Podcast Summary
Harvey Lewis's 300th mile journey and the importance of 'why': Reaching personal milestones can reignite motivation and challenge our 'why' in endurance running. Innovative technology and resilience play crucial roles in pushing boundaries.
Endurance runner Harvey Lewis, despite his impressive ultra-running career, felt invisible leading up to his 300th mile. However, reaching this milestone brought newfound energy and motivation, leading him to question the importance of his "why" - his personal and altruistic motivations for running. This mindset, coupled with his determination, helped him set a world record at the Big Dog's Backyard Ultra, running 354 miles in 85 hours with minimal sleep. The discussion also highlighted the importance of apparel technology, with On's high-performance running apparel offering next-gen fabrics and features, and the benefits of alcohol-free alternatives, such as Go Brewing's NA beers. Overall, the conversation emphasized the significance of personal motivation, resilience, and innovative technology in achieving extraordinary feats.
Harvey Lewis' Inspiring Journey in Ultra Marathon Running: Elite runner Harvey Lewis sets records in challenging ultra marathons, emphasizing mental toughness, consistent training, and embracing the journey. His success includes the Big's Backyard Ultra and attempting a Fastest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail with his father.
Inspiring story of Harvey Lewis, an elite ultra marathoner and high school teacher, who has had a remarkable 25-year career in the sport. Harvey recently had major breakthroughs in his racing, including setting records at the Big's Backyard Ultra, despite the unique and challenging format of the event. The backyard ultra is a race where competitors run a 4.167-mile loop every hour, 24 hours a day, until only the last person is standing. Harvey's success in this race, and others, is a testament to his mental toughness, consistent training, and the importance of showing up and embracing the journey. Harvey's conversation also touched on his plant-based diet, balancing his ultra-running with teaching, and the bonding experience of attempting a Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Appalachian Trail with his father. Overall, Harvey's story is a reminder that with dedication, hard work, and a positive attitude, one can achieve great things and find joy in the process.
The Importance of Sleep in Endurance Racing: Prioritize sleep in endurance races, even short naps can boost energy, but managing sleep while staying alert is a delicate balance, as every loop counts in the Backyard Ultra.
Sleep plays a crucial role in endurance racing, particularly in ultra events like the Backyard Ultra. Lack of sleep can lead to feelings of exhaustion and decreased performance, making it essential to prioritize rest whenever possible. Naps, even short ones, can provide significant energy boosts. However, managing sleep during a race is a delicate balance, as runners often need to stay alert to maintain their pace and position. Temperature variations and other race conditions can further complicate the situation. Ultimately, every runner in the Backyard Ultra is in it until the very end, making the competition intense and unpredictable. The race's unique format adds an extra layer of challenge, as even a single loop not completed results in a Did Not Finish (DNF) status.
The Barkley Marathons: A Unique Ultra-Running Challenge: A 60-hour ultra-race with a unique format, created by Lazarus Lake, inspires global participation with its challenging yet welcoming atmosphere.
The Barkley Marathons, created by the enigmatic Lazarus Lake, is a unique and challenging ultra-running event where participants aim to complete a set number of loops of a 4.167-mile course within 60 hours. The race, named after Lazarus' dog, has gained worldwide popularity, with over 13,000 people participating in over 100 events across 62 countries in the last 5 years. Lazarus, a former runner and NASA scientist's son, is known for his philosophical approach to the race and his interest in pushing runners to their limits. Despite the challenging format, the camaraderie and welcoming atmosphere make it an appealing option for those looking to dip their toes into the ultra-running world. The race's ease of organization and gamesmanship also make it an attractive option for race organizers. However, the race is not without its challenges, as runners face both physical and mental obstacles, and the unpredictable nature of the event can lead to long hours and uncertainty. Ultimately, the Barkley Marathons represent a unique and captivating experience that has inspired a new genre of running and continues to challenge and inspire runners around the world.
Visualizing past experiences to stay focused during a challenge: Imagining past successes and drawing motivation from others can help maintain a strong mindset during endurance races, even when faced with physical pain or exhaustion.
