61 Marathons, 61 Days: How Coaching Supports Superhuman Achievements

Jan 10, 2025

In 2024, Aleksander Lingauer set an audacious goal: run 61 marathons in 61 days, crossing Germany one stride at a time. Big dreams come with big doubts, and that’s why he reached out for coaching.

Aleksander wasn’t looking for someone to cheer him on from the sidelines. He wanted clarity, discipline, and a rock-solid mindset to get him across the finish line—not just once but 61 times.

We met twice a month in the months leading up to the challenge. The focus? Strengthening his mental game.

Breaking Bad Habits

Training wasn’t smooth sailing. Aleksander struggled with distractions and habits that sabotaged his progress. We dissected his decision-making process using neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). Together, we uncovered the root of these behaviors and rewired his strategies. The result? Consistent focus and no more skipped runs.

Facing the Doubts

Early on, Aleksander shared a lingering fear: “I’m questioning why I’m even doing this.” Instead of brushing it off, we leaned into the doubt. Using coaching techniques, Aleksander gained clarity on where the doubts came from and what they really meant. He reframed his inner critic—not as a roadblock but as a signal for self-awareness and focus. By the end of our work, the voice that once slowed him down became a powerful tool for reflection and drive.

Reverse-Engineering the Goal

With the help of an NLP exercise called the Timeline, we worked backward from his finish line in Regensburg, Germany. This method gave Aleksander a detailed mental map of every challenge he’d face along the way. By visualizing obstacles and outcomes, we built up the neural pathways that reinforced his motivation and resilience. When race day came, he didn’t just feel prepared—he had already "run" the race in his mind.

Building Safety Nets for Tough Days

The path wasn’t going to be easy—rain, fatigue, and pain were guaranteed. So, we created psychological safety nets: simple mental tools Aleksander could rely on when the going got tough. These weren’t just “pep talks” or affirmations. They were personalized strategies to keep him grounded and focused, no matter the conditions.

The Result

On August 30, 2024, Aleksander crossed the finish line of his 61st marathon, greeted by a cheering crowd in Regensburg.

The journey was brutal, but he made it. Our coaching sessions gave him the clarity, discipline, and tools to push through every mile.

Ben held me to a high standard of conduct—regarding myself, my life, my habits, goals and ambitions. He's a thorough guy. And he places those expectations upon anyone he cares for in his life. His coaching, fundamentally and at its core, is curious, inquisitive, understanding, straight forward and genuine. PROJECT 61 was hard. I’m glad I had Ben’s guidance.

Aleksander Linguaer, Endurance Ahtlete and Writer