Pointless Goals: What Running for 24 Hours Taught Trevor Cichosz

The Why

“Running is a tree. The more you run, the more roots you plant. The more roots you plant, the stronger your ligaments, bones, and muscles will become.”

Running is a pointless endeavor. There’s no parade at the finish line, no songs to be sung, and no statues to be built. You’re greeted with a banana and a bagel and sent on your way.

Even that sense of accomplishment and recognition of your weeks, months, and even years of training fades. When I asked Trevor why he does what he does, he chuckled, “I have no clue. They’re pretty pointless when you think about it.”

We’re talking the day after his 6-hour “test” run. Trevor is an obstacle course athlete, but not just any athlete. Trevor competes in the World’s Toughest Mudder — a 24-hour, punishing test of endurance, grit, and mental fortitude — every year since 2013.

“It’s a 5-mile loop, and you see how many laps you can do in 24 hours. There are anywhere between 20–30 obstacles. And most of them are water-based. They want to keep you wet,” says Trevor.

His first attempt did not go well. Trevor laughs and says he made every mistake in the book. He ran with a wetsuit in the blistering heat, wore brand-new shoes, and didn’t hydrate or fuel properly. Still, he managed an impressive 75 miles.

Growing up in the PNW, Trevor didn’t play any team sports. He opted instead for activities such as motocross and skateboarding. Eventually, he found his way into the military, which is how he cultivated a fondness for running.

After spending years running every morning, he kept up that routine after he left the service. But something was missing. He remembers yearning for a challenge and a sense of adventure.

Trevor owns his own business, and due to his work, he’s exposed to many different fitness disciplines. Because of this, he met a gentleman training for the Leadville 100.

This legendary race is a grueling 50-mile, out-and-back course through rugged Colorado. Less than 50% of participants finish the race within the 30-hour time cap.

“I could do that,” he thought. So, he started training by competing in obstacle course races. In 2014, he got 3rd at the World’s Toughest Mudder, completing 90 miles (18 laps).

He elevated his name in 2015 by claiming 2nd place after completing 95 miles (19 laps). Then, in 2016, Trevor was crowned champion, completing an astonishing 105 miles (21 laps).

Trevor still competes in obstacle course races. But his focus is shifting. For instance, he ran a 200-mile race across Scotland.

“Every mile you run is a penny, so you gotta run a lot of miles to earn $1.”

Then he tackled the Himalayas, running the same path as Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary — the first two people to climb Mt. Everest.

Trevor was joking about running being pointless. Sure, there are extrinsic rewards, but those are few and far between, and that’s not what he’s after.

Trevor says that when he first started, it was all about me, me, me. But eventually, his motivation evolved into the desire to see things. Nowadays, Trevor Cichosz is all about seeing with new eyes.

The Community

Obstacle course athletes are a unique breed. As such, it’s a tight community. Trevor mentions that it’s not uncommon for athletes to share Uber’s to races or AirBnbs during race days. And they bring this sense of community with them on the course.

“Running long distances, you’ll get attached to someone and chat with them for 30 minutes. It helps,” notes Trevor.

That might seem odd. Or even obvious. But you’ll be grateful for the company when you’re 15 hours into a 24-hour race.

The Training

“Every mile you run is a penny, so you gotta run a lot of miles to earn $1,” remarks Trevor when I ask him about his training.

To him, it’s actually quite simple; the more you run, the better. Instead of racking up more miles, Trevor focuses on the quality of the miles he’s depositing. He accumulates 5–8 hours a week. He will also incorporate weight training or Olympic lifting as needed.

Whether you track your running based on miles or time is a personal preference. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, depending on what your goals are.

But regardless of your preference, the reality is there are no shortcuts. And Trevor is adamant about this. At the end of the day, “Time equals success. You gotta put in the hours.”

“Time equals success. You gotta put in the hours.”

The Food

Nutrition will differ for everyone. But one thing is for sure: food is fuel.

Before a race, Trevor tries to ingest as much iron as possible. Iron supports your red blood cells in carrying oxygen to your muscles and tissues. So, his go-to pre-race meal includes spinach, steak, and potatoes.

During the race, Trevor opts for gels and electrolytes. These are easily accessible and pack a punch. But should you need something more, there are pit areas for athletes to stop and refuel.

Trevor’s post-race meal is a little less scientific: pizza and beer. He’ll keep a pizza on his nightstand and nurse that for a few days until he regains his appetite.

As he says, “It takes a few days. It’s tough to eat anything after cause your body is trying to comprehend what happened.”

The Gear

A 24-hour race with a few dozen military-style obstacles mixed in gives the impression you’ll need quite a few pieces of gear. But that’s not the case for Trevor.

“Gear is a crutch,” he says. “Relying too much on gear means you’re less reliant on yourself.”

Trevor does have his essentials, though, which include a good pair of shoes. He uses $50 Saucony’s off Amazon and has for several years.

Other items he deems nice to have are a watch to track your time and pace and a running belt to hold your gels.

The Advice

Trevor doesn’t use a coach. Instead, he prefers to train by feel. He says it’s his stubbornness. But in a sense, Trevor has several coaches.

Throughout his career, he’s read almost every book on running imaginable. Each one offers a different perspective, tip, or approach. He does provide this nugget, which supports his training philosophy.

“Running is a tree. The more you run, the more roots you plant. The more roots you plant, the stronger your ligaments, bones, and muscles will become.”