Changing your mindset can significantly impact your ability to push through challenges. During a 300-mile ultra-race, a runner used the visualization technique of imagining himself running back and forth to work to help him focus and endure the mental struggles. He also recognized the importance of not giving in to negative thoughts and keeping a strong mindset, even when faced with physical pain or exhaustion. The runner was inspired by another competitor's determination to finish, despite running sideways due to injury. Reflecting on past experiences, the runner drew motivation from the idea of reaching the elusive 300-mile mark and not wanting to give up mentally.
The Importance of a Strong Crew in Ultra-Endurance Races: A strong crew is crucial for success in ultra-endurance races, providing problem-solving, positivity, and essential needs. Building a diverse and skilled crew months beforehand and having someone to run with can boost energy.
Having a supportive and effective crew is crucial for success in ultra-endurance races. The crew plays a vital role in problem-solving, maintaining a positive attitude, and ensuring the runner gets what they need. Building a strong crew months before the event and having a mix of skills and dynamics is essential. During the race, having someone to run with and rotate can provide an energy boost. The runner's preference for crew involvement may vary depending on the race, but having a dedicated and motivated crew can make all the difference in completing the grueling challenge.
The power of teamwork and human spirit in ultra-marathons: Ultra-marathon runners' camaraderie and mutual support can lead to newfound energy and unexpected feats, pushing beyond perceived limits and demonstrating resilience and determination.
The camaraderie and mutual support between ultra-marathon runners, even during the most challenging moments of the race, can lead to newfound energy and unexpected feats. At mile 300 of the Biggs Ultra, the runners described a surge of invincibility and passion that allowed them to push beyond their perceived limits and engage in unconventional behaviors. This experience underscores the power of teamwork and the human spirit to overcome adversity and continue moving forward, one loop at a time. Despite injuries and fatigue, the runners remained focused on the present moment and their shared goal, demonstrating the importance of resilience and determination in the face of extreme endurance challenges.
The Mental Challenges of the 300-mile Spartathlon Race: Mental resilience and camaraderie among competitors are crucial in completing the 300-mile Spartathlon race. The race's challenging terrain, long hours of solitude, and essential nutrition and music contribute to pushing past limits.
The 300-mile Spartathlon race is not only physically demanding but also mentally challenging. Maureen's unexpected fall and subsequent injury highlighted the importance of mental resilience and the camaraderie among competitors. The race, which took place on a tougher course in Greece, had competitors pushing each other to break the 300-mile mark, potentially leading to future records. The race also incorporated both trail and road, providing mental variety and helping runners cope with long hours of solitude. Nutrition was essential, but music on the road portion was also found to be helpful in managing discomfort and fatigue. The Spartathlon is a testament to human endurance and the power of the mind in pushing past limits.
Proper Nutrition During Ultra Races: Consume 500 calories per hour, prioritize plant-based foods, complex carbs, and avoid dairy for efficient digestion and stable energy levels. Having a knowledgeable crew chief and sharing nutrition strategies can enhance performance.
Proper nutrition is crucial during ultra races, and consuming around 500 calories per hour is essential. Plant-based foods, such as fruits, soups, and vegan mac and cheese, help ensure efficient digestion and minimize stomach issues. Having a knowledgeable crew chief who can prepare nutritious meals is also important. While simple sugars are consumed for quick energy, complex carbohydrates are prioritized to maintain energy levels. Avoiding dairy can help reduce the risk of stomach issues. The vegan diet has worked well for the speaker during ultras, with only a few instances of stomach problems in the past five years. Sharing nutrition strategies with fellow runners can lead to successful collaborations and improved performance.
The power of persistence and flexibility in ultra running and life: Stay committed, adaptable, and listen to your body for success in ultra running and life. Don't limit yourself to one type of training or race distance.
Persistence and flexibility are key to achieving success in ultra running and in life. The speaker, who has been vegetarian for 25 years and a runner for even longer, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a love for the sport and listening to one's body. He doesn't follow a strict training regimen or have a coach, but rather goes out and runs based on how he feels. He also emphasizes the importance of diversifying and not getting too focused on one specific type of running or training. By staying flexible and listening to his body, he has been able to excel in a variety of distances and terrains, from 5ks to 24-hour races. His long-term commitment and adaptability are inspiring examples of the power of persistence and flexibility.
