My Psychology of Ultramarathons: Defying Mind Over Matter

When people hear about the psychology of ultramarathons and the participants, they often assume we embody the mantra: “Mind over matter.” The belief is that our minds are stronger than our bodies, allowing us to push through pain, exhaustion, and doubt. But my journey as an ultramarathoner tells a very different story. In my experience, it’s not always about overcoming the mind. In fact, it’s often about overcoming my body – through preparation, resilience and sheer willpower rooted in something far more primal than elation or achievement.

Here’s a closer look at my personal psychology for pushing physical boundaries – a perspective that challenges the conventional narrative of ultrarunning. I learned a lot after cxompleting my first 100 mile ultramarathon in 2024 at 41 – the EPONA 100.

Psychology of Ultramarathons

When the Body Fails Before the Mind

The popular saying, “Your mind will give up before your body,” suggests the body is an unyielding machine, ready to endure anything, while the mind is the weak link prone to faltering. My reality is much the opposite. My body has failed me countless times before my mind ever wavered – through debilitating cramps, injuries or physical breakdowns brought on by inadequate preparation.

In those moments, my mind wasn’t screaming for me to stop; it was still fully in the game, willing me to press on despite the pain. It’s an incredibly frustrating experience to feel mentally unbroken but physically incapable. That frustration taught me an important lesson: while mental toughness is crucial, it’s nothing without a body that can carry you to the finish line.

This realisation reshaped my approach to ultrarunning and my personal psychology of ultramarathons. I focused on specific training to build resilience and endurance. Strength work, mobility exercises, and refining my fuelling strategies became non-negotiable. My mind could only be as steadfast as the body supporting it.

Fear of Failure – The Ultimate Motivator

If you ask most people why they take on ultramarathons, they’ll likely mention the thrill of crossing the finish line or the joy of accomplishing something extraordinary. For me, it’s different. My motivation doesn’t stem from the potential elation of finishing – it comes from the sheer terror of not finishing.

The fear of failure is a constant shadow. The idea of setting out to do something and falling short gnaws at me far more than the discomfort of continuing when my body is screaming to stop. It’s not about proving something to others but about holding myself accountable to my own goals. I cannot bear the thought of looking back on a challenge and knowing I quit when I could have gone further.

This fear drives me to keep going, long after my body has reached its limits. When every muscle aches and every step feels impossible, the thought of living with the regret of failure is far worse than the pain I’m enduring. It’s not that I’m invincible – it’s that I refuse to accept defeat as an option.

Building a New Resilience – Mind and Body in Harmony

My experiences have taught me that the dichotomy of “mind versus body” is flawed. It’s not about one overcoming the other – it’s about developing a partnership between the two. My mind remains steadfast not because I’m stronger or more determined than anyone else but because I’ve prepared my body to support that determination.

Resilience isn’t just mental toughness; it’s the physical and psychological alignment that allows me to tackle ultramarathons with confidence. This harmony doesn’t just happen – it’s built through countless hours of preparation, failures, and learning how to listen to my body.

For me, success in ultrarunning isn’t just about enduring pain; it’s about respecting it, understanding it, and using it as a guide to become stronger. That’s how I’ve transformed my fear of failure into fuel for resilience.

The Myth of Euphoria – It’s Not Always Blissful… But a Bit Hurty!

One of the most romanticised aspects of ultramarathon running is the so-called “runner’s high,” that elusive euphoric state that supposedly makes the pain and effort worthwhile. While I’ve experienced fleeting moments of exhilaration during a race, I’ve found that ultramarathons are rarely blissful. They’re gritty, gruelling and deeply uncomfortable for the vast majority of the journey.

For me, running an ultramarathon is about both chasing euphoria or a transcendent high while embracing the struggle. The moments I remember most vividly aren’t the easy, flowing miles but the ones where everything hurt, and I had to fight for every step. It’s in those raw, unfiltered moments of discomfort that I’ve found the most clarity and growth.

What’s more, I’ve learned that the finish line doesn’t always bring the wave of elation I expect. Yes, there’s relief it’s over and pride completing the challenge initially, but the real rewards of ultrarunning aren’t always immediate. They come later, in a day or two afterwards. In the quiet realisation that you’ve grown stronger, not just physically but as a person, by enduring something that tested every ounce of your willpower.

The Beauty of the Breaking Point

One of the most profound aspects of ultrarunning is that it takes you to your breaking point – and then forces you to decide what to do next. Most people see the breaking point as a moment of weakness, but I’ve come to see it as a moment of opportunity.

When you’re physically wrecked and mentally exhausted, when every rational part of your brain is telling you to stop… That’s when you find out who you really are. Will you give in, or will you dig deeper? The breaking point isn’t something to fear – it’s something to embrace. It’s where growth happens, where you discover the reserves of strength and resilience you didn’t know you had.

The beauty of the breaking point is that it strips away all the noise and pretence. It’s just you, your willpower and the raw desire to keep going. In those moments, I’ve learned more about myself than I ever could in the comfort of my daily life as a digital designer.

Redefining Success

In a world that celebrates perfection and achievement, ultrarunning has taught me to redefine success. For many, success means winning, setting a personal record, or crossing the finish line with a smile. But for me, success is often much simpler: it’s about giving everything I have to get the job done. I’m 43 in 2024 and the fear of getting old and useless weighs heavy on my mind!

Not every ultramarathon ends the way I want it to. There are times when my body fails me despite my best efforts. In those moments, success isn’t about the outcome – it’s about knowing I pushed myself to my absolute limit. It’s about refusing to quit until there’s truly nothing left to give.

This mindset goes against the grain of conventional thinking, where failure is something to be avoided at all costs. But ultrarunning has taught me that failure is an essential part of growth. Each time I fall short, I learn something valuable about myself, my training, and my limits. That knowledge makes me stronger for the next challenge.

The Takeaway on My Psychology of Ultramarathons

The psychology of ultramarathons is as varied as the runners who take them on. For me, it’s not about “mind over matter.” My body has often been the weak link. I’ve had to work tirelessly to bring it up to the level of my mental resolve. My motivation doesn’t come from the joy of crossing the finish line but from the fear of what it would mean not to.

This perspective might seem unconventional, but it’s what has driven me to conquer the challenges I’ve faced. If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s this: the human spirit is incredibly adaptable. When your mind and body work together, you can overcome far more than you ever imagined.

Psychology of Ultramarathons