Your motivation doesn’t have to come from a higher power outside of yourself to do something big. It doesn’t have to be a big ‘why'.’

You can have a huge VO2max, great running economy, process lactate like no one’s business, consume a gazillion calories without an ounce of GI issues, not have a single ache, perfect weather, have a solid taper, and still have a shitty performance in an ultramarathon, not because of anything other than where your mental energy is and has been. 

Here are five mental skills that I saw at the Leadville 100 Run that were clearly working from both the leaders of the race as well as back of the packers.