I’m training for my first ultra this summer — Nordic Chase — and I’d really like to hear how others deal with the mental side of preparing for something this big.
Right now I train 5 days a week, and honestly… I’m starting to feel mentally drained by it all.
Cycling has always been my mental escape.
When I ride, I normally find peace. It’s the one place where my head goes quiet for a while and everything else fades into the background.
But lately, with all the structure, intervals, long rides, recovery planning, nutrition, and constant focus on performance, that feeling is almost gone.
I know there’s a reason it’s called an “ultra.”
It’s supposed to demand something extraordinary from you, both physically and mentally.
But what surprises me is how much harder the mental side feels compared to the physical training itself.
So I’d really like to ask those of you who either train for ultras or have completed them:
How do you handle the psychological side of ultra training without completely burning out your love for cycling?
Did you go through periods where riding stopped feeling “free”?
And if so, how did you find that spark again while still staying committed to the goal?
I’d genuinely appreciate hearing your experiences.