Damascus Festival of Miles: A test of running mental toughness

By Henry Howard

One theme of my races this year is to test myself by running events that are atypical for me.

In September, I did my first 5K in almost six years, coming within three seconds of a PR. Then I took on my first timed race, the Damascus Festival of Miles on Oct. 4, where I did the three-hour option. The course was a one-mile-ish loop, which provided a test of running mental toughness.

Thanks to a solid training plan, nutrition strategy and mental preparation, I had a good day. I stayed consistent throughout, nailed my nutrition plan and cheered on other runners, including some kids who were enjoying themselves on the trails.

I finished 22 loops, exactly 23 miles, and placed second overall of 53 runners. That was one lap behind the leader who I later found out was Billy Barnett, who was featured in the ultra running book “Born to Run.” (Related: An exclusive interview with Jenn Shelton several years ago.) I guess that answers the question, "What happened to Billy the Kid from Born to Run?"

The mental game on repeat

Running a three-hour timed race in Damascus, Va., was exactly the mental challenge I'd prepared for — and it delivered.

There's something uniquely demanding about a loop course. Unlike point-to-point or even out-and-back races where changing scenery helps pass the miles, running the same one-mile circuit for three hours requires a different kind of mental strength. You see the same landmarks, the same turns, the same stretch of trail over and over again. The challenge isn't just physical — it's staying locked in mentally as the laps accumulate.

Here are some takeaways on how I adapted training to prepare for this race:

• Mental game: The most critical element of my preparation wasn't physical at all. Mental preparation proved just as important as the miles I logged. I developed specific strategies to stay focused and motivated during those long, challenging hours when the monotony of the loop could have broken my concentration. When the mental fatigue tried to creep in — and it certainly did — I had the tools to push through it. I stayed present, focused on executing my plan and kept my energy positive even as the laps continued to pile up. I also extended that positivity to other runners, encouraging them as they pushed through, and that positive energy was returned to me.

• Focus on consistency: The physical preparation for distance-based and timed races shares many similarities, but racing against the clock requires some distinct considerations. Time management became my focus during training, understanding that in a timed event, pacing and efficiency aren't just important, they're everything. Starting too aggressively can sabotage your ability to finish strong. That patience paid off. I maintained my effort level and stayed mentally strong as the race wore on, rather than burning matches I'd need later.

• Nutrition: The carb revolution paid off again. I took in eight SIS Beta gels, roughly 105 carbs per hour. As I preach to my athletes, practice fueling during training so that your gut can handle it. And then on race day, you can get in the carbs you need and avoid bonking late. I don’t take eight gels during training runs, but I do consume them after roughly the same intervals during long runs as I do during a race.

• Race simulation: The cornerstone of my preparation was practicing my actual race strategy during training. For example, during several of my long runs this meant running at race pace on a one-mile loop over and over while managing my nutrition. 

How to approach a timed race

Crossing the finish line in second place overall is a result I'm pleased with. More than the placement itself, I'm proud of how I raced. My pacing was consistent, my mental game was strong and I executed the strategy I had developed.

Timed races offer a unique challenge in our sport. They strip away the distraction of changing scenery and force you to confront yourself, your pacing, and your mental resilience. In Damascus, I met that challenge head-on and came away with confirmation that the preparation works.

If you're considering a timed event, remember: respect the clock, but don't let it control you. Develop your strategy and training plan, fuel your body properly, and above all, prepare your mind for the long game. The miles will take care of themselves.

About the Damascus Festival of Miles

The race was not only my first as a timed event but it was also my first at an event making its debut. Kudos to race director Melissa Londry (her featured RD profile here) for putting on a well-organized and marked race that was for the entire trail running community.

In addition to the three-hour race, options included six- and 12-hour versions.

The loop, a tad over one mile, was mostly flat on crushed and loose stone, with some grassy areas, a brief brick paver section and a pedestrian bridge crossing.

Runners set up their own aid stations on camp sites, in their vehicles or elsewhere along the trail. A main aid station was fully stocked at the start-finish area.

Londry executed the race extremely well, cheered on runners as they finished their loops and is planning to add the 24-hour option for 2026.

For me, after some rest and recovery, I’ll be doing the Dinosaur Valley 100K, my Western States qualifier for 2027. It’s another race distance that is somewhat different for me. So far, I have completed one 100K and had my first DNF at the Zion 100K.

But based on my experience this past weekend, I know my nutrition and mental game are on point. Now it’s a matter of the training and race specificity.