What if I told you that the secret to success in your ultramarathon is to become an Endurance Monster?
Itโs that simple.
Or at least, it sounds simple.
Iโll describe the characteristics of an Endurance Monster in a second, but first letโs look at โฆmarathons.
The Difference Between Marathons and Ultramarathons
Marathons are 26.2 miles โ every single one of them.
Most of them are fairly flat, and a lot are on roads and easy paths. There are exceptions, but thatโs the general idea.
In a marathon, you give it your all over those 26.2 miles.
As you run, youโre trying to push yourself to that fine limit between running fast, and going too fast and burning out.
Your Rate of Perceived Exertion in a marathon probably starts around a 6 or 7, and climbs throughout.
Marathons are a one-time deal.
If you blow out at mile 22 it sucks โ but you can still walk to the finish line in an hour.
Then you get to go home, eat ice cream, and celebrate.
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Now, letโs look at Ultramarathons.
Ultramarathons are different beasts altogether.
Some are 50km, some are 100 miles, some crazy ones are even more – or have screwed up formats like a Backyard Ultra or 4x4x48 Challenge.
Most ultras take place on the trails โ they have a habit of being someplace weird, or interesting, or just damn beautiful.
Trails means climbs, descends, obstacles, uneven footingโฆ
In an ultramarathon, youโre out there for so long that youโve got to be prepared for anything to happen.
And this should be reflected in your pace strategy.
* * *
If you turn up to an ultra and run it like you would a marathon, youโre doomed to suffer.
Youโll go out too fast.
You wonโt account for the variety in the trails.
Youโll burn out โ after all, your body can only keep up a certain pace for so long.
When you burn out in a marathon, not all is necessarily lost. Thereโs a decent chance that you can limp onwards to the finish line.
Burning out during an ultra, however . . . not so pretty.
Related: How To Go From Marathon To Ultramarathon
* * *
What Is An Endurance Monster?
So letโs get back to the question in hand โ what exactly is an Endurance Monster?
It is someone who can run all day.
But thatโs not the full story. Becoming an Endurance Monster isnโt just about running ability.
Itโs about mindset, strategy, and your approach to running.
Here are some of the defining characteristics of an Endurance Monster:
- Endurance Monsters are humble and conservative
- Endurance Monsters always keep some energy in their back pocket
- Endurance Monsters train at a variety of speeds and distances, but always race at a sustainable pace
- Endurance Monsters keep their Rate of Perceived Exertion under 8 out of 10 (until right near the end)
- Endurance Monsters know how to manage their fuel, water, and electrolytes as they run
- Endurance Monsters donโt worry if theyโre taking longer in a race than they thought they would
- Endurance Monsters have a relatively low DNF rate
- Endurance Monsters are nice to other runners.
Next time youโre at the finish line of an ultramarathon, look for those runners who are smiling and talkative as they cross the finish line.
They probably didnโt come 1st, but they likely pushed themselves to the edge of their comfortable limits, and knew how to manage themselves.
They are the Endurance Monsters.
How To Become An Endurance Monster
Here are my top tips for becoming an EM:
- Get familiar with listening to your body, and running based on RPE as opposed to your GPS.
- Make friends with other ultra runners โ embrace the community
- Test your gear and nutrition extensively, so you know them intimately before entering any ultras
- Leave your ego and hubris at home โ they can still come out to play when youโre running shorter distances
- Help other runners who are struggling
- In running events, avoid getting attached to target finish times or podium places
- Lean into the run itself โ thatโs what weโre all in it for, after all.
The more of us there are, the stronger our sport becomes.
So โ are you going to become an Endurance Monster?
If youโre interested in the journey, check out the Ultra Runnerโs Playbook โ my complete guide to becoming an Endurance Monster
Sincerely,
Thomas @ Marathon Handbook
(side note: thereโs some cross-over between the ideas in this article and Stoicism, for those interested).

I just finished a 50km in Shanghai to celebrate the new year on Jan. 1, 2021. I am now training for my first 100km in June 2021 in Xinjiang. I am grateful to find Thomas Watson and The Ultra Runner’s Handbook. I am looking forward to finish (and enjoying) my first 100km Ultra this year. Thanks Thomas!
Ethan from Shanghai
Awesome work Ethan!
Thanks for the kind words, and good luck with the 100k!!!
Thomas
This is very good on the mindset. Maybe thatโs why Iโm much more attracted this year to doing an ultra,. Partly because last year showed how little having an ego made a difference to the outcome, and partly because I want to make the most of every healthy cell in my body.
Glad you enjoyed the article, Olga!!!
Thomas