The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman Mathieu Blanchard | Hardrock 100 Pre-Race Interview
9 snips
Jul 10, 2025 Mathieu Blanchard, a professional runner with a passion for adventure, shares his insights as he prepares for the challenging Hardrock 100. He discusses his transition from multiple podium finishes at UTMB to tackling this new course, driven by a love for discovering unique environments. Mathieu reflects on the vital role of mental resilience in ultra-running and shares personal anecdotes about acclimatizing to high altitudes and the camaraderie that forms among fellow competitors. His preparation story is both inspiring and relatable for any athlete.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Regrouping After UTMB Disappointment
- Mathieu Blanchard experienced a mental struggle at UTMB due to a misplaced motivation to win instead of enjoying the race.
- After working with a mental coach, he realigned his motivation to focus on adventure, which led to winning Diagonal des Fous.
Winning Focus Can Backfire
- Focusing solely on winning created mental and physical stress for Mathieu Blanchard at UTMB.
- This caused sleep, eating, and injury issues revealing the importance of balanced motivation in ultra running.
Yukon Arctic Ultra Adventure
- Mathieu undertook the Yukon Arctic Ultra in extreme cold to feed his love for adventure in harsh conditions.
- Despite brutal temperatures and dropouts, he finished among only three on foot, embracing the wild challenge.