Possibly related to our naturally-selected drive that underpins Persistence Hunting[0]? Doesn’t speak to the “irrational” prong of your question, but more along the lines of “past any/all expectation.”
And no idea if anyone has already studied this. I had the thought about this possible connection a few nights ago, funny timing.
(The prevalence of Persistence Hunting in human evolution is still an open debate I believe)