Is Mental Toughness Overrated? What Really Wins in Ultrarunning (Long Run Archives #36)
Is Mental Toughness Overrated? What Really Wins in Ultrarunning (Long Run Archives #36)  
Podcast: Singletrack
Published On: Fri Jan 23 2026
Description: In this edition of Long Run Archives, we talk about: Arlen Glick’s departure from Craft Sportswear, whether mental toughness is often overstated, and that physical fitness is what truly wins races, the idea of "super-domestiques" in ultra, Ben Dhiman vs the Boulder Boys, and media narratives around 200-mile "specialists".Chapters:00:00 — Arlen Glick’s Departure from Craft06:57 — Could Ultrarunning Ever Have a Smut TV Series?23:03 — Is Mental Toughness Overrated in Ultrarunning?29:56 — Mental Warfare and Training Philosophy32:45 — Community Support as a Competitive Advantage35:39 — Training Partners: Breakthrough or Burnout?39:20 — Pacing Ethics and Team Tactics in Ultrarunning53:39 — Ben Dhiman vs. the Boulder Boys1:03:30 — What Makes a 200-Mile Specialist?1:13:30 — Media Narratives, Visibility, and Performance MetricsPartners:Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/)Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/)Momentous - use code SINGLETRACK for up to 35% off your first order (https://livemomentous.com/) Additional Links:Arlen Glick Strava PostFollow Jeff on Instagram, Strava, YoutubeFollow Brett on Instagram, Strava, Youtube, and CoachingFollow Finn on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Youtube, and PatreonSupport the show