Mental Toughness in Ultramarathons: Nicole’s 3 C’s for Building Mental Toughness in Ultras

October 10, 2024 Leave a comment

​

Hey Reader!,
​

I hope you are having an amazing week and crushing the miles in preparation for whatever you’ve got planned!

The Moab 240 is this week and it’s got me thinking about my journey through that amazing course last year. I remember not only the physical demand of all those miles but also the mental fortitude it took to will myself to keep moving forward. Ultrarunning is just as much(if not more) a mental challenge as it is physical. On those long, grueling runs, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—but having a strong mindset can make all the difference.

In our latest Run the Riot episode, running beast and friend of the podcast, Nicole Laughton shared about a mental strategy she heard the week before her big race that was perfect for tackling races like Run Rabbit Run and Arkansas Traveller – the 3 C’s approach. I really liked it and had to share! Here’s how it works:

  • Composed – Nicole says the first phase of a race is all about staying composed. It’s tempting to go hard from the start, but staying calm and controlled helps save energy for the later stages of the race. Remember: It’s a long day, and pacing is key.
  • Consistent – During the middle part of the race, consistency is everything. Nicole’s advice? Don’t overthink it—just keep moving. “It’s just running,” she reminds herself, and focusing on consistent effort helps keep her in the flow, mile after mile.
  • Compete – Once you’ve made it through the majority of the race, it’s time to compete. Nicole talks about how she digs deep in the final stretch, putting everything on the line to finish strong. At this point, it’s all about mental grit.

If you want more insights and fun stories from Nicole’s most recent racing experience at the Run Rabbit Run 100, listen to the episode here or watch it on YouTube. It was a great conversation.

On the journey,

David

P.S. Looking for help with your mindset or training? Visit Run the Riot Coaching to learn how we can guide you to your best race yet!

​

Leave a Reply