Harvey's ethical diet choice led to improved recovery and performance: Harvey's transition to a plant-based diet led to faster recovery, enabling him to train harder and perform better in races.
Harvey's ethical compulsion towards a plant-based diet, sparked by his mother's stroke, led him to make the transition to vegetarianism in college and eventually veganism in 2016. He attributes his improved recovery and enhanced performance to this lifestyle change. Harvey found that his speed of recovery is remarkable, allowing him to bounce back quickly from races and intense training. He averages around 100 miles a week and uses races as part of his training for bigger events. However, Harvey's goal is to run the Western States and UTMB ultramarathons, which have proven to be challenging to get into. Despite the obstacles, he remains determined and optimistic about his future racing endeavors.
Plant-based diet aids ultra-runner's recovery: An ultra-runner shares how his plant-based diet helps him recover faster from races, emphasizing the importance of balance and not overdoing races.
A balanced plant-based diet plays a crucial role in an ultra-runner's ability to bounce back quickly from grueling races. The speaker, an experienced ultra-runner, shared that he used to experience prolonged fatigue and aches in his legs after races, but now, with his plant-based diet, his recovery time is significantly shorter. He emphasized the importance of not overdoing races, especially those close together, to avoid burning out or injuring oneself. The students at his arts-focused high school are supportive and excited about his running endeavors, despite not fully understanding the concept. The unique energy and creativity at the school allow the speaker to fit in seamlessly with the students, who are already engaged in their own artistic pursuits.
Passion for Teaching and Running: The speaker derives personal fulfillment from teaching and running, values connections with students, and incorporates both activities into his daily routine for therapy, training, and reflection.
The speaker derives immense personal fulfillment from both teaching and running, and he would continue to do so even if he won a large sum of money. He values the connections he builds with his students and finds joy in guiding them through important life decisions. Additionally, running plays a significant role in his life, serving as a form of therapy, training, and a way to reflect on the day. He incorporates running into his daily routine by commuting to work and school, and he credits his regular visits to a physical therapist for helping him avoid injuries. Overall, the speaker's passion for teaching and running enriches his life and enables him to approach each day with energy and focus.
Combining ART, Sleep, and Social Activities for Optimal Health: Incorporate non-painful ART sessions, prioritize 7+ hours of sleep, and engage in social activities like running for optimal physical health.
Optimal physical health involves a combination of non-painful Active Release Techniques (ART), adequate sleep, and engaging in activities that bring people together, such as running. ART sessions may not be painful but are essential for breaking up scar tissue. Sleep is crucial, with 7 or more hours being important for overall health. Running has the power to unite people regardless of political affiliations. The speaker's unique approach to running includes applying civics lessons to his running experiences, such as reenacting Gandhi's Salt March and the Selma to Montgomery route, which provide students with an experiential learning opportunity. These experiences breathe life into historical events and make learning more engaging and memorable.
The Power of Human Kindness During Hardships: Despite facing physical challenges, the speaker's positive attitude and the kindness of strangers helped him endure and create meaningful connections during his self-imposed journey in India.
Even with limited resources, the human spirit and the kindness of strangers can help one endure hardships and create unforgettable experiences. The speaker, while on a self-imposed journey with only ten items in India, encountered extreme heat, blisters, and air pollution. Despite these challenges, he was moved by the generosity of the local people, who offered him food and shelter. The speaker's positive attitude and focus on the good helped him weather the mental toughness during the journey. The experience brought the history of Gandhi's civil disobedience to life, and he formed meaningful connections with the locals and even with Gandhi himself through shared stories and experiences. The speaker's sunny disposition and ability to focus on the good are underappreciated superpowers that help him get through difficult times.
From Challenges to Personal Growth: Running a Marathon as a Young Adult: Overcoming personal struggles and trauma can lead to significant personal growth. Finding success in a challenging endeavor can shift one's mindset and motivate them to apply themselves in other areas of life.
