My first 100 (well, third attempt but first finish right?) is in 18 days. I was feeling really good about this time until this last week. I averaged almost 50 MPW the last 5 weeks. I had peak weeks of 85 and 80 miles. I have stayed healthy and injury-free. I have been doing multiple long runs or back-to-backs each week. Last week I ran 21+ on Wednesday overnight and then ran 20+ yesterday in the heat of the day.

The problem is that I did both of those long runs on the course with other people who are doing the hundred. Both times I was one of the last people to finish the training run. I thought maybe I was the smart one, not pushing the pace and taking walk breaks on the steeper hills. Then I talked to a few of the guys around me and learned they are all 3 hour marathoners and sub-18 5k runners. One guy actually exclaimed, "OMG!" when I told him my marathon PR is 4:33. (I fully believe I am capable of at least 4:15 if not 4:10 but had a craptastic spring race.) He acted like I was nuts for even thinking I could attempt this hundred.

Now that is eating into my confidence. I have 8 ultras under my belt: 1 50k, 1 35 mile, 4 50 milers, 1 100k, 1 24 hour race (85.57 miles), and 2 DNF attempts at 100 miles (57 and 63 miles respectively). Why I am letting this get to me I don't know. But I need either reassurance or the kick in the pants to wake up and realize I suck and shouldn't be doing this. So which is it?

That guy was a moron.

I'll never run under a 4 hour marathon, but that won't stop me from running 100 miles.  And an 18 minute 5K won't help that guy at mile 90 anyway.

Burning River is a great race with fantastic support.  Third time is the charm!

Have they run the 100 or another before?

Maybe you should refer them to RedSparkle, aka Katrina. I think she's run 3 100s this year while in the process of improving her marathon PR from something over 5 hours to somewhere around 4:15.

What everybody has said.  You will do it and do it well.  I can't wait to read your updates in FB!

Good luck!

And yes, you're in taper madness. STOP!

I feel very odd saying "You can do this!" to someone attempting100 miles.  It's just a mind-boggling  concept.  But when it comes down to it, I think that's the biggest challenge : not letting your mind get boggled.  It looks like you have a very good base of successful ultras under your belt, so you've obviously figured out the nitty-gritty details about how to do this.  And it seems to me (non-ultra runner) that the kinds of training you have done are very relevant and focussed for this event.  So as they say "Trust your training."

Thanks all. I'm sure it's mostly taper madness getting to me. And I follow all of Katrina's (RedSparkle) adventures. Were FB friends and I know she has a similar background to myself and has been successful. I just can't seem to convince myself that *I* can do this since Wednesday's run. It really sucks because I know I can do this. I did 85 miles in 24 hours. It's only 15 miles further in 6 more hours. And this time I will have more training under my belt and I won't be in such sucky conditions (snow, rain, high winds, etc). I just keep wondering what's wrong with me that I'm not running times like these guys and they're kicking my butt on the trail and some of them have half the training I do going into this..... Ugh. I know I shouldn't compare but it's just so hard!

You mentioned their marathon and 5k times.  Have they ever run 100 miles?  Have they ever done the distances that you have?  Bolt may be the fastest man on the planet, but that doesn't mean he could hang with you in an Ultra.  That's a crazy distance, which is why I think you'll be fine :-)