We didn't have this issue the first season. WE had to pick 2 out of about 10 applications. This season was a different story though.  Over 50 applications, most really well thought out and worthy had to be sorted through. Ian Sharman and Liza Howard have a much easier time navigating 100 miles of singletrack than picking only TWO runners.  We hope anyone listening knows how tough this truly was, and how much we appreciate each and every listener and runner who applied!

Matt Fitzgerald is a renowned author usually writing on endurance sports and nutrition.  Strong opinions based in science is how his work feels from an exercise physiology guy. So, what happens when this expert goes big?  We are talking 50 miles?  Well, we will see.  He has is concerns, that's for sure.  Every injury under the sun in the past as well as a less fast version of himself are contentions.  He is, however, willing to do what many literary types are willing to do, put himself out there.  Whether plundering in a heap at mile 26.3 or arms raised in victory, Matt is going to bring us along the journey to become Ultra in 2016 at the American River 50.  Enjoy this first show where we get to know him!

We literally had too many good quotes from this one to pick a title.  Matt trained a year for his attempt at Run Rabbit Run 100 in Steamboat Springs.  He is the first runner we have had that first hired a coach.  How did that work out for him?  What did he learn about running for his next big race?  And, our favorite, what wildlife scares him to death?  You aren't gonna guess this one.  Enjoy another account from the first ultra of this runner!

There is much to cover in the multi media project, Becoming Ultra.  In the season 2 launch show we introduce a new coach who will be coaching a veteran from the amazing charity Team RWB.  We read some responses to the application to see why these runners want to take it to the next level!  We also go over the application to be Ian's runner for the season.  What race will the Ultra project culminate with?  Who are the other team members?  What is Becoming Ultra and why should you listen? All of this and more on the launch show of Becoming Ultra.

Jesse ran his first ultra in his hometown in Michigan back in 2009, a 50k.  His laid back take on nutrition and multiple references to what a "new normal" feels like during a long race were unique and refreshing.  He is a nursing student and sales rep and now runs the trails of Flagstaff, AZ.  He shares two trails in AZ everyone should try if they go there.  Enjoy his account of his first ultra among other things.

Our guest wasn't going to sign up for her first ultra run until she new she was healthy after dealing with some chronic injury.  That day just happened to be 4 days before her first 50k and she broke every rule in the book. Listen to learn from her mistakes and about the fiasco of bad race directors and a crazy course to boot.

Sean had experience running marathons but when he took his first leap into ultra's, he did it with a significant other!  His "why" for the sport is powerful and most people will be able to relate as the great metaphor for life, running, makes sense once again.  He shares some great trails on the Western Slope of Colorado as well as some of his training concepts that helped him succeed.  Enjoy the account of his first ultra!

Sherpa John earned a nickname and a life time passion with his first ultra back in 2005.  What has changed about the sport since then?  Jesus on the trail?  How many has he done since?  We just talk about running that very first ultra, as usual.

The second to last thing you want to do when running an ultra at high altitude is not drink any fluids for the first seven miles.  That would take us to the first thing you don't want to do, pee blood.  Well that's what happened to our guest today on his first ultra.  Learn all about that day and what he learned for his races since on this episode of My First Ultra.

My First Ultra is a regular series with everyday runners sharing their account of their very first attempt at an Ultra, whether successful or not.  As inspiring as the elites are, the everyday runners really get us inspired here at Becoming Ultra!

Name: Patricia Franco

Occupation: Working student

First Ultra: Double crossing of the Grand Canyon

Time trained: eh, you know.

Join us as we talk about the journey, both on the trail and off.  What kept Jules moving when it got really tough out there on the trail?  Ian explains that in every race, quitting crosses your mind.  What does he teach us about how to deal with those thoughts?  What is next for the Becoming Ultra Project and what can we do to get better?  All this and more on the final call of the first season of Becoming Ultra.

We interview everyday runners, like today's guest who is a High School assistant principal in Colorado, and learn the story of their first Ultra.  Everyone can become something bigger than what they are today.  Everyone can Become Ultra.

