Ultra Runner, positivity coach, style guru, Outdoor Lover meet Mike Kratzer
Mike “Mikey” Kratzer is a true force in the global running community. From trail to ultra, he embodies grit, style, and an unstoppable spirit. A beacon of positivity, Mikey uplifts everyone around him with his kindness, energy, and unwavering support- making him not just an Outdoor Lover, but a foundational one. As you read this, Mikey is steadily charging across the Mojave Desert, taking on The Speed Project’s legendary 300+ mile race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas—a true test of endurance, willpower, and adventure.
What’s your personal relationship with nature? When did you realize it was so important to you?
I'm from a small town of just a few hundred people. I grew up playing in the rivers, hiking, having cats, dogs, pigs, chickens, ducks, and always being outside. Now that I've had the opportunity to go Mexico City and travel some, I've realized that I need to be amongst nature or I'm not well. Being in the water, active, and outside is my life.
"As cliche as it sounds freedom is what I find by being outdoors. And the time to just sit and become part of my surroundings."
Mike, tell us about your life growing up. Where did you grow up…how did it shape you?
I can barely remember the first few years when I lived in Reno, Nevada. The most candid memory was the house we lived in and the gas station down the road. All us kids rode bikes and, on the weekends, we would beg our parents for some cash and ride down there to score some candies.
The vibe changed when my mum and I moved to Germany. City life got a hold of me and the combo of restrictions and exploration didn’t go so well together!
Can you share a little more about why this combo didn’t go so well for you?
Looking back now that is probably why I choose adventures and physical movement over everything.
That of course wasn’t the case during my twenty’s when I fully took advantage of living in a city.
You were part of the hardcore music scene can you tell us about that?
To this day hardcore music and culture are part of my identity. The bonds I made within this scene are still strong and go way beyond music. It’s all about the values and camaraderie along with the d.i.y attitude. It’s a network of likeminded people that would travel loads to check each other play. There’s no big ego rockstar attitude. It’s really grassroots how I still like it.
How were you introduced to running? Was it an instant love affair?
It definitely was not an instant love affair. More a necessity. My main form of transportation was by bike which reached peak when I watched the macaframa video and discovered fixed gear bikes. After racing fixies there came the road bike etc. But cycling is really time intensive and having kids meant I needed something that would exhaust my in the same way but in a shorter period! So on NYE 2014 or 2015 I signed up for a 10k race. No training no gear just for the fun of it. It was awful. I think it took me almost 55 minutes. I hated most of it. But it also was something that sparked my competitive spirit. SO I kept with it and now running is embedded in my daily life.
Why do you run?
Depends on where I am mentally. Sometimes I need to run. To challenge myself. Or I just need to get a breather. Sometimes there is a certain time or race or just a deep desire to run free. Running is like my fallback plan, something that grounds me and gives me perspective.
What is your favorite running terrain and ecosystem? Why?
I find joy in running anywhere. There is a hashtag from an professional ultra runner : #anysurfaceanydistance that resonates with me.
You are an active part of The Speed Project recently completing the Chamonix-Marseillle event, how was it?
It was a journey that comprised the emotions of a lifetime. All the ups and downs you can imagine. Not so much from a running perspective but the group dynamic and trouble shooting. I think from an athletic standpoint its already a task but partnering with 6 people in a small van can be stressful, it certainly leaves you with loads of new impressions and a bond you don’t find at a marathon.
How does TSP challenge you both physically and mentally?
I would say the solo edition is as challenging physically as it is mentally. But for the relay it was more mental. Navigating a course you haven’t been on, dealing with police, language barriers etc. it really challenged me more mentally.
Do you prefer the team relay or solo?
Solo. I love the solitude aspect of it. In relay you travel slower, and you must have a good team that works together to navigate the bad patches. The interaction with all the locals was so interesting and that’s what I loved about it. It was a 5-day camping trip without the camping ha ha!
You cycle, camp, motorcycle, hike and climb! Tell us what you love about being outdoors?
I guess it’s the different impressions you get, on a motorcycle you go far and fast. On a bike you also go fast but it’s way more physical. So, every activity has its own set of rules and perks. And ideally, I combine a couple of them to get the most out of it. As cliche as it sounds freedom is what I find by being outdoors. And the time to just sit and become part of my surroundings.
You run and bike in some of the harshest natural environments in the World. What’s your approach to protecting and looking after your skin?
In the past I just put on sunscreen once and hoped for the best. Now I think of it a little bit more holistically. The skin is the biggest organ that should get the treatment it deserves. Since finding Utu I only need to bring my stick and be protected from the sun and do my skin a flavor by using the Utu moisturizer every moring so I won’t look like an old, dried prune one day :-)
What is next for you - what do you have coming up this year and next?
Uhhhh there is a long list of adventures I want to go on. One that is already approaching fast is TSP Solo again. Since I had to bail this year after 440km I need to reach Las Vegas next year. Other than that, I hope to run one faster Marathon this year and then dedicate next year to trails and adventures of any kind. Anybody with ideas on how we can combine multiple activities please reach out;-).
Please complete the following sentence:
Running is…. Whatever you want it to be.