Pressed for Presence

#6: Running Ultramarathons to Honor Those Who Can't | Wes Harshbarger

Drew Korf Episode 6

Wes Harshbarger is an Ultramarathon runner, and a Controller at a hospital in Dillon, Montana.

In today's episode with Wes, we dive into the world of ultra running and cover everything from training regiments to the self-talk it requires to finish a race. Wes shares his journey into the world of ultra-endurance races, starting with the pivotal moment when a Cameron Hanes Instagram post inspired him to tackle the Crazy Mountain 100, and fast-forwarding to his recent race at the Hurt 100 in Hawaii where he had one of the most difficult moments in his running career.

He discusses the mental challenges he faces in different aspects of ultra running, the strategies he developed to overcome them, and the importance of staying consistent and setting personal goals. Wes also touches on dealing with the 'runner's blues,' the role of community in the sport, and how focusing on mental resilience helped him push through some of the toughest moments in his racing career. 

This conversation was a great look into the mental fortitude required to succeed in ultra running, and the application of those lessons into everyday life.

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Find Wes At:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wes_harshbarger/


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Show Chapters:

00:00 Catching Up

00:11 Discovering Ultra Running

02:50 First Steps

09:22 Balancing Life and Running

18:57 Challenges of Ultra Running

23:16 Training and Recovery

30:47 Motivation vs. Discipline

39:41  Building Positive Feedback Loops

41:16  Small Wins

43:01 Mental Resilience in Ultras

47:50 The HURT 100 Experience

01:08:47 Reflecting on the Journey

01:12:09 The Mental Struggle of Long-Distance Running

01:13:44 The Runner's Blues

01:16:12 Comparison

01:18:28 Balancing Running with a Full-Time Job

01:24:35 Building a Community

01:35:48 Reflecting on the Journey