The Becoming Ultra project is all about you, the aspiring runner and eventually Ultra Runner.  We had a couple athletes that represented you.  They never ran an Ultra in their life.  They were nervous. Life was happening all around but they trained, like you will, and did what they set out to accomplish(well, one of them did)  So, what did we learn from the process and how can we do better.  You're going to have to listen to figure that out.  It's the Becoming Ultra show!

In this last call before Jules attempts the 50k in Aspen at the Power Of Four 50k Ian Sharman helps her sort through what is necessary physically, mentally, and gearwise.  A quick and informative look at a few things Jules may have forgotten.  How to deal with nerves?  How much warming up is necessary?  What to do the last few days before the event.  This and more is covered on the Becoming Ultra show!

Michele just got back from Western States and had a pretty unique experience. Hear what she did that she has never done before out there for safety.  Why did she keep wanting to go to sleep?  We talk about the Colorado 200 and why she may need ot abck off from competing for a little while.  A show that shares that even the best of us have things that hold us back. Oh and where in the hell is Bailey?

Ian Sharman and Jules Sentes are back after a few weeks on the trail and competing in one of the biggest Ultra's out there. Ian uses his experience to answer some very specific questions Jules has about her own 50k coming up.  If you are a beginner and need to learn some more of those things that every runner sweats for a first event, this is a good show for you.  Enjoy the Becoming Ultra show.

My FIrst Ultra is sharing the experiences of runners of all levels regarding their first Ultra.  There will be elites as well as everyday runners contributing to the show.  This first show may just set the bar high enough with Ultra runner Josh Arthur and his running buddy Ashley Erba. Enjoy!

Like a good ultra, we were all over the place on this show but that made it very interesting.  Ian talks about a few athletes that he looks to in the sport that he competes in as well as some interesting things going on on the Appalachian Trail. He started his heat training for Western States and shares how he does this.  We also delve into coaching and what challenges come along with it. All in all, a very entertaining show if you like running and ultra running, as it should be!

The Becoming Ultra show gets heavy into pre and post races practices for warming up, cooling down, and recovering. What is the perfect warm up? What does elite ultra runner Michele Yates do for her warm up? What are some best and preferred practices for post race? Warming up for an Ultra should be different than your last half marathon, we will tell you how. We also get into The Colorado 200 coming up this summer! Enjoy the Becoming Ultra show presented by Athlete On Fire!

Life is crazy complicated sometimes and sometimes there isn't one thing you can do about it. Jules life is no exception.  We dive in and see if we can pull out some chunks of time so she can manage it a bit better.  Dealing with lawyers and serious life issues are in the way though, it's a good look for people dealing with stress and time management.  We also talk a bit about her cold, rainy trail half a couple weeks ago and what to race in next.  Enjoy this episode with Jules and her world class coach, Ian Sharman on the Becoming Ultra Show.

We are still following along Bailey and her journey to becoming an ultra runner but this week we wanted to take a side road to learn more about basic nutrition.  We didn't even touch on race day and runner specific nutrition but the episode is full of recipe ideas and general principles for you and anyone else wanting to eat better on a daily basis.  Enjoy the Becoming Ultra show!

Bailey has been dealing with a literal pain in the butt.  ITBS feels like a knife pushing into the outside of your knee so when the pain finally goes away, how do you train smart?  That is the theme of today's show along with balancing work, life, and running to insure you are enjoying this pasttime of running.  Michele also shares her experience last week in her own ultra competition!

Besides all of the hundreds of miles on trail, the nutrition, and strength training there is one thing that scares athletes of new sports. It's the gear.  What do I need? What should I wear?  Why is he or she wearing that? Do I really need to spend that much? Well, today Ian Sharman goes through most every gear you would need with his running student on the Becoming Ultra show.  

Michele Yates and Bailey Black are on the Becoming Ultra show to share the journey.  Michele, a world class ultra runner is coaching the ultra newbie and they have already run into a snag.  This snag, ITBS, ends up being the main focus of the show. We talk injury prevention, treatment, and how tough it is mentally to deal with chronic injuries.  You may be checking your shoes before this episode is over.