Is success all in the mind? Courtney Dauwalter is an ultra-marathon runner. When things get hard, she goes to a place in her head called “the pain cave.”
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'This is fine. Everything is fine.'
Is success all in the mind? Courtney Dauwalter is an ultra-marathon runner. When things get hard, she goes to a place in her head called "the pain cave."
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What's happening?
Courtney Dauwalter had run 88 miles through the ColoradoA state in the west of the US that contains much of the Rocky Mountains. mountains when she began to go blind.
With 12 miles of the race left, she decided to carry on.
Soon she could only see her toes, but still she did not give up. With another runner beside her describing the ground ahead, she finished the race. Fortunately her sight soon came back.
A marathon is 26 miles 385 yards long. An ultramarathon is any race longer than that.
In 2012 Courtney made her first attempt at 100 miles, but had to drop out. Then, she told herself that she could do whatever other runners did. Two years later she had her first 100-mile victory.
Find out more
"My process is just to start repeating a positive mantraA phrase that is often repeated, like a motto. The word comes from a Sanskrit term referring to a sacred utterance. to myself," she says. "'You're fine. This is fine. Everything is fine.'"
Is success all in the mind?
Yes! Courtney would never have finished all her races without her positive mind. Her ability to carry on in moments of crisis is what sets her apart from other runners.
No! Having a positive mindset is important of course! But you need to be very, very fit to take part in an ultramarathon. Most people will naturally never be able to run that far.
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Keywords
Colorado - A state in the west of the US that contains much of the Rocky Mountains.
Mantra - A phrase that is often repeated, like a motto. The word comes from a Sanskrit term referring to a sacred utterance.
‘This is fine. Everything is fine.’
Free spirit: Courtney Dauwalter (above) does not have a coach or a strict training plan. She runs in long shorts and baggy clothes because, she says, they are more comfortable. She eats sweets while training and drinks beer afterwards, because that’s what makes her the most happy. Glossary
Colorado - A state in the west of the US that contains much of the Rocky Mountains.
Mantra - A phrase that is often repeated, like a motto. The word comes from a Sanskrit term referring to a sacred utterance.