Playing the Long Game: Overarching Mental Strategies for Last Person Standing Races We’ve explored specific tools for your Backyard ultra mental preparation, toolkit – techniques for building toughness, staying motivated, managing pain, using mantras, visualization, and positive self-talk. But success in a Backyard Ultra (BYU) or any Last Person Standing race, requires more than just … Read more
Demons in the Dark? Managing Hallucinations (Sleep Monsters) During Your Backyard Ultra As you push deeper and deeper into the relentless cycle of a Backyard Ultra, often battling extreme fatigue after 24, 48, or even more hours, you might encounter one of ultra-endurance running’s strangest phenomena: hallucinations. Often affectionately (or nervously) termed “sleep monsters,” these … Read more
Hitting Refresh: Quick Mental Reset Techniques Between Backyard Ultra Laps The Backyard Ultra demands relentless physical output, but the mental game is equally taxing. The short breaks between loops – often just 5 to 15 minutes – are crucial not only for physical refueling (Backyard ultra nutrition plan,) and gear adjustments (Backyard ultra gear guide,) … Read more
The Walking Tired: Coping with Sleep Deprivation in the Backyard Ultra Push deep enough into a Backyard Ultra, and you’ll inevitably confront one of its most formidable and defining challenges: extreme sleep deprivation. For anyone aiming beyond the first 24 hours, learning strategies for Coping with sleep deprivation backyard ultra, style isn’t just helpful, it’s … Read more
Fueling the Fire Within: Strategies for Staying Motivated During a Long Backyard Ultra You’ve trained your body, prepared your mind, and dialed in your gear and nutrition. The bell rings, and your Backyard Ultra (BYU) journey begins. While initial excitement might carry you through the early loops, anyone aiming for significant distances knows that motivation … Read more