Mediocre Runner's Journey to the Barkley and Advice on Resilience

1min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

The narrator was a mediocre runner with goals to improve. They attempted the Barkley race and completed 100 miles in five years. Despite their advantage in course knowledge, they took a wrong turn that cost them four hours. They suggest that kids play sports appropriate to their age to develop resilience. Ultra marathons are more for older individuals.

Lazarus Lake is a renowned ultramarathon runner and designer. His most famous creation (along with his friend Raw Dog) is the Barkley Marathons, an absurdly difficult 100-mile race through the Tennessee wilderness that only 17 people have ever finished in its nearly 30-year existence.

Tyler and Laz discuss what running 100 miles tells you about yourself that running 26 miles does not, why so many STEM professionals do ultramarathons, which skill holds people back the most, why his entrance fee is no more or less than $1.60, the importance of the Barkley’s opaque application process, how much each race costs to mount, whether he sees a decline in stoicism and inner strength in America, what accounting taught him about running, which books influenced him the most, who's going to win the NBA title next year, how he’s coping with increasing fame, the competition he’s most focused on now, and more.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video.

Recorded June 29th, 2023.

Other ways to connect

Follow us on X and Instagram
Follow Tyler on X
Join our Discord
Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu
Learn more about Conversations with Tyler and other Mercatus Center podcasts here.