences condensed into a single day.
When I first started running, I never imagined I’d be drawn to ultramarathons — those insane distances that seem to push beyond human limits. And yet, the deeper I ventured into the running world, the more I understood there was something special about tackling a 100-mile course — something that went far beyond athletic performance.
I still remember one evening in Borgotaro (Parma), watching runners pass through as they took on The Abbots Way — a race I would later complete myself years down the road — and thinking to myself how strange those athletes seemed.
Indice
The Beginning of the Journey: Beyond the Starting Line
Every ultramarathon begins long before the starter’s gun goes off.
The real journey starts in the months of preparation — in the early mornings spent piling up miles, in the rainy runs, in the muscle aches that become familiar companions. The start line, when you stand there surrounded by others just as crazy as you, is only the celebration of a path you’ve already traveled.
When I prepare for a race like this, my focus isn’t on speed, but on strategy.
How hard should I push in the early miles? How do I handle the climbs? Where can I find moments to slow down and recover?
In an ultramarathon, the perfect pace is the one that gets you to the finish — not the one that makes you feel strong at the start.
The Mountain Test: Confronting Your Limits
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from long races, it’s that your body constantly asks you questions — and your ability to answer them determines your outcome.
Midway through a race, when the sun is high, the heat becomes brutal, and your muscles start to rebel — that’s where the real battle begins.
In one of my most intense mountain experiences, I can recall the exact moment when I realized my running would never be the same again.
I was deep in a scorching canyon, running low on water, with fatigue turning into doubt. Every step felt heavier, and the thought of continuing for dozens more kilometers was crushing. To make things worse, I was running a fever.
But it’s precisely in these moments that you learn the art of adaptation.
I slowed down, changed my strategy, and found a new balance between exhaustion and determination.
The Invisible Support: No One Truly Runs Alone
One thing people often overlook is that, even though ultramarathons are individual sports, no one truly faces them alone. Behind every runner are friends, family, pacers, and volunteers who make every step possible.
In the toughest races, aid stations become oases of survival — places where unfamiliar hands offer you a drink, a smile, a word of encouragement.
The Finish Line: A Goal That Changes Everything
The final stretch of a 100-mile race is a whirlwind of indescribable emotions. You’re exhausted, yet deeply aware that you’re almost there. Each step is a victory in itself, and when you finally see the finish line, something inside you shifts.
It’s not just the joy of completing the race — it’s the awareness that you’ve lived through something extraordinary.
You’ve journeyed through every phase of fatigue and mental resistance, and you’ve come out the other side stronger, more aware, more alive.
Ultramarathons have taught me that it’s not just about running — it’s about facing life with the same determination. Because in the end, every day is a bit like a long race: easy moments, hard moments, the support of those beside us, and the satisfaction of giving everything we had.
And you — what will your next challenge be?