Beyond the Boardroom
The ultra running journey.
The ultra running journey.
I love being outside. Mountains, trails, open terrain — nature is where I recharge. Movement is central to how I live — running, hiking, cycling, skiing. And I am drawn towards challenging goals that require commitment and consistency.
Ultra trail running demands the ability to sustain effort and clarity of judgement over very long periods of time, in terrain that is unpredictable, in conditions that are often uncomfortable.
These are not incidental to how I approach leadership and value creation — they are the same discipline in different clothes. The preparation before a long race mirrors the rigour of a strategic plan. The ability to stay calm and adjust at kilometre 70 mirrors what it takes to lead a business through transformation.
I train essentially every day and travel with our camper van to trails and races across Europe. It is one of the most rewarding things in my life.
"At kilometre 70, the plan you prepared has largely been replaced by variables you didn't anticipate. How you respond in that moment is what determines whether you finish."
On ultra running — and leadership
Born from the 1955 Tevis Cup horse race, Western States is the world's oldest 100-mile trail race from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California, through the rugged canyons of California's gold country. Participation is capped at around 350 runners determined by an annual lottery.
And the lottery is the long game. You must re-qualify every year by completing a 100K or longer race. Each year without selection, your chances double. A guaranteed spot only comes after ten consecutive years of qualifying. It is a test of longevity — sustained performance over years. That is exactly what makes it worth pursuing.
Javornícka is the qualifier, so the application goes in this November. The odds are low, as they are for almost everyone, and every year in the draw makes the next one a little better. Let’s see.
Neither lottery went my way. That is the nature of a lottery. A clearer calendar leaves room for other mountains.
The season is still on the drawing board. Races in Austria, the UK, Romania and Sweden are on the shortlist. Watch this space.
Before ultra trail, there were the roads. Between 2017 and 2022, the goal was to complete all six World Marathon Majors — and earn the six star finisher medal awarded to those who cross the line in all of them.
Personal best of 3:17 across multiple Boston-qualifying performances. The marathon taught consistency, pacing and the discipline to trust the training. Then the mountains called.
Tokyo · Berlin · Boston · Chicago · New York · London