What does it take to smash a course record in a 250-mile ultramarathon? For Rachel Entrekin, the answer is surprisingly simple: mashed potatoes and just 19 minutes of sleep.
The 34-year-old American didn't just win the women's division at Arizona's brutal Cocodona 250—she beat every single runner, men included, crossing the finish line in a staggering 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 48 seconds. That's a new course record, and her third consecutive victory in the race.
Speaking to the press the morning after her epic run, Entrekin revealed the unconventional strategy that fueled her historic performance. "Somewhere around mile 200, I slept for five minutes at an aid station," she explained. "Then around 230 miles, I took two seven-minute naps on the floor."
As for nutrition? "Mashed potatoes are the best. You get tired of chewing and you don't want to expend any extra energy doing that." Along with the spuds, she powered through with energy gels, sweets, rice, and broth—and still had enough in the tank for a sprint finish.
The Cocodona 250 is widely considered one of the most punishing ultramarathons on the planet. Runners traverse from the Sonoran Desert through the red rocks of Sedona and up into the hills of Flagstaff, climbing nearly 39,000 feet in total. It's a test of endurance that demands everything from your body—and your mind.
"Men and women obviously have very different skillsets, but in an event like this, it comes down to so much more than just fitness," Entrekin noted. "Your attitude and your ability to combat stress are at least as important as how physically fit you are. The field is so much more leveled at something like this."
Supported by a six-person crew that included her parents, Entrekin showed incredible recovery too. After sleeping from 11 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. post-race, she spent the next day refueling and cheering on other runners crossing the finish line. A former physiotherapist, she even used to go back to work the day after her previous Cocodona wins—a testament to the grit and determination that defines elite ultrarunning.
Whether you're training for your first 5K or dreaming of an ultra, take a page from Entrekin's playbook: fuel smart, rest when you can, and never underestimate the power of a good mashed potato.