The athletes in this race are Ultra-marathoners, and they are the world’s elite, not only in physical stamina, strength and endurance, but in mental fortitude. The participants of Badwater, are the toughest of the tough.

It’s no wonder, that I was eager to interview 2014 winner, Harvey Lewis.

I wanted to find out what are the mental components and traits of a champion athlete in the world of ultra-marathons.

As it turns out, Harvey, leads a normal life outside of being a champion athlete. He has taught high school social studies for over a decade in the Cincinnati Public Schools. He enjoys coaching marathoners and pacing marathons with the Clifbar pace team.

However within the world of running, Harvey has extensive experience, having run marathons for 23 years and ultras for 18 years. In 2014 he won the Badwater 135, listed by National Geographic as the world’s toughest race. He has run many historic routes, including Ghandi’s 240-mile Salt March.

To compete at the level that Harvey races, one has to be mentally and emotionally resilient, and straight out rock solid. No ifs, no buts, no hesitations, no blaming, no excuses.

I have incredible respect for Harvey, and I am unbelievably thrilled to bring you his interview, especially as he is preparing for Badwater which is just a few short weeks away.

Thank you Harvey, and welcome, to begin…..

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into ultra-running?

I got into running ultras at a relatively young age. I was comparable to Chunk from Goonies in elementary and middle school. Somehow, I convinced my mother to sign me up for the Cleveland Marathon shortly after I had begun running track at age 15.

With no training I survived. It was really the toughest physical and mental event I had ever experienced. But I finished, even with a time of over 5 hours, it was a real feeling of success and the start to all the running that has come since.

A friend of my parents, Audrey Schroader, who herself got into racing marathons in her fifties, took an interest in my endeavors as a teenager. She took me to the FANS 24 hour race to run a few miles with one of her friends who was racing.

I thought the race was the craziest thing, but a few years later I was going through the challenges of being a young father, supporting a family while working full-time and going to school. I needed a mountain to train and traveling out-of-town was really out of the question for financial reasons.

So I entered the FANS race just to see how far I could cover in 24 hours. I ran 82 miles but I felt invigorated sprinting the final mile. Nearly two decades later I’m running the furthest I’ve ever reached and representing the USA in the World Championship (PR 158.74 miles, April, 2015. 9th place in the world).

You are the winner of what is deemed the “world’s toughest foot race” how did you mentally prepare for this race knowing you had 135 miles to run in 24 hours in ridiculously challenging weather conditions?

The idea of not finishing never enters my mind. If it does I vaporize the thought. It’s only a matter of how. I like to really focus hard on about four big races a year, although I race a couple dozen. It’s comparable to a boxer or UFC fighter. Ultrarunners are tougher than most people imagine.

If I was to be stranded in the middle of the wilderness with fierce conditions I would likely choose an Ultrarunner for a partner in a survival situation rather than a professional athlete of any of the top three big professional sports, or even a UFC fighter.

The best ultrarunners develop a calm demeanor under pressure and have incredible strength for holding on, and not in minutes but in hours and even days, when they are absolutely depleted.

Athletes in Badwater and many other ultra marathons simulate challenges that  put our bodies through rigorous obstacles such as distances, altitude and temperatures that would probably push the most elite special forces to their limits.

What advice or pearls of wisdom would you have for someone interested in, no pun intended, following in your footsteps and competing in Ultra-Marathons?

Choose some smaller goals every three months and at least one larger goal each year. You need goals to stay motivated. Find friends to train with. If there is a training group in your city that’s a great idea.

Even marathon training really helps to build up for an ultra. I do some coaching, and athletes also find this really invaluable to advance quicker although it is not necessary to have a coach.

You have been in inspiration to millions around the world, who inspires you? Who are your mentors?

My parents are my inspiration. My father is the toughest person I know in many ways. At 75 he can still probably out canoe me. Being an engineer he is a great problem solver and level-headed.

He exposed me to the great outdoors as a kid on many long hiking treks. He continues to live a very active lifestyle with my step-mother. I have learned so much also from my step-mother. As a social worker I believe she taught me to value relationships and experiences in life more than things and money.

It has helped to fuel my fire in a sport that doesn’t offer million dollar salaries even when you are among the best in the world.

My mother, who was a nurse before her stroke, and has a relentless spirit of optimism and is a fighter for her convictions. I’ve learned equally as much from her.

My parents are definitely my greatest fans and inspiration.

What’s the most important lesson you have learned?

To never give up in what you believe. 24 years after my first marathon I am the fastest I have ever been. I would have never believed it when I started the journey running at 13 that it would take me this far.

It’s been very much a chisel each day, always tweaking, striving to improve. I have finished in every type of place from last to first. Although, I generally finish closer to the front now I’m grateful to just participate.

In one sentence or phrase how would you define success?

While society defines success in nearly every culture, I believe success can only really be understood by each individual. What makes you happy.

My definition of success is applicable for my own standard I hold for myself. I won’t feel successful unless I do my very best, perhaps surprise myself and make an impact on others.

What’s the most important personality trait that you feel has greatly helped you?

I have a lot of love! It takes love to push your body and mind to such extremes. A lot goes through my mind when I’m in the fight.

What was the most difficult decision you had to make?

The only thing that came to mind was the Spartathlon in 2010. It’s a 153 mile race following the footsteps of Pheidippides from Athens to Sparta, Greece.

I didn’t do my research well enough and simulate the proper training. Also, I had some other hiccups, such as arriving five hours before the start of the race due to an emergency landing on our flight over from the states.

It was my only DNF (Did not finish). It wasn’t that difficult of a decision and I haven’t regretted it because it was questionable if I could have even made the time cut off, but dropped out at ~114 miles into the race.

What was the best decision you made?

To run that marathon at age 15, when everyone said I couldn’t.

What’s next for Harvey Lewis, what else do you want to do or accomplish?

I love racing the Badwater 135 and I see myself continuing to race it in the future. I’m continuing to plan trips with my personal business RunQuestTravel.com  (we take people on 7 day running holidays to Portugal) for 2016 and I would like to open up to coaching more runners.

I like to challenge myself with a new style or a difficult race and I have a big one in the works for 2016.

What question should I have asked you that I didn’t? Why is it important and what is the answer?

What are some other unique aspects to your regimen?

I train commuting by running to and from work carrying a backpack. I’ve explored 73 countries, from running and discovering new trails or alleys in my neighborhood to around the world. This fuels much of my running today.

My girlfriend also is a runner and we really enjoy sharing the lifestyle. (Perhaps not unique but important to me. She’s a big support as well). I’ve been vegetarian for 20 years and I credit it also with helping me to be a better athlete and excelling.

Thanks so much!!

To learn more about Harvey Lewis and his incredible journey, you can follow him on his Facebook page – Harvey Lewis Ultrarunner.

To learn more about Harvey’s company and to possibly train with him, check out his company Run Quest Travel.