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Becoming Ultra

Becoming Ultra is all about that first Ultra. We follow other runners training for their first Ultra, interview race directors of Ultra's, talk training tips, and just about anything for that next, very long, step.
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Now displaying: 2021
Nov 30, 2021

Evangelyn of Colorado and Jeremy of Missouri embark on the adventure of training for their first ultra in 2022.  We hope you'll follow their journey!

Nov 30, 2021

Sally McRae ( aka yellowrunner) is a professional ultra runner who has run some of the worlds greatest trail races such as the Western States 100, Ultra trail (da moan blanc) du Mont Blanc and the Badwater 135, 2021 women’s champion.  Sally is also a wife and mother of two, coach, motivational speaker, and writer.  Sally started running long distances after college and discovered trail running in 2010.  She fell in love with the trail community and opportunities the races brought to explore the world.  Her competitiveness and speed made her a standout in the trail community.  Sally is passionate about inspiring others around her to live their best life.

Have you ever met someone you feel like you could talk to forever?  That is how we felt chatting it up with Salley McRae.  She is a beautiful person inside and out.  On this episode Sally shares parts of her life that shaped her into the grateful, optimistic, happy person she chooses to be.  She also talks about how she manages her busy career and parenting and of course, mom guilt.  Find out where the name Yellowrunner came from and what Sally is up to these days.  This one was special; we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

https://www.sallymcrae.com/

IG- @yellowrunner

Nov 23, 2021

Lene is being coached for her first ultra this coming April of 2022 from Norway and Caitlin is training for her first from Texas and Colorado.  They are a few weeks in and have a chance to talk to their coach Ellie Greenwood on today's episode!

Nov 23, 2021

Joel Stetler is a husband and father of 3 and teaches 3rd grade in California.  Joel is also fighting stage 4 fibromyxoid sarcoma, a rare cancer that is yet to have a cure.  Last year he ran 37 miles for his 37th birthday to raise money for the Brave Like Gabe Foundation, founded by Gabriel Grunewald to inspire people to share stories of being brave through their own struggles while also helping to find better and more effective treatments for rare cancer.  Joel was also a runner-up in the Brooks Runfulness Project, this led to he and is wife, Amanda co-founding the Running Buddies Project, which works to award VIP race day experiences to runners with life threatening illnesses.

This one will move you!  Joel is an amazing person with an outlook on life that is incredible.  He has made a choice to find hope and joy amid an awful diagnosis.  On this episode we talk about his cancer diagnosis, the misdiagnosed hematoma and  more.  We dive into what a support team means and having objectivity during everything.  Joel talks about his 37-mile run as well as other runs and the struggles he has faced.  All of this has led creating the Running Buddies Project.  Joel has a lot of enthusiasm when he talks about.  I find myself thinking often of this conversation.  There are so many valuable lessons in this one. 

IG - hey_mr_stetler

IG - runningbuddiesproject

 

Nov 16, 2021

Hillary’s career as an endurance athlete has not been straightforward. Through injury, setbacks and unexpected challenges, Hillary’s had to re-think what she considers impossible. Early in her career, Hillary earned the nickname “Hillygoat” when she proved her ability to run fast on steep, technical mountain terrain –  a style of running known as Skyrunning.  Since then, she has raced all over the world, racking up wins and course records, establishing herself as one of the best mountain ultra-runners in the world. In 2017 she had a life-threatening accident, where she fell 150 feet off of a ridgeline during a Sky race in Tromsø, Norway. She was told she would never run again. After several years of rehab and recovery, Hillary made a full recovery and returned to elite level racing, racing some of her longest and most challenging events post-accident. She maintains the belief that ‘your best athletic days are ahead of you, if you’re willing to work hard for what you love.

Hillary also studies and teaches science, using her master’s degree in neuroscience and physiology and structural biology. She is also a trail running coach, and a gravel cyclist.

This one gave us all the feels!  Positive; genuine; passionate; expressive are just a few words that describe Hillary Allen.  On this episode we discuss Hillary’s book and how it has impacted her life.  There is so much wisdom in her writing and when she speaks.  Hillary also tells us what life has been like traveling and living in her custom van over the last several months.  And so much more! This was a good one with lots of inspiration, we know you will love it.

https://hillaryallen.com/

IG: hillygoat_climbs

Nov 9, 2021

Steve has been running since he was in high school.  After burning out and taking a 20-year hiatus he picked it back up when his children (now 30 & 26) got involved in middle school cross country which led him to HS cross country coaching for 5 years.  Some injuries moved Steve off the pavement and towards the trails.   Currently Steve is a real estate broker / auctioneer and the VP of the Indiana Trail Runners Association but has always made time to hit the trails and race.  With a few hundred races under his belt Steve has some big accomplishments in his running career; 23 marathons with a Boston qualifier; 15 ultra marathons; 2012 Trail Runner Magazine’s Trophy series winner just to name a few.  Last year during a marathon trail race Steve fell and detached his right Achilles, had surgery in November and has been rehabbing since.    

