Growing up as a kid playing straight pool in the early 70s, my goal has always been to run 100. I had a run of 4 racks (56) at round 17-18 years old. I played very little straight pool for the next 20+ years, mainly 9-ball. After opening my poolroom at 41 years old, I started practicing some straight pool again, with a goal of running 100. In my late 40s, on a table with 4-3/4" corner pockets, I had a 7 rack run (98 balls) with a perfect in to the side of the rack break shot. Executed it perfectly bringing the CB back towards the middle of the table, and an OB kicked it in to the side pocket for scratch, ending my run.
I continued my attempts for a few more weeks, not coming anywhere close, then frustrated, gave up on the goal and returned to practicing/playing 9-ball. A few years ago, I started trying again, with hopes to run the 100 before I reached by 60th birthday. Trying to achieve it on our tightest table with 4-1/4" corner pockets, in 2015 I ran as many as 83, 77, a 70, and numerous runs in the 60s. Then, at age 59, I had shoulder replacement surgery and had to stop playing for about 6 months. Since getting back at it again for the past year, I cant seem to even get to a run of 50 balls anymore, although I feel like I'm seeing the balls well and playing well.
I'll be 61 in January, and for now I've given up on it. My shoulder only allows me to play 2-3 times a week, for 2-3 hours at a time, which makes it tough. I feel with that limited practice time, I need to use that time playing and practicing 9-ball. I know if I attempt it on our 4-3/4" corner pocket tables I'll have a much better chance of getting to 100, but it won't mean the same to me to do it on those tables. My mindset is if I'm going to do it, it's gonna be on our 4-1/4" pocket table. I realize I'm running out of time, but have not completely given up on it yet. I can attest for me, it is largely a mental component.
Having that goal for most of my lifetime, anytime I get a run near 50, the pressure just seems to mount and I end up making a careless error.