Kilian Korth finally cracked the code for a successful race at Cocodona 250 on his forth attempt. It didn’t come without challenges and unpredictable hurdles to clear. Kilian is one of the best problem solvers in the sport. We discuss his approach, problem solving, and what makes Cocodona and multiday events so appealing in the modern ultramarathon era.
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Kilian: IG @runtoughmindset | Substack: https://runtoughmindset.substack.com/about
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Summary:
Podcast Summary: Zach Bitter interviews Killian Korth on his 2025 Cocodona 250 experience
Context & Setup: Killian returns to the podcast in better shape than after the Triple Crown. He discusses his strong performance at Cocodona 250 after winning all three Triple Crown 200s the prior year.
Allergy Management Success:
No major issues this year thanks to 6 months of allergy shots, an early bloom from a prior heatwave, and prophylactic inhaled steroid use.
He has a history of severe allergies/asthma, including a 2015 incident that pulled him from a race.
Race Highlights & Challenges:
Strong early race, caught Rachel Entrekin briefly around Munds Park (~190 miles).
Major glute shutdown created his lowest mental point ever (without DNFing): freezing rain, sticky mud, negative thought spiral, seductive “just quit” voice.
Walked easy sections, took a rare 45-minute nap at Fort Tuthill
Glute slowed him but became manageable; strong final sections (e.g., fast 17-mile Walnut Canyon split).
Finished ~24 hours faster than his previous Cocodona time despite the issue.
Durability & Adaptation Theme:
Emphasized mental/physical durability: adapted mechanics to run ~70 miles on a compromised glute without breaking down further.
Discussed trade-offs: pushing through can risk future races (e.g., upcoming Tor des Géants) but was necessary here due to history/ego/motivation.
Cognitive load of nagging pain/injury is extremely fatiguing over multi-day distances.
Mental Game Insights:
Used ego strategically as “rocket fuel” in final miles (e.g., when chased) without letting it dictate big decisions.
Pain tolerance as both strength and potential weakness; highs after deep lows feel sublime.
Sleep deprivation, memory gaps, and post-race processing take time; writing a race report helped.
Cocodona Ecosystem & Sport Growth:
Praised Aravaipa’s professional live stream, media setup, and self-reinforcing cycle of competition → better times → more viewers.
Noted Rachel’s breakout performance and broader visibility; potential for more athletes to target it as a stepping stone to professionalism.
Media/influencer presence (drones, crews, Andy Glaze-style content) seen as mostly positive, which expands the sport without overly disrupting racers.
Compared perceptions (e.g., Let’s Run poll on Sebastian Sawe vs. Rachel) showing growing public understanding of multi-day demands beyond raw speed.
Training & Nutrition for This Race:
Focused on running “douche grade” climbs even at the end of hard long runs to build the reflex for runnable terrain.
Nutrition breakthrough: 100% gels (Precision) + drink mix, no solid food for 60 hours—zero stomach issues; plans to continue this.
Carb intake adjusted dynamically (120g/hr early, down to 60g/hr later) based on terrain/effort.
Recovery & Reflections:
Lost ~10–12 lbs
Rebuilding process: high protein, let hunger guide eating for ~2 weeks, return to prior strength levels (e.g., squats/deadlifts) in ~3 weeks.
Views Cocodona as culmination of a 5-year project; very satisfying despite the glute issue (MRI showed bruising, improving).
Future Plans:
Considering dropping back to 100-mile distance (e.g., Kodiak 100) to test potential and qualify for UTMB.
Kilian & Zach plan to work together for Kilian’s 100 mile attempt
Special edition socks launching soon: Kilina + Creepers Socks.
