Ultrarunning and the Business of Life: Thriving in the Ups and Downs

Catoctin 50K in Frederick, MD (Photo courtesy of Paul Encarnacion)

For over 20 years, I’ve laced up my shoes and run across some of the most remote, rugged, and unforgiving terrain on Earth. Ultrarunning has taken me up and down countless mountains, across deserts and forests, through cold rain and scorching heat. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned in those endless miles, it’s this: success is not defined by how you handle the easy stretches, but how you respond when everything gets hard.

The truth is, ultrarunning isn’t about running at all — not really. It’s about resilience. It’s about what you do when the miles wear you down, when the hill seems insurmountable, when your body screams to quit, and your mind whispers, “Maybe this is enough.” That is where the real test begins.

And the same is true in life and business.

The Parallels Between Ultrarunning and Business

1. The Starting Line is Just the Beginning

In both ultrarunning and business, crossing the start line is easy. Anyone can start. The challenge lies in maintaining momentum when the initial energy fades and reality sets in — when the project, the company, or the personal challenge stops being exciting and starts being difficult.

2. Embracing the “Downs"

Every ultrarunner knows there will be low points. These are the dark stretches where every step feels impossible. In business, these are the moments of financial uncertainty, a deal falling through, or unforeseen setbacks. The question isn’t if they’ll happen — it’s when. The key is learning how to reset your mindset, focus on the next step, and trust that the “downs” are temporary.

3. Small Wins Matter

In a 100-mile race, I don’t focus on the finish line. I focus on the next tree, the next ridge, the next aid station. In business, this is no different. Big goals are built on small, deliberate steps. Celebrating incremental progress keeps you moving forward when the end seems far away.

4. The Power of Mental Grit

Physical endurance only takes you so far; mental toughness is what carries you to the finish. In both business and life, grit means staying steady when things don’t go your way, having the courage to pivot, and the humility to keep learning — no matter how far you’ve come.

Dealing with the Downs

When I hit a low point in a race, I don’t dwell on how much farther I have to go. I ask myself: “What can I control right now?” Maybe it’s eating something to regain energy, the pair of socks at the next aid station, maybe it’s slowing down to regain rhythm, or maybe it’s just taking the next step — because sometimes, that’s all you can do.

In business, the same mindset applies. During setbacks, we have two choices:

• Pause, reset, and find solutions, or

• Stop altogether.

  
  

Those who succeed aren’t the ones who never fail, but the ones who learn to navigate the valleys, knowing the next peak will eventually come.

Why I Keep Running

Ultrarunning isn’t just a sport — it’s a teacher. It’s taught me that the real competition isn’t against others; it’s against self-doubt, fear, and complacency. It’s about continually showing up, putting in the work, and trusting that every uphill climb builds strength for what’s ahead.

Business, like ultrarunning, is a long game. There will always be ups and downs, moments of doubt, and unexpected obstacles. But the finish line — whatever that means to you — is reserved for those who keep moving forward, one step at a time.

What is your “ultrarun” in life or business right now? What’s your strategy for pushing through the lows and getting to the next peak? I’d love to hear your stories.

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