Becoming Ultra
676 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 112 ratingsBecoming Ultra is following the journey's of runners who are being coached by some of the best coaches in the sport. The runners coaching calls and journey is documented on this podcast and social media. Along the way will be coaching tips, race directors perspective, and the stories of elite and everyday runners on their first Ultra run!
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Episodes
Ultra Nutrition: 04 4000-5000 caloried without fats and carbs?
April 23, 2024 15:24 - 21 minutes - 13.8 MBOn the newest episode with Abby McQueeny Penamonte we answer a listener's question about how to get lots of calories without fat and carbs. We are here to answer the questions you have and hopefully give you a better understanding of what your body needs to perform and function at the highest levels. Enjoy!
Season 14:49 Amanda has her pre race call with coach Addie Bracy!
April 19, 2024 18:45 - 11 minutes - 7.49 MBThe work is done and Amanda is ready to get to Arizona to run her first ultra. She has had an amazing training cycle and is looking forward to celebrating her fitness in the Sedona sunshine. She has some great mantra's for the run, many that happen to be on her body in perpetuity as tattooes! We hope you enjoy her last call!
Season 14:48 Brittany does her pre race call with coach Ian Sharman!
April 19, 2024 18:39 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBThe training is done and Brittany has a few pre race questions for her coach before she gets to Sedona to run her first ultra. What are her expectations, mantra's, and goals for the race? How will she plan for the heat? These runners work hard for 6 months before running their first ultra so we hope you enjoy the show and energy everyone has put in!
Season 14:47. Mari's last call before her first 50k!
April 18, 2024 01:56 - 24 minutes - 16.1 MBSome last minute questions and a little conversation about specifics for Arizona on this last call with Mari before she becomes an ultra runner! Enjoy.
Season 15 Coaches for the Grindstone 50k
April 12, 2024 20:50 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBCoaches Ian Sharman, Scott Jones, Lindsay LaForce, and Addie Bracy get together to talk about the upcoming Season 15 for Becoming Ultra. Season 15 will be held at the Grindstone Trail Running Festival in Virginia in September. If you are ready to run your first ultra, consider applying for the newest offering from Becoming Ultra. You won't be disappointed! Season 15
Season 14:46 "Your best is always accessible."
April 10, 2024 14:37 - 27 minutes - 18.1 MBAmanda is cruising through some long efforts on the trails and getting more comfortable in her new running surroundings. Addie brings some wisdom to call about race as a celebration of the training and accessing your best at any moment. It's been a great ramp up to Amanda's first ultra. Hope you enjoy! Season 15 is taking applications now!
Season 14:45 Stream crossings and heat training.
April 09, 2024 14:45 - 26 minutes - 18 MBBrittany is only a few weeks away from running her first ultra and she had some specific course questions for her coach Ian Sharman. How do I deal with stream crossings. Do I take off my shoes? Change socks right after? How can I prep for the heat in the desert since the training has been in cooler weather? Great questions for the ramp up to her first ultra. We hope you enjoy!
My First Ultra: 127 Scott Hagerty
April 09, 2024 10:00 - 59 minutes - 35.4 MBScott Hagerty is a fellow BU teammate, grandfather, and ultra runner. We had a blast talking to Scott about all things trail running. Scott has an incredible knack for finding the coolest races. We get a fun recap of the Outlaw 100 and talk about the upcoming Earth Day Buckle Mania race. Scott discusses how he makes his love of running a family affair and keeps his need for adventure alive. Scott’s reason for running will resonate with a lot of us who started hitting the trails later in life...
Season 15: Race Director and founder Clark Zealand of the Grindstone 50k.
April 08, 2024 17:36 - 37 minutes - 24.6 MBWe have found an amazing race partner for the next season of Becoming Ultra. We are headed back east for epic trails and memories in the mountains of Virginia. On the show today we have the founder and RD of the Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB, Clark Zealand. As a collegiate runner, Clark started his ultra running journey in the late 90's. It led to him eventually starting the Grindstone 100 miler. He talks about his own running journey, the Grindstone course and history, and ...
Season 14:44 "Am I going to fall off a cliff?"
April 04, 2024 14:33 - 18 minutes - 12.2 MBMari has a few questions and concersn abou thte race in Sedona as she nears the end of the training cycle. We set up expectations for the last training weeks for her first ultra! Enjoy.
My First Ultra: 126 Caitlin Miller
April 02, 2024 10:00 - 59 minutes - 34.5 MBWe would like to dedicate this episode to our friend and fellow Team BU member, DeLorean, whose wife, Mandy recently lost her battle with cancer. Caitlin Miller lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and rescue greyhound. She loves running but almost gave up on it after a debilitating lower back injury. Not soon after a long recovery and getting back to running she learned about the depths of grief and running through it. We hope Caitlin’s story will inspire others and instill perseverance...
Ultra Nutrition: 03 "Should athletes be concerned with whole foods on the run?"
April 01, 2024 16:59 - 20 minutes - 13.7 MBNutrition coach Abby is back to answer another listener question. Should athletes be concerned with whole foods on the run? We talk about the different options and what variables may or may not change how you decide to fuel your runs. Enjoy!
