#Ep38 - Francesco Puppi: The Mindset Behind World-Class Trail Running & His Western States Ambitions

On this episode of the RunThrough Trails podcast, we’re joined by Francesco Puppi, one of the best trail running athletes on earth and the recent champion of CCC.

Francesco shares why the process of running matters more to him than the final outcome and how external success doesn’t always reflect how an athlete truly feels. He opens up about staying motivated through a genuine love for the sport rather than outside validation, and the essential role mental resilience plays in getting through tough training blocks and race moments.

Francesco reflects on how experience has shaped his understanding of his own limits and how it guides his approach to training. He talks about the importance of versatility across different distances to keep training exciting, as well as the need for a holistic approach that balances running with the rest of life. With his sights set on Western States, he also discusses the unique mental challenges of ultra running and the mindset required to overcome them.