Overcoming challenges, even those rooted in personal trauma or learning difficulties, can lead to significant personal growth. The speaker shares their experience of growing up as a challenging student, struggling with learning disabilities and behavioral issues, which were likely exacerbated by the trauma of their parents' divorce. Despite these challenges, they found solace and success in pushing themselves to complete a marathon at a young age. This experience shifted their mindset and motivated them to apply themselves in school. The marathon not only served as a physical challenge but also helped them develop resilience and self-efficacy, proving that they were capable of learning and succeeding against all odds.
From struggling student to accomplished runner: Finding motivation and direction outside of the classroom can help students build self-efficacy and succeed in academics. Shared experiences and activities can be effective ways to build relationships and inspire growth.
The power of determination and applying oneself to a challenging task can lead to significant personal growth and success, even in areas where one may have previously struggled. This was evident in the speaker's own experience of transforming from a struggling student to an accomplished one through the discipline of running. For students who face academic challenges, finding a source of motivation and direction outside of the classroom can be crucial for building self-efficacy. The arts, for example, can provide a powerful vehicle for inspiration and growth. As an educator, the speaker found that connecting with students through shared experiences and activities, such as running, could be a valuable way to build relationships and help students find their path to success. However, it's important to remember that every student is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The journey towards self-discovery and growth can be challenging, but the rewards are worth it.
An unforgettable bonding experience on the Appalachian Trail: Father and son completed a 45-day AT FKT, strengthening their bond through shared challenges and companionship
The Appalachian Trail fastest known time attempt by the speaker became an unforgettable bonding experience between him and his father. The father, despite being 79 years old, joined his son for the entire 45-day journey, providing crucial support and companionship. The experience was physically and mentally challenging, with long hours and steep climbs, but the father's presence made it worthwhile. The documentary made during the attempt, which initially focused on the trail and the record, evolved into a heartwarming story about the relationship between the speaker and his father. The father's charm and resilience shone through, making him the film's main star. The experience brought the father and son closer, creating a priceless memory that will last a lifetime.
Documentary 'Harvey's Last Battle' faces pandemic-related setbacks, but wins awards and is now streaming: The documentary 'Harvey's Last Battle' highlights the determination and resilience of those who endure the grueling Badwater Ultramarathon, despite challenges from the pandemic and the race's demanding nature
The documentary "Harvey's Last Battle: The Legend of Harvey Ball" faces challenges in reaching a larger audience due to initial plans for a theatrical release being disrupted by the pandemic. Despite this setback, the film has won numerous awards at film festivals and is now available for streaming on the website harveylikesun.com. The documentary follows the grueling and complex race known as Badwater Ultramarathon, which includes 120 miles of off-trail running, 60,000 feet of elevation climbing, and navigating Laz's cryptic riddles in the dark. To prepare for such a demanding event, runners must adapt their training to focus on vertical ascent and navigate unfamiliar terrain. The documentary showcases the determination and resilience of those who take on this extreme challenge.
Exploring new challenges in ultra-running: Embrace creativity in training, adapt to elements, and seek out new experiences for personal growth in ultra-running.
Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and engaging in creative training methods can lead to significant personal growth and improvement in ultra-running. This can involve getting lost and finding your way back, exploring unfamiliar terrain, or even kayaking or swimming to work. Embracing the elements, such as cold weather, is also an essential part of the experience. Ultra-running requires a unique blend of physical and mental fortitude, and being creative and adaptable in your training can make all the difference. Additionally, the allure of ultra-running has grown significantly due to its popularity in media, making events like Barkley Marathons highly sought after. However, the exclusivity of these events necessitates a certain level of secrecy to maintain the challenge and ensure a fair experience for all participants.
Winning the 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon: From the Lowest to the Highest: Endurance athlete X achieved a personal goal by winning the grueling Badwater Ultramarathon, despite limited heat training and mental/physical challenges. X has completed the race 10 times and holds the fastest known time.
Endurance athlete X achieved a personal goal by winning the 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon, which involves running from the lowest point in North America to the highest point in the contiguous US, despite challenging heat and elevation. X trains for extreme heat only a few days a week and pushes through mental and physical challenges during the race, including a close competition with a Ukrainian runner. The race, which takes place in the desert, includes a significant amount of elevation gain, with the last half marathon being a steep climb to the portal, and continuing past that point to reach the summit of Mount Whitney. X has completed the race 10 times and holds the fastest known time from Badwater to the summit.
