Mastering the Comrades Mindset: 2026 Comrades Champ George Kusche unpacks his training

What does it actually take to win the world's oldest ultramarathon? In this episode, we sit down with George Kusche, the self-coached data scientist who smashed the Comrades Marathon Up Run record in 2026 (5 hours, 15 minutes, and 56 seconds), to unpack the training philosophy, recovery habits and mindset behind his rise from debutant to champion in just one year. Whether you're training for your first ultra or chasing a personal breakthrough, George shares the unconventional approach, from 250km training weeks to skipping high-intensity intervals entirely, that carried him from 12th place on debut to a record-breaking win. What You'll Learn in This Video The Volume Principle: Why George trains up to 250km per week, and how his cycling- and triathlon-inspired focus on "time in an aerobic state" matters more than chasing raw distance. The 90% Rule: How keeping 88 to 92% of training at an easy Zone 1/Zone 2 pace, with no high-intensity Zone 5 intervals, builds the aerobic engine an 85km race demands. Self-Coached Success: Why George trains and races alone, leans on HRV and sleep data to guide his decisions, and still insists that intuition and grit win the day. The Constant Drip: George's nutrition philosophy of sustained, consistent carbohydrate intake, and why it beats relying on a single big pre-race meal. Recovery Non-Negotiables: Why a minimum of 7 hours of sleep a night is treated as seriously as any training session. Building Mental Toughness: George's take on resilience as a muscle built through consistently doing hard things, not complex theory. Check www.dischemlivingfit.co.za for more science and expert led information. Follow us: Instagram: instagram.com/dischem_livingfit Facebook:   / 100028607845847   TikTok:   / dischem_livingfit   Twitter: https://x.com/Dischem_LiveFit