Becoming Ultra

Training fatigue has definitely set in as Erin balances her demanding work and training schedule but it doesn't mean she isn't going to find adventure to keep her spirits and energy up.  She shares that she is doing a race called the Aqua Blaze which is rowing the Shenandoah River and running after which is a great reminder that keeping fun things in the mix during training can be a great way to stay motivated.  We hope you enjoy!

Eric Davis is new to ultra running. He has tackled some technical ultras over the last year and has consistently finished in the top, including winning the MoMoFo 100k in June. He has an incredible work ethic and is one of the most positive people I have ever met.  This was such an uplifting conversation. Imagine being diagnosed with cancer during Covid while in another county and just starting your family. Eric was faced with this and chose to live by the words “Be Brave, Be Powerful, Be Fearless. Eric talks about that defining moment and how he moved through it. Eric is new to ultra running but has quickly excelled in the sport. We discuss his races, training and how ultra running teaches you many life lessons. Eric also talks about how he manifests positivity in his life, future goals and balancing family and training. This conversation will leave you thinking about the choice we make to be happy. Kris recorded this in her sun porch with Eric. It was a beautiful setting and one of her favorite conversation

Will Sprouse is an interesting guy, I think everyone will feel inspired after hearing what he has to say. Will is an ultra-runner, restaurant owner, pilot, race director, husband, and father. He has had two major health scares in his life but that has not stopped him from achieving his goals. Most people can’t imagine running the distances Will has. The fact that he continued ultra running after a motorcycle crash that left him with numerous broken bones and after having a stroke that affected his ability to talk, swallow, see or stand is even more remarkable. On this podcast Will shares his amazing story of how he has learned to heal his body through movement. He knows no limits and has an incredible belief in himself. Will also talks about race directing and creating races that are inclusive and adaptive to all athletes. He has earned the nickname “Iron Will.” You will rethink what is possible after listening to Will’s story.  

Andrew Kelly is extreme, and we mean that in the best way. He rises at 4 am every day to run and is currently on a running streak that is over 1,500 days. He loves the challenge of a big race, he has tackled the Canebrake 200, Across Florida 200, and most recently the Cocodona 250. Andrew lives by the motto, no excuses. On this podcast we got to know Andrew a little better. He is a very interesting guy who decided to take some big steps to lead a healthier and more productive life. We discuss his run streak and what it takes to accomplish this goal daily. We also talk about the Cocodona 250, Andrew shares the struggles and accomplishment of taking on such a hard race. There is a lot to unpack in this one. We had a lot of fun getting to know Andrew. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.  

Scott had a great chat with Susie Chan on all things adventure, life, and running.  We aim to make more content to inspire big efforts from regular, amazing, humans.  Enjoy!   From her book blurb: Susie Chan is an icon of endurance running. Since taking up running at the age of 35, she has completed the legendary Marathon des Sables more times than any other British woman, set the 12-hour treadmill World Record and was one of the first women to finish all the World Marathon Majors. Susie's story is an inspirational fight against the odds. From leaving a dysfunctional marriage, managing as a single mum and tackling cancer treatment, Susie has had her fair share of adversity. Throughout it all, running has kept her going. She always finds a reason to lace up her shoes and hit the road – or the track, trail or tread. Her mantra: You never regret a run. From the Moroccan desert, the Peruvian jungle and the sweltering Death Valley, to Susie's local South Downs and a running track in Tooting, her adventures take

Delorean Ostrom was a featured runner on Season 13 of the project.  His amazing wife lost her battle with a rare cancer in January and we wanted to check in on Delorean.  He is setting some big running and fitness goals while starting a new restaurant business and raising his two young daughters.  This one is full of love and emotion and we hope if you or someone you know is going through a tough time that this conversation helps even a little. Thanks for listening.  Donate to the Cholangiocarcinoma foundation here. 

Erin had the chance to get out and run a part of the course for the Grindstone 50k to see how technical the trails were.  School is back in session so a new training schedule had to emerge for the last 7 weeks of training.   The humidity and heat are still wreaking havoc.  Coach Lindsay helps coach her through some niggles and continue to prep for the big effort in September!

Becky & Sarah are two fun spirited, adventurous friends. They have shared many miles together on the trails including backpacking sections of the AT, trail runs, and most recently the 100k One Day Hike from DC to Harpers Ferry, WV. We had such a great time discussing friendship and adventures.  This one will make you want to grab your bestie and hit the trails.  Becky & Sarah tell the story of their friendship and love of trail adventures.  We discuss how their support of each other has opened them up to amazing experiences. These beautiful ladies have a wonderful bond that has been strengthened by lots of miles.  Their support of each other will leave you inspired.   

