Last year, I finished Batur Trail 30K tired… but also kind of annoyed with myself.
Not because it was hard. It was hard. Volcanic rock, long climbs, heat, all of it.
But because deep down I knew I’d left time out there. Not fitness. Not legs. My head.
I remember crossing the line thinking, yeah, that hurt… but I didn’t really race this. I survived it. I guessed my way through it. I respected it maybe a bit too much.
So when I signed up again, this wasn’t about redemption or proving anything online. This was personal. I wanted to see what happens when you show up knowing the course, trusting your training, and not panicking when things get uncomfortable.
Same trail. Same distance. Very different runner.
And somehow… I took 50 minutes off my time.
This isn’t a “run harder” story. It’s a think better, train smarter, stop sabotaging yourself story.
Here’s exactly what changed.
The Mental Shift: From Doubt to Confidence
Last year, at the starting line, I felt like I was carrying a huge weight of self-doubt. The course looked intimidating, and I had no idea how I’d handle the tough parts. I was a rookie, unsure of my pacing and overwhelmed by the challenge.
This year? Totally different story. I walked up to the start line with confidence. I had that race in my head for an entire year, and I was ready. I’d already run the course, and that gave me a huge edge. I knew exactly what to expect, and trusting the work I’d put in since last year made all the difference.
I wasn’t just aiming to finish. I wanted to do better. I wanted to prove that the effort I’d put in, both physically and mentally, was going to pay off.
Training Smarter: The Key to Slashing 50 Minutes
The biggest difference between last year and this year was how I trained. Last year, I didn’t quite know what I was doing and went into the race a bit underprepared. After struggling through the hills and battling fatigue, I realized exactly what I needed to focus on to come back stronger.
So, I built a training plan that was focused on what had held me back: endurance, elevation, and mental toughness. I made it a point to train on trails that were similar to the ones I’d face in the race. I ran long distances with elevation, really pushing myself on the steep climbs that make BaturlTrail such a beast.
For months, my long runs had me climbing mountains, doing 20-25K with over 1000 meters of elevation gain. These runs toughened up my legs for the technical sections and built the strength I needed for those gnarly hills on race day.
I also worked on speed and power. I added interval training to my routine, helping me push the pace when I needed to. Strength training became key, and I focused on building my lower body for the climbs. The consistency in my training, paired with smarter pacing, gave me the edge I needed.
But the biggest shift was learning how to pace myself for the course. I knew where to hold back and where to push. And that made all the difference on race day.
Training Strategy and Consistency
My success this year wasn’t about running harder; it was about training smarter and staying consistent.
Over the year, I gradually increased my mileage and focused on a mix of endurance, strength, and elevation.
Early on, I kept my weekly mileage at 60–70 km. As the race neared, I started doing longer runs and adding more trail-specific sessions.
The real game-changer was the gradual increase in elevation. I
knew Batur Trail wouldn’t just require flat-road endurance, so I made sure to add hill work and technical trails.
On weekends, my long runs went from 20K to 30K, with elevation gains ranging from 800 to 1,200 meters. During the week, I focused on interval training and hill repeats to build strength.
As race day got closer, I tapered down my mileage. The final three weeks before the race, I dropped my weekly mileage to 50K and dialed down the intensity of my intervals. This gave my legs a chance to rest and recover, but kept them sharp for race day.
Sample Weekly Plan During Peak Training:
- Monday: Rest or easy 5-8K recovery run
- Tuesday: Interval session (6-8 x 1K at race pace)
- Wednesday: 15-18K trail run with elevation
- Thursday: Rest or cross-training (cycling or swimming)
- Friday: Short 10-12K easy run
- Saturday: Long trail run (20-30K, with significant elevation)
- Sunday: Rest or light recovery run (5-8K)
The Race-Day Strategy: Keeping It Steady
Race day arrived, and I kept my strategy simple: maintain a steady pace, stay focused, and adjust when needed.
