‘Pushing through the pain cave’: Lived experiences of pain tolerance in male ultra-marathon runners

Abstract

Extant research has typically focused on the study of pain tolerance in endurance sport from a psychophysiological perspective, with findings illustrating that ultra-runners can tolerate pain for a longer duration of time than non-running active controls. However, qualitative investigation that explores the lived experiences of pain tolerance in ultra-running has been limited thus far.This research explored the lived experiences of pain tolerance in male ultra-marathon runners and how this evolved over time. Six male ultra-marathon runners were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The methodology and analysis were guided by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four group experiential themes (GETs) were identified, and these are: building relationships with pain, what is ‘real’ pain? gratification of pushing through pain, and the trajectory of enduring hardship.The findings highlight the challenge of distinguishing between discomfort and real pain and the influence of socio-cultural norms on pain tolerance within ultra-running. The study raises important applied implications for coaches and sport psychology practitioners with regards to developing a holistic picture of ultra-runners’ pain experiences and cultivating environments that facilitate multiple narratives and enhance individuals ultra-running experiences.