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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: December, 2021
Dec 28, 2021

Jacky Hunt-Broersma is an amputee, cancer survivor, and ultra-runner who has only been running for the past five years.  Originally from South Africa, Jacky currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and two children.  Being an amputee has not stopped Jacky from accomplishing some big goals such as her first 40-mile trail race, the TransRockies stage race and 100 miles on her treadmill in less than 24 hours. 

Have you ever met someone that inspires you? I mean deep down inspiration!  Meeting Jacky gave us a feeling of inspiration and awe that is hard to match.  Jacky was not a runner before her leg was amputated, she became a runner after.  Most people wouldn’t even think that was a possibility.  Jacky is not like most people.  Her motto is you are stronger than you think you are, and she lives it.  She doesn’t focus on where she was, she focuses on what where she wants to be.  I find myself thinking of this conversation often.  I know you will enjoy Jacky’s story and wisdom as much as we did.

IG- @ncrunnerjacky

Dec 24, 2021

On the 12th run of Christmas we want you to find ways to be grateful out there.  Every ten minutes you change your focus to something different to be grateful for in your life!  Enjoy

Dec 23, 2021

On this 11th run of Christmas, we want you to push the vertical.  On the podcast we give you a few ideas of how to do it!  Enjoy and get after it!

Dec 22, 2021

This one is going to be easier for some than others depending on your running history!  We also give a few save the dates for adventures in 2022!  Enjoy the show. 

Dec 21, 2021

Amanda runs to stay halfway sane, and to spend time with her amazing friend and running partner, Alissa. Which means she runs a lot. Amanda has been running for nearly 30 years and has done all sorts of races with a primary goal to run until she is an old lady. When she is not running, she is leading the Institute for Religion, Politics & Culture at Iliff School of Theology, working her way toward a PhD, writing, and speaking, and parenting 3 teen/ young adults. Amanda ran her first marathon in 2001 and it was so horrible it took her 11 years to run another... and she hasn’t  stopped since. Ten years ago, she was lucky enough to move into the house directly behind Alissa they quickly discovered that they were both runners, and even better, found that they ran a similar pace and had more in common than she ever could have imagined. Amanda & Alissa did their first ultra in the summer of 2019- the Bear Creek 50K, and just survived the Bear Creek 50 mile.

Alissa is a research faculty at the University of Denver and has dedicated her professional life to education.  Personally, she is the mother of 2 and it was motherhood that propelled her into running about 18 years ago.  She ran her first half marathon in 2013 and her first marathon in 2015.  She has run 3 marathons, a 50K and most recently a 50-mile race.  Alissa describes running as her coffee, her happy hour, her social time, her therapy, her time in the outdoors … and oh yeah… and exercise.

“Today well lived makes every yesterday a memory of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.”  We had such a great time discussing friendship and trail running.  This one will make you want to grab your bestie and hit the trails.  Amanda & Alissa tell the story of their friendship and love of running.  We discuss how beneficial having a good friend is during runs and races.  These beautiful ladies have a wonderful bond that has been strengthened by lots of miles.  Their support of each other will leave you inspired.  

Dec 21, 2021

On the 9th run of Christmas we ran faster the shorter the interval.  Learn pacing and turnover in one of our favorite track sets.  You can do it anywhere really but flat would be ideal! Enjoy.

Dec 20, 2021

On the 8th run of Christmas, we want you to go for an enjoyable run with no major expectations other than have fun.  5 miler!  Enjoy.

Dec 19, 2021

On the 7th run things got real.  Especially if you have never run mile repeats before.  Enjoy and get after it!

Dec 18, 2021

Although both runners have different things going on they both have a similar training trajectory, recovery.  We talk about the running and the culture around the holidays.. Enjoy!

Dec 18, 2021

For any given race, a bunch of friends will get together and plan to crew for a friend and fellow runner.  We get to listen in on one of those conversations on this podcast.  Beth is running the Bandera 100k in Texas in January and her crew had a call to go over everything.  Enjoy!

Dec 18, 2021

On this, the 6th run of Christmas,  we run on tired legs.  The lunge run is a staple for runners wanting to run strong in mountains or to change up their mid week training! Enjoy

Dec 17, 2021

On this, the 5th run of Christmas, we ask you to pick up the pace a bit and do a different type of run workout.   You can call them striders or accelerations but make sure you warm up well and know your limits.  Enjoy the effort out there!

Dec 16, 2021

Due to a high mountain wind storm this episode is wayyyy shorter than intended but we got the information to you!  Enjoy your run today!

Dec 15, 2021

Coach Hillary Allen has been across the globe winning an ultra on her own and has come back to see how Jeremy and Evangelyn have been doing with their own training!  Enjoy. 

Dec 15, 2021

Listen to the goal for the third run of Christmas as well as a few stories from night runs of your host, Scott!  The time his buddies ran at night so he would go out with them.  The shooting star at the end of 100k.  The critter who joined a night run.  Enjoy the show!

