Running 10K With The World's Greatest Long Distance Runner
And the 10 life-changing pieces of advice he offered while we ran.
There I stood, stripped down in my underwear with some white tennis shoes.
The sun had just emerged and the humidity was almost suffocating.
Anthony looked like he was born for this - ripped jean shorts, a crop top with 'hero' on the front and 'villain' on the back, golden hair tied in a ponytail, caressing shaker hand weights, and barefoot shoes.
Everything about him screamed, "I can run for long distances."
The Journey Begins
This story began months earlier.
One day at work I decided to take a walk and listen to Ben Greenfield’s podcast.
The episode featured Anthony Kunkel, an ultra-marathoner from Durango, Colorado.
This dude has snagged titles like:
2017 USATF 50-Mile Road National Champion
2018 100-kilometer Road National Champion
But for Anthony, it wasn't just about collecting medals.
He was deep into:
Ketogenic diets
Psychedelics
Spirituality
Biohacking
During the podcast, he mentioned how he ran twenty miles, from the airport to record the podcast.
Who the hell does that?
This Anthony guy was operating on a different level, and I had no idea how soon our paths would cross.
The Biohacking Conference
Fast forward five months, and I’m at the 10th annual biohacking conference.
The conference filled two stories in the building.
Amidst the crowd of blue light-blocking glasses and EMF protection devices, I spotted a man with golden hair in a ponytail, wearing jean shorts, and barefoot.
I invited him to our booth for some free samples, and that was that...
Or so I thought.
The Unexpected Run
The next day, I happened to spot Anthony in the lobby.
It was the night before the big party at the conference, which was themed Space Cowboy. Everyone's tongues were blue because Dr. John Lieurance was handing out methylene blue troches.
I talked with Anthony about the party when he said "Nah man, I gotta have my two hours."
Two hours of what??
Two hours of running, of course.
"Wanna go for a run?" he asked.
"Bro, I haven't run in years. I might die" I replied.
"Nah, it'll be cool. Let's have some fun."
The Run Begins
We parked right next to the trail.
As we started, I quickly realized that Anthony's relaxed pace was my intense workout.
His Zone 2 was my Zone 4.
I was chilling the first mile, and we were playing around, but then it hit me.
I was in a state I'd never experienced before, trying to maintain deep nasal breathing but I was gasping for air.
Lactic acid pulsed through my muscles, begging me to stop.
Despite my wheezing and sweating, I felt a connection to my surroundings I'd never known.
"The funny thing about DJs and ultramarathoners is that we are essentially searching for the same thing. All the lasers, and drugs and social interactions, we basically do the same thing, it's just drastically different." - Anthony Kunkel.
Eventually, I stopped while Anthony continued with his friend he had seen on the trail.
When I saw Anthony returning, I playfully got into a track position as if he was about to hand me a baton. To my amazement, after running 5 miles, he broke into a full sprint like it was nothing.
Post-Run
After the run, Anthony led me through some breathing exercises to open up the fascia.
We manipulated our bodies in certain positions while pinching our noses. It was quite an experience. Looking like absolute freaks on the trail.
We then went to my place to eat.
Anthony didn't mind the mess of supplements and athletic clothes - it reminded him of his place.
We shared:
Raw kefir
Organic frozen fruit doused in raw avocado honey
A perfectly reverse-seared steak cooked to medium-rare at 130°F
After the lovely biohacker dinner, we pulled back up to the conference.
I spotted Dave Asprey absolutely getting down on the stage. Bro seemed like he was on MDMA or one of its precursors, but that's just wild speculation.
The night ended in Anthony's hotel room, trying out different ketones - KE4 to be exact, an amazing new recipe.
We discussed life, and Anthony shared profound insights, like:
"I only believe there are 9s in this world. A 10 is a 9 with a unique niche."
Anthony's lifestyle fascinated me.
He wakes up happy to see the sun shining, the river flowing cold, and the sauna hot.
He's excited about his sardines and avocados and doesn't check his bank account.
Leaving that hotel room reminded me of how life can be lived.
Two days after the run, I could barely walk.
My calves screamed at the slightest touch. But it was all worth it.
Running with Anthony showed me that elite athletes don't flaunt their talents - they simply maintain a speed and mindset unlike any other human.
Their infinite love for the world drives them to such long distances.
10 Tips I Learned Running a 10K with the World's Greatest Long-Distance Runner
1. Say yes to the unknown
Saying yes to the unknown is a win for your future self. Learning about the world, gaining new knowledge, new experiences, and new wisdom that you can apply for the rest of your life.
That’s neuroplasticity right there. It’s fundamental to human existence.
Don't always take the easy route.
When faced with an unexpected opportunity, embrace it.