I knew the course well, so I had a clear idea of where I could push and where I needed to ease off. The trick was not to get caught up in the early excitement of the crowd and push too hard right from the start.
The first part of the race was a mix of gradual climbs and tricky terrain, but I decided to pace myself, knowing there would be tougher sections ahead.
The second hill, which comes about halfway through, was the real challenge.
It’s steep, rocky, and volcanic—testing both strength and focus. But instead of powering through like I did last year, I took a smarter approach. I slowed down when it got tough and saved my energy for the later miles.
By the time I hit the first water station, I felt strong. My legs were fresh, my breathing steady, and I was sticking to my pacing plan. But it wasn’t until the second water station that I realized I was on track to crush my previous time.
The Pivotal Moment: Passing the 2nd Water Station 1 Hour Faster
I’d been feeling great throughout the race, but it wasn’t until I reached the second water station that I realized I was going to beat my previous time.
When I checked my watch, I saw I had passed it in 1:55—an entire hour faster than last year.
That moment was a game-changer.
I could feel it then: I had trained smarter, paced myself better, and now I was seeing the results.
I remember thinking, “This is it. I’m on track for something big today.” It wasn’t just about finishing faster—it was about feeling how much I’d improved. This race was the culmination of all my hard work over the past year.
That realization gave me a new burst of energy. I pushed even harder, knowing I wasn’t just going to finish fast, but finish stronger.
Race Day Insights (From Your Experience and Others)
Race day brought a whirlwind of emotions. The first few kilometers felt easy—almost too easy. I had the urge to go hard, but I knew better than to let the energy at the start line dictate my pace.
I reminded myself of what Ashley Mateo had said about trail races: they can feel overwhelming at first, with the pressure to pace yourself and the fear of falling behind.
I felt that pressure as the crowd started to thin out and I found myself running alone.
But instead of letting it bother me, I stuck to the mantra that had helped me last year: “Trust the process.”
Around halfway through, when I hit the second water station an hour ahead of last year’s time, something shifted.
I felt a rush of energy and confidence—this race wasn’t just about finishing; it was about personal victory. I could feel all the hard training paying off.
Crossing the Finish Line
The last stretch of the race was all uphill. My heart was pounding as I neared the final 100 meters.
My body was sore, and my muscles ached, but my mind was stronger than ever. I could see the finish line ahead, and there was no way I was slowing down.
As I rounded the corner and saw the finish line, everything clicked into place.
The race, the struggle, all the training—it led to this moment. And as I got closer, something even more meaningful caught my eye: my partner was standing near the finish line, holding the national flag.
In a flash, I grabbed the flag, ran the last stretch, and crossed the line with it held high. The crowd cheered, and I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. I hadn’t just finished the race—I had crushed it.
The Mental Game
So, what made the difference this year?
It wasn’t just about the physical training. Sure, the training was crucial and made a big impact. But the mental game? That’s what got me through the toughest parts of the race.
When you’re running an ultra or a tough trail race, there are times when everything hurts, when you doubt yourself, and when the race feels endless. But this year, I knew how to manage those moments.
I focused on the small wins—getting to the next checkpoint, passing another runner, reaching the next milestone. It was about staying in the moment and not letting mental fatigue take over. I reminded myself that I’d been here before, and I could push through.
I used visualization to keep myself on track.
I’d picture myself crossing the finish line, and it pushed me forward. Every step felt like it brought me closer to the end, and that mentality carried me across the line with strength I didn’t expect.
Conclusion
So, what’s the takeaway from my Batur Trail 30K experience? It’s simple: Cutting 50 minutes off your time isn’t just about pushing harder—it’s about pushing smarter.
It’s about taking the time to prepare, mentally and physically, and learning from your past mistakes.
To all the runners out there, whether you’re running your first 30K or your hundredth, remember this: You have more in you than you think.
Trust the process, stay focused, and keep pushing forward. And when you cross that finish line, you’ll know that all the hard work was worth it.