Dec 14, 2021

Ryan Steiner is an unlikely ultra runner. Ryan spent most of his life extremely overweight topping off at over 700lbs, currently he has lost over 400lbs of that. Ryan is autistic and has a complicated relationship with food. In the last few years, he has overcome this complicated relationship with the help of his 5-year-old daughter, Kala and their mutual love of running for hours. Ryan and Kala just finished their first ultra 50k together at the Hennepin Hundred, on October 3. Ryan pushed Kala the entire way in a stroller that he calls the chariot. This next year, Ryan promises, will be even more epic for the duo! As a stay-at-home dad Ryan and Kala spend all their time together. These two are best friends with a symbiotic relationship that will fill your heart. 

Have you ever met someone that changes the way you look at something?  We are excited to share Ryan’s story with you.  Ryan talks about being autistic and immersing himself in running.  He shares with us the long journey of weight loss and how moving his body and running have changed his life.  Once you hear his unique perspective on DNF’s I promise you will think differently about them.  Ryan lights up when he talks about his daughter Kala and the special bond they share.  Ryan is an incredibly kind and positive person.  This was a very special podcast for us.  I know you will think so too!

IG- @running_with_kala

 

Dec 14, 2021

On the second run of Christmas... we gave you a tough negative split based run.  Listen in and let us know how it went for you!

Dec 13, 2021

Scott is taking the time to share the 12 Runs of Christmas over the next couple weeks as a way to keep you moving and changing it up a bit during a time that many find tough!  Today on the show, a description of the run and ramblings around the goal of the day. We hope you like and if you want to support the project, sign up officially HERE!

Dec 13, 2021

Coach Hillary Allen and Scott get to meet Jeremy of Missouri and Evangelyn of Colorado.  Although they are both coming from a completely different set of circumstances we learn how alike they are when it comes to these big goals.  Enjoy getting to know them!

Dec 10, 2021

We are so glad we didn't lose these awesome first shows of Season 11.  Coach Ellie meets her newest Becoming Ultra runners Lene and Caitlin. Enjoy the show!

Dec 10, 2021

We thought these first episodes of Season 11 were lost but luckily we got them back so you can hear the first episodes getting to know all of the runners of Season 11.  Enjoy the show!

Dec 8, 2021

Cale and Meghan Pearson are in Portland for their sons basketball tournaments and had to find a local trail to run 13.1 on for today's effort.  They update us on their training and mindset as we finish out the year.  Enjoy the show.   Need a December goal?  Do the 12 Runs Of Christmas with us!

Dec 7, 2021

Coach Ellie fields questions from her runners who are training for their first ultra!  Caitlin has a nagging knee and Lene is dealing with minimal light in the Norwegian winter!  Enjoy the show.

Dec 7, 2021

Jen didn’t realize where running could take her until she was in her late 20s. She grew up in small town rural Ohio where she dabbled in multiple sports, but credits years of competitive gymnastics with leaving her strong, athletic, and disciplined. A rigorous graduate school program led to a Doctorate in Physical Therapy but left little time for training. At the age of 25, she began training with friends and her husband to run a half marathon, despite not being able to comfortably run more than a mile. Realizing that running doesn’t have to be a form of punishment, Jen raced more road half marathons with a dream of completing a marathon that was never fulfilled due to injuries, a demanding job and the birth of her daughter. Her love of trail running began when she discovered obstacle course racing, tough Mudders and Spartan Races.  A few trail half marathon finishes and the documentary “How to Run 100 Miles”, sparked her interest in trying to run farther than a half marathon. A pandemic, turning 40, a leave of absence from her job and virtual learning for her daughter, her interest suddenly became a reality. Jen decided to “go big or go home” and registered for (and finished!) the OPSF 50K which is hailed as the “toughest trail race in Indiana” for her first ultra in March 2021, followed by Dances with Dirt 50K in May and is now training for the Jackson County 50K in southern Indiana in December. She currently lives in flat central Indiana with her supportive husband and her 7-year-old daughter. She hopes she can be an inspiration to anyone that is hesitant to do big things, no matter what those might be. Ultra running has taught Jen that you’ll never know what you are capable of if you never try. And this is just the beginning of her own ultra journey.  

“Find something big that lives inside you”  Jen did just that, she is getting ready to conquer her third ultra marathon in one year.  This was a great talk about balance and carving out time for yourself.  On this episode Jen also talks about overcoming fears and not giving up.  Jen’s story is so relatable because like so many of us, she is a busy wife, mother and career women trying to strike a balance and achieve her personal goals.  Jen will inspire you to go for it!

Dec 2, 2021

On this episode Amy deals with some niggles and a cold start to her new Alaska adventure and Cale and Meghan get off to a great start in their training. Enjoy the show!

 

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