Ego is the Enemy: Pro Ultrarunner Ian Sharman on Training Your Mindset

Runners often struggle with mindset blocks, so let's tackle them together.

 

Ian Sharman is the founder of Sharman Ultra Coaching, a team of elite running coaches. He ran his personal best marathon of 2:21 at age 43, and a half marathon PR of 1:03 at age 44. Ian's won over 50 marathon+ races with at least one win every year for 19 (and counting) consecutive years.

 

Ian also holds the fastest time in a trail 100-mile race by a Brit at 12h44m, boasts the record for the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning (69h49m), has won the USATF 100-mile trail championship twice, and is a four-time Leadville Trail 100 Champion.

 

We talk about:

• Ian’s training approach for his recent half marathon personal best
• Running by feel and adapting to race conditions
• Balancing ego and process in training
• Comparison’s impact on training and performance
• Racing mindset strategies
• Handling pre-race excitement and execution

Send this episode to a friend who has a 2025 race so they can improve their mindset for it!

 

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Ian on Instagram
• Follow @sharmanian on Threads, Bluesky and X
• Ian’s website: sharmanultra.com
• Join to my upcoming live mental toughness training.

 

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