"I see it as an act of resistance... an uprising against loneliness." [23]
Unlike road marathons, ultras often involve rugged terrain, extreme elevation changes, and sleep deprivation [3]. Success depends more on "durability" and mental fortitude than raw speed [34, 36]. Ultras
These races are often called "fueling contests disguised as running races." Runners must manage complex nutrition (often real food rather than gels), gear transitions, and "low points" where the mind wants to quit [3, 17]. "I see it as an act of resistance