Ultra running isn’t just about miles—it’s a mind game as much as a physical test. We’ve all heard the phrase “running is 90% mental,” but how true is that really during a grueling 100K race? In this post, let’s unpack the relationship between mental grit and physical training, explore real-world examples ultra runners face, and help you decide where to focus your effort for peak performance. As always, we’ll tie it all back to your training log and how it can guide smarter choices.
Building the Engine: The Case for Physical Training
There’s no getting around it—if your body isn’t ready, no amount of determination will carry you 50 miles. Physical training lays the foundation. You need endurance, muscle resilience, aerobic efficiency, and optimized recovery strategies. What’s more, consistent training reduces injury risk and boosts execution on race day.
Let’s talk about ultra runner Alex, who used their training log to monitor weekly mileage and identify when fatigue crept in. By tracking heart rate variability and recovery markers, Alex knew precisely when to taper and when to push. Without that structured approach, their first 100K would have ended at mile 40—not at the finish line.
Key takeaway: Your engine doesn’t build itself. Long runs, tempo workouts, hill sessions—these are all critical. Logging them ensures your progress isn’t just hopeful; it’s measurable.
Cultivating Grit: The Mental Side of the Ultra Game
Have you ever hit a wall not because your legs gave out, but because your mind whispered, “I can’t”? That’s where mental toughness steps in. Mental training isn’t about ignoring pain—it’s about managing it. Strategies like visualization, mindfulness, and even mantra repetition help ultra runners stay locked in when the body protests.
Take Maria, an experienced ultra athlete who used a mindset journal alongside her training log. Each week she noted not only what she ran, but how she felt—mentally. Before a 50-mile trail race, she practiced visualizing the toughest segments. When those moments came in real life, they felt familiar. She executed with calm confidence.
Key takeaway: Just like tempo runs, resilience drills can be practiced. Integrate mindset work into your weekly training rhythm. Train your brain along with your body.
Real-World Showdown: When Grit and Fitness Collide
Let’s compare two ultra runners: Sam and Jess. Sam is all about mileage, crushing 100-mile weeks like it’s their hobby. Jess, by contrast, runs a bit less but includes mental conditioning—journaling, meditation, even cold showers to train discomfort tolerance.
Race day comes. By mile 30, they’re neck and neck. At mile 60, Sam cramps and starts walking—not due to a lack of calories, but mental burnout. Jess recognizes the pain, breathes through it, and keeps moving. Jess finishes strong. Sam drops at aid station six.
Points to ponder: Grit won that day—but Jess’s success was built on both mental steel AND enough physical prep to get to the aid stations in one piece. The lesson? You need both. But the balance is personal. Read your training log to figure out your weak links. Adjust accordingly.
Training Logs: The Bridge Between Mind and Body
This is where fitgit.me shines. Your training log isn’t just a journal of paces and miles—it’s a performance roadmap. Keep tabs on your mental notes, post-run insights, and nutrition along with your splits and cadence. Digest patterns over time, and you’ll unlock the subtle signals showing whether it’s your legs or your mindset that needs work.
Want a competitive edge? Start logging your mood pre- and post-run. Track routes that challenge you mentally. Note how sleep and stress affect your drive. Layer your training data with self-awareness, and you’ll become a smarter, stronger runner.
Conclusion: So, Which Matters More?
Here’s the truth: Mental grit and physical training aren’t in competition. They’re teammates. You may get through your first ultra on heart alone, or your base fitness might carry you once despite mental lapses—but if you’re chasing longevity and excellence, you need both in your toolbox.
Use your training log as more than a numbers archive. Use it as a decision-making tool. Identify gaps, document wins, reflect on setbacks—and make your next race your smartest yet.
Always remember to TTFBs!!!
