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

At some point in every backyard ultra or timed event, you’ll hit it: 2:00 a.m. The moment where everything suddenly feels heavier, harder, and a little bit hopeless. In this episode, we break down the psychological shift that happens in the middle of the night and why your brain becomes a completely unreliable narrator when fatigue, darkness, and sleep deprivation collide. Because here’s the truth...

This episode takes you inside Elm Creek Backyard Ultra , not just as a race, but as an experience shaped entirely around the athletes who show up to test their limits. Race director, Nick Oswald, shares what makes Elm Creek different from other endurance events: an intentional, athlete-first approach where every decision, from logistics to volunteers, is designed to help runners go further than th...

A 55-yard backyard ultra doesn’t happen by accident—and it definitely doesn’t happen alone. In this episode of the One More Hour Podcast, Jaci sits down with Stormy and Samantha Hild to break down Stormy’s massive 55-yard performance at Queeny Backyard Ultra from both sides of the chair. Stormy shares how he’s evolved from going out too fast and learning the hard way to developing a steady, repeat...

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast , Jaci sits down with Jeff Walker. Teacher, father, husband, and newly crowned silver ticket winner to unpack the race (Queeny Backyard Ultra) that is sending him to Big’s Backyard Ultra. Jeff shares his journey from a post-college fitness reset to running over 200 miles in a backyard format, and what finally clicked at Queeny to produce his breakthroug...

Most runners think backyard ultras fall apart in the middle of the night. They don’t. They fall apart in the first 10 yards. In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast , we break down the most common mistake runners make early in backyard ultras: letting pacing, ego, and adrenaline take control. Because the reality is: You’re not going too fast in an obvious way… You’re going too fast in ways yo...

In this episode of the One More Hour Podcast , Jaci sits down with ultra runner TJ Harms-Synkiew , who took on one of the most unusual endurance challenges in running: Burrito League . For the entire month of January, runners gathered in Tempe, Arizona (and many other Burrito League locations) to repeat the same 0.2-mile Strava segment (segments varied based on location) as many times as possible....

In this powerful and vulnerable conversation, Jaci sits down with Jon Fischer, founder of Phase One, to explore what it really means to “stand the line” in racing and in life. From surviving military training and near-death experiences to battling suicidal ideation and rebuilding his life through faith, fatherhood, and daily discipline, Jon shares the raw journey behind his evolution from performa...

This is an episode about progression. About adjusting on the fly. About nutrition saving races. And about learning to stay when your brain tells you to quit. In this episode of the One More Hour podcast, Megan Smyth shares her evolution from middle-distance track athlete to one of the strongest and most consistent backyard competitors in the country. Megan discusses her evolution as a runner, emph...

 Walking isn’t a failure in a backyard ultra. It’s a skill.   In this episode, Jaci breaks down why hiking and intentional walking are essential for going further in the backyard format and why most runners underestimate how much speed and efficiency they can gain by improving their slowest miles.   You’ll learn:  Why trail pace should never be compared to road pace Why walking the hills early con...

What happens when curiosity leads the way? Mary Namestnik shares her journey from road racing to ultras, falling in love with the backyard ultra format, and most recently running 260+ miles at Across the Years , her first six-day timed event. Together, they unpack the mental and physical lessons that come from races without a fixed finish line, where patience, systems, and self-awareness matter mo...

Packing for a backyard ultra can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first one. In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, I break down what gear actually matters, what runners tend to overthink, and how being organized and practiced can make or break your race. Backyard ultras reward preparation, not perfection. You don’t need everything. You need the right things, practiced systems, an...

In this episode of the One More Hour podcast, we welcome Dr. Tonya Olson, a board-certified doctor of physical therapy and co-author of the seventh edition of " Fixing Your Feet ." The conversation centers around the critical importance of foot care for runners, especially those participating in endurance events like marathons and ultra marathons. Dr. Tonya emphasizes that foot issues ar...

If you’ve ever felt confused about bronze tickets, silver tickets, gold tickets, or how runners actually qualify for Big’s Backyard Ultra, this episode breaks it all down in a clear, no-fluff way. In this short episode, we walk through how the backyard ultra qualification system works, what each “ticket” really means, and how runners progress from local backyard races all the way to the World Cham...

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,...