Becoming Ultra

Deidra comes back from the amazing mountains of Big Bend and we talk about her adventure as well as come up with some best practices dealing with plantar fasciitis, something that many runners deal with. We are early in the training cycle so taking time to get right early is the goal with slow ramp up in mileage, strength and mobility, and being present along the way. Enjoy!

Change is here!  Kris & Carly discuss how much the past 151 episodes have meant to them and what the future holds!  They recap some of their favorite moments and give info on where to find them in a few weeks!  Don't forget to follow us on IG so you can get the info on our new podcast! Kris - @birdielovestorun Carly - @sherunderlusts Pod - @myfirstultrapod

Coach Addie and Scott get to know Denise on her first epsiode of Season 16. Denise has an amazing coming to running story that I think many will be able to relate to. Starting in roller rinks and moving to roller derby and Spartan races where a shoulder injury left her looking for something bigger.  We think she is going to be an awesome follow for the next 6 months so stay tuned and share with so...

One of Kellie's friends describe her as "an all-around incredible runner.  Her feet are basically wings as she climbs mountains like they are anthills. She is not only a great athlete and talented photographer, but she is probably one of the greatest people you will ever meet." Kellie's love for the running community is evident as well as her gratitude for how it has changed her life. She comes fr...

Today we get to meet our second runner of Season 16, Carrie Balick who shares her story with Scott and her coach for the season, Ian Sharman.  She grew up on the east coast and has spent most of her adult life in California in the school system as a speech pathologist.  She recently went all in on her own business so she will be balancing her professional life with training for Mendocino.  We hope...

Anderson Dibble does not shy away from hard races. In fact, she seems to gravitate towards challenges. Some of her racing adventures include the Sugg Farm Ultra 50 Miler (First female), Pikes Peak 50k, Drews Angel Creek 50k in Alaska, Umstead 100, and the R2R2R. Anderson loves life and embraces every challenge with gratitude. On this podcast we discuss her military background and the similarities...

Coach Scott meets his runner for Season 16 of the Becoming Ultra project, Deidra.  Deidra resides in Round Rock, Texas, just outside of Austin. She is currently a stat at home mom who is coming off of a disc replacement surgery that got her back to running. We get to know about her life and who she is before diving into the training on this first episode. She is training for her first ultra for th...

Hurricane Helene ravaged many of the communities in the mountains of North Carolina. Scott brings Mariah from Season 10 of the Becoming Ultra project on to talk about her small town of Spruce Pine and the effect of the damage. We came up with a challenge to use as a fundraiser to help the rebuild. You can join the challenge  here .

The Indiana Trail 100 took place at Chain O' Lakes State Park in Albion, Indiana on October 12-13. The course consists of four 25-mile loops with about 1,500 feet of gain per loop. This was Eric's first 100-mile ultra marathon, and he came in with a 3rd place finish. Eric ran his first ultra distance of 50k in October of 2023. In one year, he accomplished the 100-mile distance. He is showing us th...

Today Ian, Addie, and Scott come on to choose the runners of Season 16 who will run their first ultra at the Mendocino Coast 50k in April!  Enjoy the show!

What a fun conversation this was with Missy! We know Missy through BU and she was one of our biggest supporters when we launched the podcast. Just a joy to talk with, Missy shares with us how she became the adventurer she is today!   Women Who Explore is the company we discuss throughout this conversation. https://www.womenwhoexplore.com/

Some of our most inspiring guests come from referrals. Our friend Rebecca messaged us about Heather. They met during Vol State and Rebecca knew we had to chat with her. Heather is a mom, nurse, veteran and all-around bad ass. She has tackled some of the toughest races including the Leadville 100 and Barkley Fall Classic. What else can I do? That is the question Heather always asks herself after ac...

Coach Addie Bracey joins the show again to share her recent adventures which include an epic race that took 30 hours and finishing a retreat center near Leadville!  We talk about runners and why this Mendocino Coast 50k is such a good race for first timers.  Enjoy the show.  Season 16 is now taking applications!

We catch up with Lucja after her latest adventure, and wow was it a big one!  The Divide 200 is Canada's only 200-mile ultra marathon. It takes place in the Castle/Crowsnest/Flathead region of the southern Rockies and highlights portions of The Great Divide Trail. Lucja takes us through the race, including a near death experience and, you guessed it, a bear encounter.  Lucja is one of a kind! IG -...

As Season 16 kicks off we are talking to the coaches of the project about all things ultra running. On this episode Ian Sharman and Scott talk about the most common reasons or excuses people make to not take the first step to training for an ultra.  We hope you enjoy and if you are on the fence about running your first ultra, now is a good time to apply for Season 16.  

Erin trained for over 4 months for her first ultra with Coach Lindsay and nailed it on the Grindstone 50k course!  We talk about things she learned on race day and what is next. She also gives one of the best answers ever as to why you should try for your first ultra! Enjoy the show and check out the launch of Season 16.

Scott talks to the race director and founder of the Mendocino Coast 50k, Sid Garza-Hillman about the history of the race, his running journey, and the launch of the newest season of the Becoming Ultra Project, Season 16.   Si didn't run his first ultra until he was 46.  We talk about his life as a musician and actor and why he decided to uproot and more to the northern part of the state.  His race...

We had the most fun talking to Tracy Meyerson. She recently finished her goal of running a marathon/ultra distance in every state. We discuss what it takes to accomplish that goal and how long it took her. Tracy will be sixty-one soon and not slowing down. She tells us how she maintains good health and the importance of nutrition. Tracy is living her best life, having amazing adventures and thrivi...

If you have ever wanted more information about the World Major Marathons, this episode is for you!  If you haven't, well, still listen for a educational lesson :).  We talk all about the six world majors, how you get in, the NEW Boston qualifying times, and our upcoming trip to Japan!

The time has come for Erin to go celebrate her training on the Grindstone 50k course!  Her calf woes are over and the training is in the bank.  We started the call with a little quiz about her race and she nails it.  We hope you enjoy the show!

Kris is back from an epic backpacking trip and is here to tell us all about it!  She gives listeners some great advice on how to get started in backpacking, based on her own experiences. This trip was in the Shining Rock Wilderness/Pisgah National Forest and she booked the trek through The Wildland Trekking Company! https://wildlandtrekking.com/

Erin is experiencing the ups and downs of training as we get ever so closer to her first ultra. On the show today she shares her advneture on the Aqua Blaze race.  A rowing and running adventure race.  She also deals with her first real setback in the form of a knotted up calf for a few days. She seems to be on the mend though so for now, it's taper and get the mind right for the Grindstone 50k!

Kris first met Ashley during a 50 mile race Ashley was running and then continued to see her at other local races. With Ashley's unassuming confidence and talent, Kris just knew we had to have her on the podcast!  Ashley talks with us about her running past, how the road led her to the trails, and how she is now in the middle of a huge running streak (well over five years, which is amazing)! We lo...

Karmell Ohlrogge & Lee Conner are two bad ass women. Collectively they have conquered over eighty 100 milers. They are also champions of women who want to experience a 100-mile race. They are the creators and driving force behind the Women's 100 Miler Project.  Karmell & Lee are champions for supporting women, they have started a program that supports women who want to embrace ultra distances. On...

Enjoy another episode about ultra endurance. Our guest, Jenn Pattee, is an ultra runner and entrepreneur who took on the challenge of riding the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Canada to Mexico.  Seeing how much the sport of running can open up opportunities for adventure is always inspiring.  Enjoy the show   Check out here adventure on IG and Follow  Jenn