excellence, actually Best Of: Courtney Dauwalter — Inside the (Joyful) Mind of an Elite Ultrarunner
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Dec 25, 2025 
Courtney Dauwalter, an elite ultrarunner famed for her record-setting wins, shares her unique insights into endurance and joy. She reveals her experience tackling three iconic 100-mile races in just ten weeks, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and a growth mindset. Courtney also discusses her innovative mental strategies, like the 'filing cabinet' method for problem-solving, her transformation of suffering into opportunity, and how she incorporates joy into her intense training, reminding us to embrace challenges with enthusiasm.
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Running A 100K With Her Mom
- Courtney ran a 100K with her mom after training together and enjoying the shared experience on trails.
- The race was hard but special, and her mom kept moving and eating through the dark third loop.
Treat Recovery As Data Collection
- Focus recovery on rest, eating, and gentle movement; avoid forcing activity before the body is ready.
- Use repeated recovery experiences to build a practical folder of what works for you next time.
The Filing Cabinet For Problem Solving
- Courtney visualizes a mental 'filing cabinet' full of past problems and solutions to check during races.
- The imagery keeps problem solving factual and prevents emotions from derailing decisions.