A few years ago, I met a Japanese ultramarathon runner named Tomokazu Ihara, who was starting a campaign to run 100 x 100-mile races (he has completed over 70).
I remember you sent me an article about the Barkley Marathon a while back, it must be a very exhausting and frustrating experience, only suitable for people with the most demanding physical and mental preparation. It's fun to read how Tomokazu explains with humor his initial overconfidence and lack of preparation, and how he learned (the hard way) to improve his ability to cope with this challenge!
Yes, absolutely. He seems to have a great mindset. He has told me other stories that were entertaining. There's an ultra in Hawaii, the HURT100, that a lot of people say is "hard". I asked him about it and he said, "It's not hard. The most difficult part is that the course is a loop that takes you past your stuff every so often, tempting you to say 'fuck it' and drop out."
I remember you sent me an article about the Barkley Marathon a while back, it must be a very exhausting and frustrating experience, only suitable for people with the most demanding physical and mental preparation. It's fun to read how Tomokazu explains with humor his initial overconfidence and lack of preparation, and how he learned (the hard way) to improve his ability to cope with this challenge!
Yes, absolutely. He seems to have a great mindset. He has told me other stories that were entertaining. There's an ultra in Hawaii, the HURT100, that a lot of people say is "hard". I asked him about it and he said, "It's not hard. The most difficult part is that the course is a loop that takes you past your stuff every so often, tempting you to say 'fuck it' and drop out."
Great interview with a remarkable gentleman👍
Thanks! Yes, Tomo is really a lovely guy, and has become a bridge between the Japanese and global ultrarunning communities.