The spirit of determination in ultra-marathon running: Determination, team support, fundraising, and mental resilience are crucial for completing ultra-marathons, even when external circumstances challenge traditional race plans.
The spirit of determination and perseverance in ultra-marathon running, as exemplified by Al Arnold's original Badwater course in 1976, continues to inspire runners today. However, safety considerations and the impact of external circumstances, such as the pandemic in 2020, can significantly alter race plans. Harvey's personal experience of attempting to break Marshall Urich's record at the Badwater Ultramarathon 135 demonstrates the importance of team support, fundraising, and mental resilience. Despite feeling depleted and uncertain, Harvey's determination was fueled by the support of his team and the knowledge that he was raising funds for a worthy cause. Ultimately, Harvey's successful summit push to the portal was made possible by the encouragement of Marshall Urich and the newfound energy he felt on the trail.
Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Goals: Completing grueling challenges can bring a magical sense of accomplishment and relief. Proper nutrition is essential for success during races and in everyday life. Start moving and don't let challenges discourage you.
Pushing past limits and achieving goals, no matter how challenging, can be an incredibly rewarding experience. The speaker shared his personal journey of completing a grueling ultra-marathon, climbing a mountain to break a record, and using the opportunity to give back to the community. The sense of accomplishment and relief after the grueling challenge was described as "magical" and "rejuvenating." The speaker also emphasized the importance of proper nutrition, both during the race and in everyday life, which included a mix of healthy meals and ethnic foods. For those inspired to start their own journey towards physical fitness and goal achievement, the speaker's advice was to simply start moving and not be discouraged by the challenges that come along the way.
Enjoyment and Accountability are Keys to a Consistent Fitness Routine: Find an enjoyable activity, set goals, have accountability partners, join groups, and write down your progress to maintain a consistent fitness routine.
Finding enjoyment in an activity and having accountability are key to getting started and maintaining a consistent fitness routine. Whether it's running, hiking, swimming, or any other activity, finding something you love and have fun with is crucial for sticking with it. Additionally, having accountability partners and joining groups or programs can provide the motivation needed to keep going. Setting goals, both short-term and long-term, can also help keep things interesting and provide a sense of direction. Lastly, incorporating new experiences or challenges into your routine can add excitement and increase longevity. Another effective habit is writing down your goals and daily activities in a journal, which can provide a sense of accomplishment and serve as a reminder of your progress.
Tapping into 60% of our capabilities requires a clear 'why': Having a strong 'why' helps us push beyond perceived limits and tap into untapped potential.
Our mindset plays a crucial role in pushing ourselves beyond our perceived limits. According to the interviewee, we've only tapped into 40% of our capabilities when we think we're done. Having a clear "why" is essential to tap into that extra gear when facing challenges. The "why" can be personal or related to impacting others. It's important to remind ourselves of our "why" when we're struggling to continue. The interviewee shared how writing down the "why" and having a strong one helps him during races and challenges. He also mentioned how his "why" and motivation change with time, and he uses the analogy of spirit animals to represent his changing motivations. The interviewee's example is inspiring as he continues to push himself physically and mentally, setting new examples in athletics, and doing it all plant-based. He also offers running holidays for those interested in joining him on adventures.
The Power of Community and Support in Personal Growth: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals, seek guidance from mentors, build a community through various platforms, and support the show by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with others.
Learning from today's conversation is the importance of community and support in personal growth and making a positive impact. Rich Roll emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals and seeking guidance from mentors and role models. He also shared how he's built a community through his podcast, books, and online platforms, and encouraged listeners to do the same. To learn more about Rich Roll and connect with his resources, visit richroll.com. And don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with others to support the show. Produced by Jason Camiolo and engineered by Cale Curtis, Blake Curtis, Dan Drake, and Tyler Pyatt, Trapper Pyatt, and Harry Mathis. Music by Tyler Pyatt, Trapper Pyatt, and Harry Mathis. Love the support, see you back here soon. Peace, plants. Namaste.