Season 14:43 Amanda's first trail race and longest training run of the cycle!
March 29, 2024 17:06 - 14 minutes - 9.88 MBAmanda got the full trail race treatment at her first trail race recently. Full with mud, rain, cold, snow, and slosh she learned a lot to bring with her to her first ultra in April! She also ran her longest of the training, a 22 mile and is realizing that trail running has a "more unexpected element" compared to road running! We think it's the best part of the sport. Enjoy the show!
My First Ultra: 125 Megan Eckert
March 26, 2024 10:00 - 51 minutes - 26.1 MBMegan Eckert is someone who has found her community and embraced them. She didn’t start trail running until she was 30. Recently, at the Snowdrop Ultra she completed 218.87 miles, set a new female course record, and qualified for the US National 24-hour team. Three weeks later she was the last person standing at the Saguara Showdown Backyard Ultra, completing 270 miles. Megan talks about those experiences with gratitude and enthusiasm. We also talk about her influence as a cross country coac...
Season 14:42 Mari's biggest week in miles ever, fastest mile.
March 25, 2024 19:12 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBAs Mari continues to train for her first ultra she keeps breaking her own personal records. In the last couple weeks she has put up the most volume for a week ever and the fastest mile ever. Pretty impressive in the middle of the big volume. We talk about the training for the last month and answer some more about race day! Enjoy the show!
Season 14:41 The saga of the shin.
March 22, 2024 14:32 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBAs Brittany works through a slight setback her coach, Ian Sharman, makes sure she is getting ready for the start of her first 50k with a thoughtful approach to dealing with niggles and ramping up for big running goals! We hope you enjoy!
Season 14:40 The Sedona VUE race director Erica is back!
March 20, 2024 18:54 - 48 minutes - 31.8 MBThe owner and founder of our partner race for Season 14 is back on with her social media and community manager to talk about the weekend festivities, local happenings, and race course so you can show up in Arizona ready to roll. Enjoy the show!
My First Ultra: 124 Libby Jones
March 19, 2024 10:00 - 59 minutes - 33.9 MBLibby Jones is the founder and Race Director for The Active Joe. Since 2008 she has been putting on fun, friendly, affordable races with a focus inclusion. Libby Jones is a race director with a passion for bringing all people together. On this podcast we discuss how she creates races that include the underrepresented in running. We also discuss her journey to become a Western States qualifier and what it takes to organize these races. Libby stands by her morals and does everything with hea...
My First Ultra: 123 Chad Sullivan
March 12, 2024 11:00 - 53 minutes - 30 MBChad Sullivan is a father, husband, writer, and ultra runner. He is the creator of Hard Prairie, a magazine and website that highlights the trail and ultra running community with human stories of vulnerability and beautiful photography that compliments each story. We talked with Chad about his journey to sobriety and the changes it brought to his life. We learn about Chad’s running background and how he found his way to writing for Eat Clean, Run Dirty magazine and eventually starting Hard...
Ultra Nutrition: 02 "For those of us who HATE logging our food. Is there an alternative?"
March 11, 2024 20:58 - 18 minutes - 11.9 MBNutrition coach and RD Abby Penamonte McQueeny and coach Scott Jones discuss more listener questions in the new series about nutrition and fueling for runners. Today's question was "For those of us who HATE logging our food. Is there an alternative?" Enjoy the show and shoot us your best questions for upcoming episodes!
Season 14:39 Downcyle week for Amanda and Addie starts her season in a couple weeks.
March 06, 2024 08:04 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBAs Amanda recovers this week Addie preps for her first race of the season in the PNW. We even have Amanda give her coach some advcie for the effort! Becoming Ultra follows the journey of first time ultra runners. Enjoy!
Season 14:38 Ian's game plan to get Brittany ready for Sedona dealing with shin pain.
March 05, 2024 13:52 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBBrittany is still dealing with the shin pain that kind of sidelined her for a couple weeks but it is getting better. He lays out a plan for her to keep her focused and confident that setbacks aren't always as final as we feel they are in the moment. We hope you enjoy!
My First Ultra: 122 Eric Quallen
March 05, 2024 11:00 - 58 minutes - 33.4 MBPlease listen with an open mind and heart. When we are open to expanding our views and learning with compassion it is a beautiful thing and that is what sparks change. Eric Quallen is a trans ultra runner, Wildlife Biologist who recently obtained his PhD, he is a dog lover, and master educator for leave no trace. He has completed many ultra marathons including Moab 240, Wyoming Range 100, and Zion 100. Eric is one of the most open and honest people we have had on our podcast. He shares h...
Season 14:37 The long run that mentally blocked Mari and the pep talk for perspective!
March 04, 2024 18:08 - 27 minutes - 18.3 MBMari has had some mentally down moments after her long run from a couple weeks ago had her reeling a bit. Her coach Scott gives perspective from a few different angles to get her back on track. Realizing that so many go through the same tough spots is so helpful for new ultra runners. We hope you enjoy!