You might find a new best friend, a new passion, or insights you never imagined.
Even if you dislike the experience, you'll learn something about yourself.
It's a win-win.
2. You have more in the tank than you think
I remember during the run I kept asking, “Hey man, when’s the break?”
All Anthony had to say was, “C’mon man, push!”
And that was that. I kept running.
You have way more in the tank than you might believe. By pushing beyond your comfort zone a little bit each day like;
Reading for 10 extra minutes
Doing 2 more reps on a workout
Being a little more patient with your family
You transform yourself into a new person. A person who is more resilient and harder to kill. Adversity is a familiar friend that you embrace.
You are unique compared to the general population. You gain such an advantage when you push yourself more than before.
Surprise yourself with what you can achieve. Tell the mind no and go for 5 more minutes.
3. Be aware of your self limitations.
Fuck self-limitations.
Who made those up, your brain??
I love myself and my life but sometimes the brain and body are dumb af and just want to eat food all day.
You're capable of more than you realize. You were designed to overcome challenges. Believe in your ability to push through obstacles.
4. Life is too short to say no
Routine is amazing.
How you live your days is how you live your life, but if you never change anything, how can you adapt?
How can you become more resilient and harder to kill if nothing is difficult?
Don't let routine dictate your life. During the run, every inch of my body was saying,
“Nah man go home eat that steak and watch your netflix, its been a long day”
What would I have learned from that?
Be willing to skip the expected for the extraordinary. Your next favorite memory or accomplishment might come from an unexpected choice.
5. Learn to love hard things
People who love doing hard things are the most successful in this world.
Wanna get rich? Do hard things.
Wanna be sexy? Do hard things.
Wanna be smart? DO hard things.
It’s plain and simple. Once you begin to do hard things and then reward yourself after, your brain will associate those activities with dopamine and feel-good endorphins.
This cycle of challenge and reward can lead to deep fulfillment.
So Set a small, challenging goal for yourself and reward yourself after achieving it.
6. Everyone is searching for something
Recognize that we're all on a quest for meaning and fulfillment.
Your path might be different from others, but the search is universal.
As Anthony says,
"The funny thing about DJs and ultramarathoners is that we are essentially searching for the same thing. All the lasers, and drugs and social interactions, we basically do the same thing, it's just drastically different." - Anthony Kunkel.
Reflect on what truly fulfills you and schedule time for it in your week.
7. Where you direct your attention shapes your path
Where the attention goes energy follows. If you focus your energy on your goals, that is where you will go. If you focus your energy all day on yourself and TikTok, you will turn into a bot.
You build momentum through focus and consistent action.
Tip: Write down your top three priorities and ensure you spend time on them daily.
Make your vision broad yet narrow. Know where you're headed and the rough steps it will take to do it every day.
8. Find joy in simplicity
Anthony's lifestyle fascinated me.
He wakes up happy to see the sun shining, the river flowing cold, and the sauna hot.
He's excited about his sardines and avocados and doesn't check his bank account.
Appreciate the world around you. It's more fascinating than any technology.
Find contentment in nature, movement, and simple pleasures.
You don't need countless possessions to be happy. Wake up and smile at the sun.
Embrace the simple joys of being alive. Tip: Spend 10 minutes today appreciating something simple, like a sunset or a cup of coffee.
9. Connect with nature
Nature is the dopest.
Feel like shit? Go in nature.
Wanna be more creative? Go in nature.
Hard time? Nature.
That is all. It’s where we are from, nature unlocks so much more depth in our lives. The more nature you seek, it will be a life well-lived.
Step outside and immerse yourself in your surroundings. Feel the connection between yourself and the natural world. It provides a refreshing perspective after being cooped up indoors.
Take a 15-minute walk outside or take a whizz outside, doesn’t matter.
10. Share wisdom and experiences
Be open to learning from others and generous in sharing your insights. You never know how your experiences might inspire or help someone else. Tip: Share one lesson you've learned recently with a friend or on social media.
So, I ask you:
Do you want to say yes to the unique things in life, or do you want to keep doing the same thing?
The choice is yours.
And who knows?
You might discover new passions and capabilities you never knew you had. Peace, love, and gratitude.
Jack (Kool Health)
Transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or supplement, especially if you have medical conditions or take other medications. Individual results may vary.
This was so amazing. Marathon cat LOL🦋😁. Although I cannot run very long like this, that runners high is quite enchanting.
Enjoyed reading this. I was in the cross country team in high school. I sucked and usually came in last but it showed me how the body changed when you lead it through routines…my calf muscles got so hard😂 and the. I got a job at an ice cream shop, ate ice cream every day and it all changed. Thanks for the motivating words!