This is bookmarked on Runner's World for me, but seeing as it's going to be deleted any day now, I figured it was worth a post here.  I have this printed and taped to the top of my tote that gets lugged around to races with me.

http://forums.runnersworld.com/forums/training/ultra-marathons/re-getting-finish-line-drivel

Believe in yourself--nothing else will get you to the finish line.

Decide before you start what will stop you--if that doesn't happen, you continue to run.

Are you racing or running?  Time goal (sub-24, big buckle, age group) or running to finish.  Don't let the initial goal be etched in stone.   Something may go wrong out there--adjustments will need to be made.  Make them and keep going.

Run your plan.  Stay within your realm.  Don't feel bad if someone passes you.  Don't chortle with glee if you pass someone.  Keep a sense of what your are about.  Keep pressing on, maybe it is one of those good days when you pick it up and keep on picking it up.

Have faith in walking.  Walk when you need to or when you want to, but walk with purpose...no trudging...no survival shuffle...keep a good mindset.

Be sure your crew (if you have one, a crew is not a necessity) understands that you might go through a transition from nice person to "not so nice" person.  Have a talk with them about the need to kick your butt back out on the course.  Sympathy may exist, but not to the extent of shortchanging the runner.

Problems.  Is it a problem or just an inconvenience?  Decide which.  Find a solution for the problem.  Block out the inconvenience.

Food.  Stick with the safest food there is at the aid stations. Use as much of your own stuff as you can, but don't be inflexible about things not being just perfect.  Be flexible as you go.

Equipment.  If some equipment change comes into your head--is it a need or a want. If it is a need, solve it at the next crew or drop bag point.  If it is a want and can't be fixed fairly easily, drop the thought--keep going.

Throwing up, vomiting, coughing the cookies...it may happen even if it has never happened before.  It is not fatal.  It is an inconvenience.  You might need more water between the point it happens and the next aid station (it can dehydrate).  Drink more. Stay at the next aid station long enough to drink and eat more.  Your body is now low on fuel and water. You must pay attention to eating more.  You can retore the liquids fairly quickly, but you must eat every chance you get.  Try not to throw up on anyone.

Don't stop.  Keep moving.  Low points will come, continued movement will bring you back around.  Don't sit in those chairs unless you really need to--you will not really need to until somewhere past 80 miles.

Be encouraging to others.  Smiles and laughter will be helpful to others. Helping others will be helpful to yourself.

Smile and joke with the aid station folks and say thank you to the volunteers.  They will help you all through the day and night and...be
good to them.  They are a great source of energy and inspiration donating all that time to get us through our little escapade.

No externalizing of negatives.  No, "Hot out here, ain't it?" No, "This is a long hill, eh?"  Just believe in yourself, all that training, all those folks you ran with throughout the winter, spring, and summer that got you so strong.

It's all there...yours for the taking.

Run gently out there

Try the link again...I think I got it this time

So very glad you saved it.

All excellent advice, couple comments:

Run your plan.  Stay within your realm.  Don't feel bad if someone passes you.  Don't chortle with glee if you pass someone.  Keep a sense of what your are about.  Keep pressing on, maybe it is one of those good days when you pick it up and keep on picking it up.

Ok to internally chortle with glee?

Have faith in walking.  Walk when you need to or when you want to, but walk with purpose...no trudging...no survival shuffle...keep a good mindset.

Amen

Be sure your crew (if you have one, a crew is not a necessity) understands that you might go through a transition from nice person to "not so nice" person.  Have a talk with them about the need to kick your butt back out on the course.  Sympathy may exist, but not to the extent of shortchanging the runner.

My first 50 miler, my DW yelled at me as soon as I came into the aid station "GET BACK OUT THERE", "I'm just filling up my water bottle, dear". The aid workers were horrified, it was priceless.

My first 100, the 30 mile aid station I started screaming "WHERE'S MT TOWEL, I NEED MY TOWEL"  wife: "your sitting on it".

 Try not to throw up on anyone.

Also try not to throw up into the wind

Add: don't expect hikers to give you an accurate distance to some point or your place in the race. Also take distances given to you by aid workers with a grain of salt, If you really must know, memorize the distances  between aid stations in advance.

Right On!