Episode 87: This is Your Brain on Ultras - Unlocking the Mental Strategies That Fuel Endurance Success

<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In Episode 87 of Trail Society, the gang is back together for a deep dive into the intersection of ultra running and cognitive performance. Corrine, Hillary, and Keely unpack recent research from the world of Backyard Ultras, where a group of Belgian scientists explored the effects of extreme endurance on the brain. The study, conducted during an April 2023 event, found that while sleep deprivation and fatigue did slow reaction times, for the athletes that lasted the longest, physical performance remained stable. This episode explores how mental fortitude — the ability to push through the struggle to continue — might be just as critical as physical endurance in ultra running and beyond. Can the mental endurance required for these extreme races teach us how to better manage our effort and focus in other areas of life?</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We also shift gears into the world of self-esteem and positive self-talk...