Running an ultramarathon demands both physical endurance and mental strength, but how much of it is truly mental? Some runners will tell you it’s all mental. I’ve even seen people take on races with little physical training, depending mostly on their mental strength to power them to the finish.

That’s certainly not the approach I would advise. In my experience, the better you prepare your body, the less pressure you put on your mind. That said, while physical preparedness might lighten the mental load to a degree, mental toughness is essential if you want to finish an ultramarathon. Even with a strong, well-trained body, having mental strength remains a major advantage.

In 2023, I trained for my first stage race, a self-supported journey of 250 kms through the Atacama Desert of Chile. I did well and finished in 2nd place. After the race, I made notes about my training and, although I knew at the time that I could have done more in training, I felt that my training plan was not bad. I still believe that, but now, after coaching several racers for desert stage races in Atacama, Gobi, Jordan, Morocco, and even Antarctica, I’ve learned a few things and have updated my training philosophy and methodology. What follows is a basic outline of how to train for a self-supported desert stage race.

In September 2023, I competed in the Atacama Crossing, a 250km 6-stage footrace through the Atacama Desert in Chile. It was my first stage race and I finished feeling strong, injury-free, and in 2nd place.

Ultramarathons have been called eating contests, and for good reason. A runner’s nutrition strategy, or lack of, can have a major impact on how well his or her race day plays out. Here are some basic guidelines that can be considered as you prepare for your next race.

For the last few years, I’ve lived in Vaasa, Finland so I’ve become familiar with how to train when 4-6 months of the year are in winter conditions. This experience has informed how I would go about my training and preparation if I were planning to race in an ultramarathon or stage race in Antarctica.