SGPT Interviews Joe Hashey Cocodona 250 Race Finisher

Most people will never experience what it feels like to keep moving forward after days of exhaustion, sleep deprivation, pain, and nonstop mountain climbing. Joe Hashey recently did exactly that by finishing the brutal Cocodona 250 — one of the toughest ultra endurance races in the world. Covering over 250 miles across Arizona, the race pushed athletes through desert heat, darkness, steep climbs, mental fatigue, and physical breakdown. Joe finished the event in under 100 hours through grit, patience, preparation, and relentless forward movement.

Joe breaks down the mindset required to survive extreme endurance events and why mental toughness is really about staying calm when everything starts going wrong. We discuss problem solving under pressure, teamwork, sleep deprivation, business, leadership, and the power of voluntarily doing hard things. One quote from Joe during the race captured the entire mindset perfectly: “I got nine problems right now and we’re just gonna solve each of them one at a time.” This interview is packed with lessons for endurance athletes, military candidates, business owners, and anyone looking to become mentally tougher in life.

Cocodona 250 first thoughts After Action Report (AAR) from Joe Hashey.
It’s been a couple of days since crossing the finish line in Flagstaff, and I’m still processing the experience.
The support here has been amazing and I don’t want to leave you hanging with the requests for ‘race reports’ so here’s some first thoughts.

5 BIGGEST GRATITUDES:

The support. Vince Gabriele flying in to pace. Friend’s messages. The huge shares back in Broome County. My nephews getting called to the principal’s office….to watch the finish. All amazing.
Melanie Hashey on another level. She held it together during my deep suffering…until two steps after the finish and started bawling. I’m sure it was hard for her to witness it all first hand.
The other racers. There were 10 or so impressive elites racing hard. The rest of the field bonded together for mutual success.
Fraud check. I’m thankful to show up and have the opportunity to prove to myself and my family that I am who I say I am and who they think I am.

5 LOWEST POINTS:

Having to ice my feet at aid stations to fit shoes on (pictured)
My toe exploding on Mount Elden with a half marathon to go
Waking up from my first 30 minutes of sleep on night 2 completely delirious. I had no idea where I was, what was going on, and why I was doing it.
Seeing people starting to drop out (about 50%)
Realizing I was going to do what it took to finish. Had this realization around 150 and it was a low point to know I was going to put myself through whatever it would take…and it would hurt.

5 THINGS I LISTENED TO:

Dr. Bill Creasy One Year Bible. I promised to finish it this year and spent the first 20 hours listening. Paul’s 2nd letter to Timothy hit at the right time:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Rich Roll and Harvey Lewis Podcast
Ken Rideout and Mickey Ward
Cam Hanes and Reverend Reeves
90s/2000s Hip Hop and Rock
5 THINGS I MESSED UP
Needed bigger sneakers due to foot trauma. Didn’t have them.

On two 20+ mile sections, only had a few food bars. Simply forgot that it would take 6 or so hours depending on terrain.
Burnt by lower lip badly in the desert early on. Made me not want salty electrolytes because every sip hurt but needed them.
No sleep plan and winged it to about 90 minutes total over 4 days.
Should have been 10-15 hours faster and known what sections to push more on.

5 THINGS I GOT RIGHT

Cardio was on point. Never out of gas.
No stomach issues
Legs were strong and never wobbly
No major navigation issues
Mindset was strong and never wobbly.
That’s it for initial thoughts.
Let me know if you want me to write on anything else this week!

Notes from Joe Hashey SGPT Zoom interview
Quick recap
The meeting focused on Joe Hashey sharing his experience completing the Cocodona 250, a grueling 250-mile desert race in Arizona. Joe discussed his training approach, which included treadmill running for high-mileage base building and strength training, along with heat acclimation in a homemade sauna. He detailed the challenges he faced during the race, including severe sleep deprivation (only 1 hour and 47 minutes of sleep over four days), foot problems requiring multiple shoe sizes, and managing nutrition and electrolytes in extreme conditions. Joe emphasized his mindset approach of “fraud checking” his capabilities and focusing on solving one problem at a time. The group discussed Joe’s faith-based approach to the race and how he used the experience to create meaningful moments with his family and community.

Summary
Cocodona 250 Race Experience
Brad welcomed participants to the call, including Shawn, Laurence, Adam, and Joe Hashey, who recently completed the Cocodona 250, a challenging 250-mile desert race. Brad introduced Joe as an inspiration not only for his coaching business but also for his family life, referencing a previous Strong Saturday event at Joe’s home gym in Manitou Springs. The discussion began with Brad asking Joe to share details about his experience completing the Cocodona 250 race.

