Pushing the Limits: Inside My Ultra-Marathon Training Week
Ever Wonder What It Takes to Train for an Ultra? Here’s a Look Inside My Hardest Week
Training for an ultra-marathon isn’t just about logging crazy mileage. It’s about mental resilience, strategic recovery, and knowing how to push the limits—without breaking yourself.
Runners always ask me: “How do you train for something like the Bali Hope Ultra?” So today, I’m pulling back the curtain on Week 14 of my 19-week training block—the highest-volume, most demanding week of my prep.
This isn’t a blueprint for everyone. But if you’ve ever wanted to know what peak ultra training looks like—and what it takes to get there—keep reading.
The Hardest Week of My Training Block
Week 14 was my biggest volume week:
🏃 13 runs – 17.75 hours, 232km total
🏋️ 5 strength sessions – full-body focus, keeping mobility sharp
🔥 Key sessions: A 45-minute tempo at sub-4:00/km pace & a 60km long run
At this stage of the block, fatigue was high, motivation was low, and every session felt like a mental battle.
But ultra training isn’t just about the miles—it’s about managing yourself under extreme fatigue.
Managing Mindset, Mood & Motivation Under Extreme Fatigue
This week wasn’t just physically demanding—it was mentally crushing. The fatigue was real, and staying positive when your body is exhausted is a skill in itself.
Here’s how I kept my mind sharp when motivation dipped:
✅ Tuning into effort, not expectations – Letting go of rigid targets and focusing on how my body felt.
✅ Resetting after every session – Quick downregulation, hydration, and prioritising deep recovery.
✅ Prepping my nutrition in advance – When you’re training at this level, you can’t afford to under-fuel.
The biggest lesson? Pushing through fatigue isn’t about being “mentally tough.” It’s about managing your state—physically and emotionally—so you can keep showing up.
Fueling for 200KM+ Weeks: The Reality of Eating 7,000-12,000 Calories a Day
Running high mileage is one thing. Recovering from it is another.
During this week, my nutrition focus was:
🥔 7,000+ calories on normal training days
🍚 12,000+ calories on long-run day to replenish & prep for back-to-back sessions
💧 Hydration & electrolyte balance to counteract extreme sweat loss
🥩 Whole foods + high-carb meals for sustained energy
Many runners under-eat without realising—and that’s when performance drops.
At this level, food isn’t just fuel. It’s recovery.
Overcoming the Mental Walls: When You Don’t Want to Train
I won’t lie—coming into Week 14, I was mentally cooked.
The previous week had been rough, and my morale was low.
But something changed.
Monday’s run felt smooth, easy. Each day, my body started responding better. Momentum built.
The lesson?
When you don’t feel like training, sometimes the best thing to do is just start. Let the first few steps tell you how you feel. More often than not, the body will follow.
What This Taught Me About Running—And Life
Week 14 taught me that ultra training is a constant balancing act.
Some days, you need to push.
Other days, you need to listen.
Key takeaways:
🔹 Learn to read your body & adapt on the fly.
🔹 Communicate with those around you—big training blocks affect everyone in your life.
🔹 Don’t ignore recovery—what you do outside of running is just as important.
Could You Handle a Week Like This?
Ultra training isn’t just about running far—it’s about building the body and mind to handle it.
What’s the hardest training week you’ve ever had? Drop it in the comments, or tag someone training for their first ultra.
Because the biggest lesson of all? You can always push further than you think.
Train smart, run strong.
Daniel Lucchini