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Ultra Tip Tuesday #8: The Chimp Paradox & Ultra Running: Your Mind’s Secret Race

Running

Ultra Tip Tuesday #8: The Chimp Paradox & Ultra Running: Your Mind’s Secret Race

Trails, Tales, and Fails - An Ultra Running Podcast›
Feb 10, 20264:39

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Episode Notes

In ultra running, your brain isn’t just one voice — it’s two.

🐒 The Chimp: Emotional, impulsive, scared of pain and discomfort. It wants to stop when things get tough.
🧑‍💼 The Human: Logical, goal-focused, calm under pressure. It knows the long game and pushes through.

The trick?
Don’t fight your Chimp — work WITH it.

✅ Acknowledge when your Chimp screams “Quit!”
✅ Calm it down with positive self-talk and reminders of your why
✅ Let your Human plan, pace, and focus on progress
✅ Use your Chimp’s energy — channel fear and frustration into determination

Ultras aren’t just physical — they’re a mental battle.
Master your inner Chimp, and the miles become your playground.

What’s your go-to way to calm your Chimp mid-run? Drop it below! 👇

Support the show via ⁠Patroen ⁠and buy us a coffee.

We’re proud to be supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Protein Rebel⁠⁠⁠⁠ — get 15% off with code TTF15 — and by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Beta Outdoor Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠, where you can get 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠BV Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠ compression and apparel, plus 10% off ⁠⁠⁠⁠Näak Nutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠ products to fuel your adventures using TTF10.

For coaching enquiries.

Don’t forget to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to join our Strava club to connect with fellow trail lovers and celebrate your own achievements.

👉 Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trails, Tales, and Fails Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to continue the conversation and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners.

If you enjoy the episode, please leave us a rating and share it with your running buddies.

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