Faculty of Design

Illustration

Brayden Pawlik

Incri-mental Evolution

Ultramarathon running is considered one of, if not the most, gruelling physical trial an individual can voluntarily subject themselves to. While an ultra-marathon is any running race that exceeds the standard distance of a marathon (26.2 miles or 42.2km)I chose to focus my research those who participate in races that range from 100 to 200+ miles in a single race. Aside from the obvious physical toll that these events take on a person's body, the psychological effects that take place within a person's mind is equally as profound. While you may be familiar with the term “runners high,” (a state of euphoria caused by a flood of endorphins which are released through prolonged exercise), Ultra races create a situation where the up and downsides of these chemical rushes happen multiple times. Most often with the downsides being extremely taxing and painful on both the body and mind.This dichotomy of these “highs and lows” are the main area of focus for this specific illustration. As the individual continues to persist and persevere through the rollercoaster of physical and mental punishment over the course of the race their mind become more and more resilient, and capable of pushing deeper into what their true potential is. In this process they are shedding away the aspects of themselves which don’t serve their ultimate goals and in essence stripping away the unnecessary or “weak components of their mind. And in doing so undergoing a process of self metamorphosis both psychologically and physically.The key component I wanted to convey is that this type of mentality and transformation doesn’t require someone to run in an ultra marathon. All that needs to be done in order for change to occur is to constantly and voluntarily put oneself into uncomfortable situations. Ones which test a person's own boundaries regularly.