The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset

Nick Petterson finished 65 yards (270 miles) at Summit Backyard Ultra: The Last Dance, placing top three in a stacked silver-ticket field. In this episode, Nick joins Jaci to talk about what it takes to keep showing up hour after hour, day after day, in the backyard ultra format. From pacing and fueling to mindset, crew dynamics, and late-race decision-making, Nick shares the lessons learned from...

Looking to improve at your next ultramarathon OR looking to run your first ultra? A backyard ultra will help you with both! Backyard ultras and timed events often get misunderstood. They’re seen as intimidating, extreme, not a real ultra, or a soft ultra. But in reality, these formats are some of the most accessible, supportive, and effective ways to explore ultra running, especially if you’re ste...

Backyard ultras don’t ask if you’re tough. They ask if you’re honest. As we close out 2025, many runners are already looking at their 2026 calendars. But before you pick a race or set a mileage goal, you need clarity. In this episode, we move beyond "marathon-style thinking" to explore the mental frameworks and uncomfortable questions that actually determine success in a race with no fin...

What does it take to make a big jump in backyard ultras? Stephanie Rosebaugh , licensed marriage and family therapist, ultra runner, and author, joins me to discuss the mindset that was required in her huge jump in performance at The Last Dance Backyard Ultra , where she ran 67 yards and earned the assist, nearly doubling her previous backyard performances of 34 and 38 yards. Stephanie shares the...

In this powerful episode, Colleen MacDonald shares the five-year journey behind her Fastest Known Time on Mt. Kilimanjaro. A journey that started long before she stepped foot on the mountain. Colleen opens up about how a period of personal transition led her to seek a goal big enough to anchor her, challenge her, and reconnect her with the bold version of herself she feared she’d lost. We explore...

If you're running your first backyard ultra, this episode will save your race. Most first-timers don’t get timed out. They fall into avoidable pacing, mindset, and fueling traps. Today, we’re breaking down the three biggest mistakes new backyard runners make, and exactly how to avoid them so you can stay in the race longer than you thought possible. You’ll learn: Why pacing like a marathoner...

Backyard ultras aren’t won by the strongest runner. They’re won by the runner who can manage their mind hour after hour. In this episode, I break down the five most common mental traps backyard runners fall into and exactly how to avoid them so you can stay in the race long after everyone else is breaking. You’ll learn why thinking too far ahead destroys your focus, how comparison steals your ener...

How's a Backyard Ultra Different if I Run it Self-Supported or with a Crew? Advantages, Disadvantages & How to Prepare In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast , we break down one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in a backyard ultra: running self-supported vs. running with a crew . I walk you through the real advantages and disadvantages of both approaches, what to discuss with yo...

Trying to figure out how to pace your next backyard ultra? Hint, faster does not mean better in the backyard! In this short but packed episode, we break down one of the most important and most misunderstood parts of the backyard ultra format: pacing. Whether you’re brand new to the backyard or looking to improve your strategy, this episode covers practical pacing advice, how to train for consisten...

From marathoner to Last Runner Standing , Amy Feit (2025 Duff Dog Backyard Ultra champion) joins me to share her journey into the world of backyard ultras, where endurance, mindset, and community collide. Amy dives into what it takes to stay strong through the night, how to fuel and recover from multi-day efforts, and the mental strategies that keep her going when things get tough. We talk about e...

Natasha Swartley, an ultra runner and trail race medic specializing in footcare for ultra runners, joins me in a discussion about the importance of foot care for runners. We discuss common foot issues like blisters, the significance of proper shoe fitting, and strategies for maintaining foot health during training and races. Natasha doesn't just fix the feet of runners during races. She becom...

Running is more than just miles for Elizabeth (she/they). It’s been a constant companion through all seasons of life for the past 25 years, a source of connection, challenge, and adventure. I think Elizabeth says it best: at the most basic level, running allows you to simply move forward. "Why are we walking? No, We can run." In this episode we dive into why Elizabeth loves looped races,...

Nutrition during backyard ultras or last man standing races is one of the most important elements of training and of the race. HOWEVER, it's one of the things that runners struggle with the most when it comes to ultramarathons. Why? Because everyone is different, you are out there for a LONG time, AND with backyard ultras/last man standing races, you have limited time to problem solve GI issu...

Are you limiting yourself to what you think is possible and impossible? What if nothing was impossible? In this episode, Jaci sits down with ultra runner Nick Steel, who shares his incredible journey through running, including his impressive feat of completing 14 100-mile races in 2025 (so far). Nick discusses how running has been a therapeutic outlet for him, helping him cope with mental health c...

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, Jaci Wilson delves into the concept of Backyard Ultras, a unique running format that combines endurance with community spirit. She explains the origins of the Backyard Ultra, its specific rules, and the competitive nature of the races. The episode also touches on the importance of pacing, nutrition, and the community aspect of these events, setting the...

Curious about backyard ultramarathons? What's it like to run with no set ending time or distance? How do you keep going when you get bored? How can I get into ultras without a crew? How far can I go? What is a backyard ultra? How do I approach the backyard different from a set distance ultra or a timed event? There are so many questions! Welcome to The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guid...

Can you keep going when everything in you wants to stop? Welcome to One More Hour: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset. This podcast dives deep into the ultrarunning mindset and the backyard ultra format, a race where runners cover 4.167 miles every hour on the hour until only one remains. Each week, host Jaci Wilson, ultramarathon and marathon coach, t...