Have you ever asked yourself what would I do if I could no longer run?  That is what our guest, Steve Baber was faced with.  Hear Steve talk about the highs and lows of not being able to run and rehabbing an injury for over a year.  Steve talks about how embracing the trail running community gave him hope as he worked towards recovery.  Steve also talks about what it is like to age in the sport of ultra-running.  Steve has some good advice to share.  We loved how candid and open he was.  We think this talk will resonate with so many people. 

Nov 2, 2021

Running is what drives me.  I crave it.  I’ve followed some paths in life that have led me away from my passion, but when I finally returned to what always made me happy, I appreciated it so much more.  Sabrina is a professional mountain Ultra-Runner and RRCA Certified Coach.  Growing up in Washington State Sabrina’s parents fostered an unbridled competitive spirit in both her and her five siblings.  Sabrina eventually found a love of running which morphed into a passion for trail running.  After being forced to drop at mile 87 of the 2015 Leadville Trail 100 her competitive nature kicked in.  She vowed to never drop a race again and become one of the best ultra-runners in the world.  In 2016 she returned to Leadville with a vengeance and finished 4th.  Since then, Sabrina has won some of the most difficult 100 milers, in 2018 she won the Hardrock 100, in 2019 she won HURT 100.  In July of 2021 Sabrina won the Hardrock 100 again and shaved over 3 hours off her 2018 time.  Ultrarunner magazine named Sabrina as 8th best American female in 2018 and in 2019 she was ranked 5th.  Currently she has finished first female in the last 11 ultras she competed in.  

Absolutely loved this conversation with Sabrina.  She is one of the most confident, focused, driven runners we have talked to.  There is so much more to Sabrina.  On this episode she tells us about the things and people that helped shape her into the athlete she has become.  We dive into her one and only DNF and how significant that one event became to her running future.  We talk about goals and success and everything that comes along with it.  We are big fans of Sabrina and think you will be too!

https://sabrinastanley.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sabrinaleannstanley

https://www.facebook.com/sabrina.stanley.18 

https://twitter.com/sabrinastanley

Oct 31, 2021

It wasn't planned but Katie and Bailey trained as teammates for 5 months and ended up racing together. Hear how it went on todays episode!

Oct 30, 2021

Jenn and Randi had completely different experiences for their first ultra in Virginia.  Listen to their reflections on today's show!

Oct 29, 2021

Miranda wasn't sure how her body would holdup and Melissa had a unique experience on the trails but they both made it happen!  Listen to the details of their first ultra!

Oct 29, 2021

Dave and Mariah report back to their coach, Amanda Basham after their first ultra ever.  Enjoy the show!

Oct 26, 2021

Muriel Bartelme Kreske grew up in Michigan, has a husband named Bryan, is an Executive Creative Director at an advertising agency in Minneapolis, and has more energy than any other person named Muriel in the history of the world. Part of that is fueled by the Grande Blonde roast from Starbucks she drinks every morning. Part of that is because she has to keep up with a rambunctious 9-year-old son, Griffin. And part of that is because she just has that kind of personality. That energy fueled her to losing 100 pounds in 2018, a transformation that included being drawn to moving fast in the form of walking. She’s relatively new to trail running and just finished her first Ultra in May of this year at the Smith Rock 50K, and recently finished the Headlands 50-Miler in August. She also points out she’s a huge University Michigan fan and tends to mix up many common sayings.

Give yourself some grace; something Muriel reminds herself of often.  On this podcast you will meet Muriel Bartelme Kreske and hear her inspiring, uplifting story.  She talks about the team she put in place to help her successfully lose 100 lbs.  How moving her body quickly went from walking fast to running ultra marathons.  Muriel talks about her first ultra-attempt which resulted in a DNF.  How that one DNF was so hard to overcome but ended up being a blessing in disguise.  Muriel is a lively, positive, happy person who is still learning and growing in her journey.  We have no doubt you will love her story and be rooting for her.  

IG- @my365fun

Oct 22, 2021

Listen to the applications of runners all over applying for the Season 11 of Becoming Ultra!

Oct 19, 2021

Before Catra Corbett aka Dirt Diva was an ultrarunner, she was a drug addict.  The drugs led her to dropping out of school , developing an eating disorder, damaging relationships and eventually in jail.  Catra hit her rock bottom and decided she was going to turn her life around.  In 1996, two years after being clean and sober, she started lifting weights and walking.  One day she just started running and never stopped.  Catra has completed more than one-hundred 100-mile races, the Moab 240 multiple times, Bigfoot 200 and Badwater 135 and holds the fastest known time for the 425-mile-long John Muir Trail.  Through Catra’s desire to help people by sharing her story she wrote a detailed bestselling book about her life, struggles and triumphs called Reborn on the Run; My Journey from Addiction to Ultramarathons.  

