Everyday Ultra

Discover how to train for ultras without sacrificing your life or relationships. Learn to prioritize what truly matters and create a schedule that balances work, family, and fitness. Embrace the concept of treating workouts as essential meetings and adapt your plans around life's unpredictability. Explore the importance of sleep for recovery and the value of fulfillment over mere happiness. Plus, find out how to reclaim time through audits and design your ideal week for maximum efficiency.

Mikey Mitchell, an elite mountain athlete known for his joyful approach to ultrarunning, discusses how embracing fun can enhance performance. He shares insights on balancing discomfort with enjoyment, emphasizing that fear shouldn't hinder progress. Mikey recounts his journey from 10K to Leadville 100, highlighting the community aspect and resilience gained. He links mountaineering skills to success in ultras and critiques the obsession with perfect races, advocating for a more inclusive and enjoyable ultrarunning culture.

In this insightful discussion, Christie Brinker, a certified ultra coach from the Midwest, and Andrew Redden, an experienced mountain racer, share their expert advice on training for mountain ultramarathons. They delve into the common mistakes runners make when preparing for steep climbs and offer practical tips on treadmill training and simulating course elevation. The duo also emphasizes the importance of power hiking, downhill training, and altitude acclimation strategies, ensuring you’re race-day ready—no matter where you live.

Winter can be a challenging time for ultrarunners, but it’s also prime for growth. Uncover how winter training builds mental toughness and aerobic capacity. Learn to tackle cold, dark days with effective strategies for staying motivated and fit. Discover the importance of treadmill training and tips for safe outdoor running in harsh conditions. Plus, get insights on hydration, nutrition, and cross-training options to make the most of winter. Embrace this season as an opportunity to elevate your performance come race day!

In this engaging discussion, Hillary Allen, a world-class trail running athlete and mental performance coach, shares insights from her unique blend of neuroscience and endurance running. She emphasizes that mental toughness is a trainable skill, not just raw determination. Topics include overcoming identity loss after injury, the importance of aligning goals with personal motivation, and practical tools like journaling and affirmations to build self-belief. Hillary redefines rest and recovery as crucial for mental adaptation, making this a must-listen for aspiring ultrarunners.

Dr. Kameron Harder, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and strength coach, shares insights on knee pain, specifically runner’s knee and IT band syndrome. He debunks the myth that running is bad for your knees and emphasizes the role of strength training in injury prevention. Kameron reveals common mistakes runners make when treating knee pain and highlights how hip strength is crucial for recovery. He also discusses the ineffectiveness of foam rolling the IT band and offers practical exercises to stay strong and injury-free.

Lydia Oldham, a creative ultrarunner and storyteller who began her journey during lockdown, shares her transformative path from short runs to ambitious 300-mile projects. She emphasizes the power of self-created challenges over traditional races, reframing failure as a stepping stone to growth. Lydia dives into her mental strategies for tackling tough moments and the profound meaning behind her adventures. Her advice on embracing enjoyment in running encourages anyone to push their limits and redefine their potential.

Dive into the art of designing a training plan for ultra races with practical insights. Discover how to set meaningful goals that foster growth and avoid common planning pitfalls. Learn about the five pillars of ultra performance and which one to prioritize for maximum gains. Get tips on structuring flexible training plans that adapt to life's uncertainties and the difference between being fit and race-ready. Plus, hear about personal reflections on the journey to a prestigious race and how to balance ambition with sustainability in training.

In this engaging conversation, Matt Shapiro, a celebrated endurance photographer and ultrarunner, shares his inspiring journey from alcoholism to sobriety. He reveals how documenting ultra races became his training advantage and made the daunting 200-mile distance feel achievable. Matt discusses his plans for a grueling 2024 race season, the pivotal role of community during his Mammoth 200 experience, and how small, consistent improvements can transform lives. His story underscores the power of resilience and the belief that one can rise above their past.

Alyssa Clark, a professional trail runner and coach, shares her gripping journey through the Ultra Trail Cape Town 100K. She reveals her strategies for overcoming early race struggles, including a challenging stomach issue that almost ended her run. Alyssa discusses the mental shift that transformed her performance and led to a strong finish. She emphasizes the importance of belief and resilience, and why this race became one of her favorites. Tune in for inspiring insights on mindset, strategy, and the power of community in ultra running!