Today's episode is a change up from typical ultra conversations but an important one nonetheless. Whether you are training for the Olympics or your own big goals, having coaches and people in your corner that want the best for you on the field or trail is important.  One of Scott's former athletes shares her journey with the author of All In Stride to hopefully help other athletes navigate training, disordered eating, and more. Hope you enjoy! In All in Stride, Johanna Garton tells the gripping and inspiring stories of Elvin and Shadrack. Beginning with their upbringing in Kenya, Garton follows the runners through their journeys to the United States, running for Division One universities, their blossoming romance as college students, and ultimately their service as U.S. soldiers and professional runners. Woven through the narrative is the story of Samantha Schultz, who also competed for the U.S. Army. Like Elvin and Shadrack, she struggled with several obstacles throughout her journey, including poor coaching

Erin is getting to the higher volume of her training as she continues her journey towards her first ultra.  We talk about dealing with heat and seeking water post run during the dry east coast summer.  Snakes and bears make it into the conversation as she gets on new trails. She starts to think about the changing schedule as school is about to start back up as well.  Her coach is gone for todays episode so we just catch up and have a great conversation about training and life!  

Erin is training for her first ultra at the Grindstone 50k coming in September.  Today her coach talks about her longer efforts and early aid station strategy to start thinking about it while she fuels for her current efforts.  We talk about poles and how to implement in the training.  Enjoy the show

On this episode of Ultra Nutrition we get a great question that many runners and athletes can relate to.  As your training volume goes up how do you find ways to get the calories in a healthy way. Enjoy the show!

Jess Vanderbush has many interests, she is an ultra-runner, poet, and documentary filmmaker, she is also the founder, editor-in-chief, and creative director of Eat Clean Run Dirty magazine. She is seeking adventure and connection everywhere she goes. This was a fun conversation full of wisdom and captivating stories. Jess has many interests, we spent time diving into several of them. She takes us back to how her journey into ultras started and how ultras have led her to all the adventures she pursues now. We also talk about the Orcas Island race and what inspires Jess to take on challenges. Jess lives her life driven by the motto, the only regrets you have are the chances you did not take. We think you will love this conversation as much as we did.  

Nutrition coach Abby and coach Scott address listener questions in this ongoing series about nutrition and fueling for athletes.  The questions were regarding plant based athletes being low in iron and B12. We hope you enjoy!

Aneta Zeppettella (Nettie) is a 52-year-old ultra runner who grew up in Poland but has been living in the US since 1999. She has finished some of the most iconic ultras including Western States 100, Badwater 135, Hurt 100, and Fat Dog 120. She is the second female to complete the Potawatomi 200-mile race. She is a Mom, librarian, community organizer and RD. She is also the co-owner of Empower Ultras. Nettie is a true champion for supporting others, she has formed a race company that embraces building people up. On this podcast, she talks about her journey to the United States and how she found her way to trail running. Nettie has a powerful reason why she runs. She explains how ultras are easier than things we can experience in life. She is passionate about supporting women and doing her part to help them achieve their goals. Be sure to check out the documentary "Nettie from Ohio".  

Our friend, Cale is back to share his race experience at the Miwok 100K on May 4th. This race has 11,800 feet of gain – views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, the redwoods, and the seashore. Founded in 1996, it has grown from 70 people to 450. Cale shares why this race is special to him and how he prepared for it. He tells us what it is like to run the first 40 miles in the rain and the difference a good crew can make. Cale ran the last thirteen miles with his coach and friend, he shares how that experience changed his race. Cale shares how his recovery is going as well as how important it is to listen to your body as you prepare for the next goal. Every time we talk to Cale, we feel like we have learned something that helps us live our best life.

Erin and her coach Lindsay sit down with Scott to talk about the first few weeks of training for her first 50k at the Grindstone 50k.  Humid days, ticks, and other random things that come up in the heat of summer made the conversation. We hope you enjoy!

On this podcast our friend, Jenn shares her experience of five days taking on one of the most diverse 200+ mile races, the Cocodona 250. We had this conversation as Jenn is still working through all the emotions and healing physically. Jenn was very candid about the mental strength it took to get to the finish line and how she is processing things after. We are grateful to Jenn for being so vulnerable and sharing things about racing that we do not often hear. We hope you enjoy this honest conversation.

Rhonda Bompensa-Zimmerman is fairly new to ultra-running. She has been putting in the work and taking on some big challenges, most recently, Sedona Canyons 125. On this podcast we learn how Rhonda made her way to trail running and the impact it has had on her life, how running has been crucial for her healing. She reflects on the pivotal moment she stepped out of her comfort zone and said yes to a group run. Rhonda shares the many ways she has embraced the trail running community. We also talk about navigation struggles (we have all had them). This is a story of no matter where you are in life you can change the direction, set goals, work hard, and find yourself in the process.

We have the pleasure of introducing Erin to the world.  She is an educator that grew up on a family farm not too far from Washington D.C.  Today, we just get to know her as we will be talking lots of running in the coming months.  We hope you enjoy!