Authentic!  That is the best word to describe Catra.  We could have talked to Catra for hours, she has a lot of life experience and wisdom to share.  On this episode Catra talks about her many running adventures and most recent experience at the Bigfoot 200.  The ultra-running world is lucky to have such a selfless runner out there.  This is a woman who really cares about the community and lifting people up.  We also discuss Catra’s book and being vulnerable.  Of course, we had to talk about the one and only Truman.  Catra is someone that has a lot to offer and is finding new ways to help people who struggle with addiction.  We are big supporters and can’t wait to see what she does.  I hope you enjoy this talk as much as we did.

https://catracorbett.com/

IG: @dirtdiva333

Oct 18, 2021

Runners from all over the world apply to be chosen for the Season 11 of Becoming Ultra project.   Enjoy hearing their stories and see which runners were selected by the coaches!  

Oct 14, 2021

Randi finished up her training with almost no issues and Jenn shares her solo Grand Canyon run and the changes she has seen in herself over the training cycle.  Now all we do is wait for a great race. Enjoy the show!

Oct 13, 2021

Found in the archives.  Katie and Bailey talk about their expectations for their efforts before their first 50k!  

Oct 12, 2021

Dave has been spending lots of time on the bike to let his body recover from some injury and Mariah has been nailing all of her training. Today we talk about what they are expecting during the race and field questions from their coach, Amanda Basham!

Oct 12, 2021

Thanks for joining us as we wrap up calls for race week before Miranda and Melissa get to test themselves in Virginia for their first ultra.  The work is in the bank.  Now it's time to see what they have!  Enjoy!

Oct 12, 2021

Canon’s story may sound very typical at first, married and has two kids, 9 & 7.  Grew up active in a small country town, played all sports as a youngster but focused on soccer in high school and went on to play in college.  Stayed active, until like many people fell victim to the typical office job / marriage / new dad lifestyle and got out of shape.  As a result of stress; poor diet; lack of sleep; too much alcohol, health issues started.  Canon was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Motivated by the desire to be strong for his family and in case a major surgery was needed Canon took control of his health and fitness.  Now at 41 he is in the best shape of his life.  Canon does trail running; CrossFit; ruck hikes; mountain biking and completed the David Goggins 4x4x48 mile challenge.  

 

What a treat to get to know Canon.  Some people are going to have a great attitude no matter what and Canon is one of those people.  We really appreciated him sharing his personal story with us.  We learned more about what it is like living with the autoimmune condition, Ulcerative Colitis.  We also get into some other not so pleasant stuff when it comes to feet issues and when nature calls on the trails.  We found ourselves laughing and sharing maybe a little too much LOL.  It was a fun episode but also one that could really help someone struggling with a similar health issue.  We think you will feel inspired and hopeful after listening to Canon.

Oct 6, 2021

Mike Spiller joins host Scott to answer the audio questions of the eight runners of Season 10 a week before race day.  If you are racing in Virginia this might be a good listen for you too!

Oct 5, 2021

We had the pleasure of chatting with the RD's of the partner race for Season 11. If you have not explored the western slope of Colorado you are in for a treat.  They share everything you need to know before coming out.  The course, pre race, the festival, and lots more!  Enjoy!  

Oct 5, 2021

FORMAT

Jason Fitzgerald is the host of the Strength Running Podcast (one of the top 3 running podcasts in the US of all time) and the founder of Strength Running, an award-winning running blog with hundreds of thousands of monthly readers. A 2:39 marathoner and USATF-certified coach, he’s coached thousands of endurance athletes to faster finishing times and fewer injuries with his results-oriented coaching philosophy.

He’s the winner of the 2011 Morraine Hills Half Marathon, 2012 Maryland Warrior Dash, and the 2013 Potomac River Run Marathon. During his collegiate career, he was a member of the 2002 National Championship-qualifying cross-country team and a top ten finisher in the steeplechase at the 2006 New England Championships.

Jason speaks at industry conferences and for major brands like Anheuser-Busch and the Inter-American Development Bank. He also frequently delivers presentations and coaches at fitness retreats and running camps throughout the United States. His work has been featured in the Washington Post, Runner’s World, Health Magazine, Lifehacker, The Huffington Post, and other major media. 

He lives in Denver, Colorado where you can find him trail running in the nearby Flatirons, cheating on running with his road bike, or at the playground with his wife and three children.

 

“Have fun with the process of training”. Wise words from Jason Fitzgerald.  This is one of our most informative and fun podcasts.  Jason shares some key training tips and so much more, you may be surprised by some of them.  Jason also shares his running history and how his coaching career started.  Sometimes one comment can change the trajectory of your life. This is a good one to have in your training toolbelt. We know you will enjoy it as much as we did.

https://strengthrunning.com/

https://www.youtube.com/user/StrengthRunning

IG - @JasonFitz1

Oct 1, 2021

Join Coach Scott Jones, Ellie Greenwood, and Hillary Allen as they talk about the new season for Becoming Ultra!  New and aspiring ultra runners can apply to be coached for their first ultra in Fruita, Colorado for the Desert RATS Race and Festival. It's going to be an epic season so get ready to sign up here!

Sep 30, 2021

Miranda has had a setback and has some decisions to make regarding her race and Melissa has set some new volume records for herself. Their energy was great and coach Ellie shares a crazy story about racing and bees!  Enjoy.

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