Ultra runner Dylan Bowman battles self-doubt and identity crisis, but emerges by focusing on ‘emotional fitness’
- Dylan Bowman battles self-doubt after a succession of injuries and illnesses, and believes it’s important to share when you are struggling emotionally
Top ultra runner Dylan Bowman has struggled with self-doubt for over a year, but is now emerging from his low by focusing on “emotional fitness”.
“I've lived such a charmed life, in my entire life this is the first time I've ever dealt with a prolonged low point,” Bowman said.
“It was never a question of whether I'd share it. It just felt like something worth sharing. We live in an age when it's really important to share this stuff and not just glorious sunsets and pictures of trophies. It's important to be real and share how we really feel.”
The American’s resume speaks for itself – second at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc’s TDS in 2018, winner of the Ultra Trail Mount Fuji the same year and North Face Endurance Challenge winner in 2017, among other victories. But Bowman’s issues began in January 2019 when he was in Hong Kong for the Vibram Hong Kong 100. He became very ill on arrival, attempted the race anyway but did not finish.
“But even before that I wasn't feeling myself on a mental and physical level. I fell out of a groove – my training wasn't going well. I wasn't feeling strong, healthy or energetic. That was outwardly manifested when I went to Hong Kong,” he said.