The Ultramarathon Mindset

Editor's note: Every so often we like to surface timeless pieces from our archive. This post from Lewis Kallow dives into the world of endurance athletes and explores what lessons entrepreneurs can glean from them. Learn about the strategies employed by Courtney Dauwalter, an ultramarathon runner who emerged victorious in a grueling 240-mile desert race back in 2017.

Moab, Utah is a popular setting for sci-fi films. That’s probably because it literally looks like another planet. It’s home to giant red rock archways, gaping canyons, mysterious craters and plenty of dinosaur bones. It’s also the staging ground for one of the country’s toughest ultramarathons: the Moab 240. 

The Moab is two hundred and forty desert miles of rocky mountain climbs and endless dirt roads. It can get as hot as 97°F (36°C) during the day and as cold as 15°F (-10°C) at night. The race takes the average competitor 90 hours to complete. It’s so long that the distance between two checkpoints can be more than an entire regular marathon’s length. Runners are regularly afflicted by sunburn, intense physical pain, crushing fatigue, and hallucinations, with some even reporting blindness.

And yet, in 2017, Courtney Dauwalter somehow made it look like a cakewalk. Not only did she win—she set the record for the race, and finished ten whole hours ahead of the next runner. 

Stranger still, Courtney has no specific plan or training schedule. Not even a coach. She eats whatever she wants, including right before a race. Pre-competition meals have included pizza, waffles, and McDonald’s.