Hunter Miler Ultra-Running Experience
Joe Hashey discussed his experience with ultra-running, including his background as a former college football player and how he transitioned to running after knee surgeries. He explained his participation in the Hunter Miler race, describing it as one of the hardest multi-day events due to its challenging desert terrain, elevation changes, and high competition level. Joe noted that out of 425 runners, only about 50% completed the race, and highlighted the event’s popularity, with thousands watching the livestream and a waitlist of around 1,000. Brad inquired about the logistics of managing the race, including support crews and aid stations, to which Joe provided insights into the event’s setup and the difficulties of running in the desert.

100-Mile Desert Race Experience
Joe Hashey discussed his challenging experience in a 100-mile desert race, highlighting the logistical difficulties and brutal terrain he encountered. He explained that he carried the minimum required 4.5 liters of water, along with additional supplies, and had limited crew support from his wife and a friend. Joe also shared his electrolyte management strategy, noting that he used electrolyte capsules rather than plain salt to prevent complications, and described the aid stations’ offerings, including food and drinks.

Ultra-Runner’s 4-Day Race Experience
Joe Hashey shared his experience during a 4-day race, discussing his nutrition strategy at aid stations which varied based on the terrain and energy needs. He described how he managed sleep deprivation by taking 20-30 minute naps, eventually totaling only 1 hour and 47 minutes of sleep over the entire race duration. Joe also mentioned meeting fellow ultra-runner Andy Glaze at the Jerome aid station, who helped him regain focus during a particularly challenging moment.

Long-Distance Hiking Foot Care Tips
Joe Hashey discussed his experience with severe foot swelling during a long-distance hiking event, where his feet swelled beyond the size of his shoes, causing blisters and ultimately leading to an exploded toenail. He identified that using a larger shoe size would have prevented most of his foot issues, and recommended lubing feet with products like squirrel’s nut butter and using toe socks with additional layers of socks. The conversation ended with Brad asking about wildlife sightings during the event, though this part of the discussion was not captured in the transcript.

Ultramarathon Training and Experience
Brad and Joe Hashey discussed Joe’s recent ultramarathon experience in the desert. Joe described the natural beauty he encountered, including wildlife like rattlesnakes and cacti, and highlighted the challenging weather conditions, including cold nights and hot days. He explained his training regimen, which included using a treadmill for high-mileage base building and incorporating mountain runs twice a week to prepare for the rough terrain of the race. Joe also mentioned building a sauna at home for heat training and working with a coach to develop an effective training program.

Ultra-Running Training and Race Insights
Joe shared his training approach for an ultra-running event, which included strength training using treadmills and video games with his children in the evenings. He discussed the importance of building quad strength for downhill running and described his daily training routine. Joe also described witnessing a fellow runner, Wayne Amo, who narrowly missed the cutoff time despite showing remarkable resilience in the final stages of the race. The conversation ended with Brad asking about Joe’s mindset before and during the event, though this part of the discussion was not captured in the transcript.

Goal Achievement and Leadership Insights
Joe Hashey discussed his approach to achieving goals, drawing from the book “The Power of Moments” by Chip and Dan Heath. He explained how he creates meaningful experiences and stays true to his preparation during challenging moments. Brad reflected on the importance of creating memorable experiences and praised Joe’s leadership and authenticity, both in his athletic achievements and as a role model for his family.

Endurance Racing Strategy Discussion
Joe shared his experience with multi-day endurance racing, discussing his nutrition strategy which included variety like sourdough bread, homemade protein bars, and Coca-Cola. He advised Shawn, who is new to long-distance running, to start with scenic races like 50-milers or 100Ks, emphasizing that longer races have greater margins for error compared to marathons. Joe also discussed how his faith played a significant role in the race, mentioning he completed a one-year Bible program during the first 20 hours and found community in Colorado that supported his faith-based approach.

Desert Racing Experience and Strategies
Joe shared his experience from a recent 48-hour race in the desert, discussing strategies for managing sleep deprivation and handling potential injuries. He explained how he managed with short naps of 15-30 minutes using techniques like consuming caffeine and creatine to maintain mental acuity. The group also discussed Charles Allen’s upcoming return to running after knee surgery, with Charles planning to do the Manitou Incline multiple times this weekend. The conversation ended with several participants expressing interest in purchasing Joe’s book about his racing experiences.

About the Author:

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