Psychological Attributes, Coping Strategies and Other Factors Associated with Ultramarathon Performance

Mood states, symptomatology, coping strategies and training characteristics associated with running an ultramarathon were examined to explain racing performance and assess psychological health state. A total of 117 subjects were surveyed in 2 races (50-mile and 100-mile). Mood states and symptomatology were examined via a time-series approach with subjects queried pre, post, 1 week post, 1 month post, and 3 months postrun. Tension was found to be significantly greater prerun when compared to other administrations. Vigor was found to be significantly lower immediately postrun compared to the other administrations, whereas fatigue was found to be greater immediately postrun. Confusion was greater immediately postrun but had returned to prerace levels by 1 month postrun. Casualties were less fatigued and more depressed immediately postrun than were survivors. Additionally, survivors were found to be in better physical condition than casualties.The survivors weighed less, had been running for a longer period of time, ran more miles per week and ran at a faster training pace. Coping strategies were found to have an effect on performance. It appears that individuals who partition the race into segments fare better than those who do not . Finally, age, expected finish time and training pace are the best predictors for one's finish time in a 50-mile ultramarathon.