My First Ultra: 121 Bailey Ketron & Katie Wightman
February 27, 2024 17:00 - 44 minutes - 25.6 MBWe love a story of friendship born on the trails. Bailey and Katie were both selected as season 10 participants of Becoming Ultra and now they are the best of friends. On this podcast we discuss how running ultras impacts your life and how it helps you gain the confidence to take on other substantial life changes. Bailey and Katie talk about how they supported each other for their first 100 miler, even when the outcome is not what was planned. We had an interesting conversation about being a...
Ultra Nutrition 01: Weight loss drugs and intermittent fasting while training.
February 26, 2024 22:17 - 29 minutes - 19.2 MBIn a new series, we bring on Nutrition coach and Registered Dietician Abby McQueeny Penamonte to answer your questions about all thing nutrition. On the first episode she answers your questions. Today she answers: Weight loss drugs (ie: Ozempic)- how do you integrate that with endurance athletes and eating since this medication curbs your appetite? How do you feel about Intermittent fasting when it comes to endurance athletes? Have questions? Send them to [email protected]...
Season 14:36. Sheila suffers a setback, Lindsay gives some guidance as a PT and her coach!
February 24, 2024 14:38 - 23 minutes - 15.2 MBIf and when we get injured we have to deal with the physical aspect of coming back to health but sometimes, the mental aspect of losing momentum is much tougher. Sheila suffered a setback with a knee injury and her coach and PT Lindsay talks her through the process on both the physical and mental side of things. We hope you enjoy!
Season 14:35 Defining and dealing with the pain cave!
February 22, 2024 21:24 - 31 minutes - 20.8 MBAmanda had one of those longs runs. You know the one where you start off not feeling great and it never really gets better. Spending time in the "pain cave" can be a big deterent but reframing the experience as her coach Addie does on the show today can pay off big time for future efforts and race day! Enjoy the show.
Season 14:34 Shin pain and dropping run volume for power hiking efforts.
February 20, 2024 15:51 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBBrittany is dealing with some shin pain that seem like shin splints and her coach Ian Sharman wants to make sure it isn't serious so they are backing off and relying on more power hiking in the training for now. It's a great lesson on adapting to our bodies even when big goals are on the line. Enjoy the show.
Season 14:33 Mari learns some tough lessons on her long technical run.
February 14, 2024 15:22 - 20 minutes - 13.6 MBAs Mari's long runs get longer she is finding new trails to explore. Her four hour effort had her frustrated and maybe even shedding a few tears but she came out with a better understanding of the importance of being present on these efforts. She also asks some great questions about race day. Specifically, how to get in the right place on the trail early on in the race. Enjoy the show!
My FIrst Ultra: 120 Mark White
February 13, 2024 11:00 - 51 minutes - 28.8 MBMark White describes himself as just a heavy Dad who runs ultras. He ran his first 50k when he was 45 years old and weighed 310 lbs. The following year he took on the 50-mile distance. Since then, he hasn’t stopped training and running trails all over the country. The best part of doing this podcast is being able to tell peoples stories of inspiration. Mark is not letting anything stop him from going after big goals. He knows the value of doing hard things and is putting in the work daily....
My First Ultra: 119 Sid Garza-Hillman
February 06, 2024 11:00 - 1 hour - 52.4 MBSid Garza-Hillman is an author, podcaster, public speaker, certified nutritionist and running coach, Oxygen Advantage breathing instructor, and founder of smallsteppers.com. He is also the Stanford Inn & Resort’s Wellness Programs Director and Race Director of the Mendocino Coast 50k trail ultramarathon. We had the best time chatting with Sid. He is so engaging and fun, we could have talked for hours. We discussed his new book, Ultra Running for Normal People; Life Lessons Learned On and ...
Season 14:32 We break down a single bad run for Amanda!
February 05, 2024 16:26 - 27 minutes - 17.7 MBBad runs are going to happen. There are plenty of reasons why but being two thirds of the way through a training cycle seems to be the sweet spot of heavy legs and "bad" runs. Coach Addie helps to reframe the effort as well as brings up some of the legitimate positives of dealing with these types of runs! It's something we can all relate to so we hope you enjoy!
Season 14:31 Fatigue, hot spots, and downed trees in training.
February 03, 2024 16:39 - 25 minutes - 17 MBBrittany is feeling the effecs of her efforts in training and coach Ian Sharman reframes many of her efforts to keep her rolling. On the episode we talk about best ways to deal with hot spots on longer runs. We talk about running with fatigue at this point in the training cycle. Lastly, we talk about dealing with more hill running where the access has been tough. We hope you can relate and learn something too!
My First Ultra: 118 Scott & Cale's 100 Mile Adventure!
January 30, 2024 11:00 - 55 minutes - 34.2 MBWe sit down and chat with Scott & Cale about their epic 100 mile adventure from Moab to Fruita!
Season 14:30 Mari PR's her half marathon in Florida!
January 27, 2024 01:45 - 30 minutes - 20.5 MBMari is seeing the work pay off as she in her words,"finally got under 2 hrs" for the half marathon distance. We talk about the next month of training and what to expect as the long runs will keep lengthening. Enjoy listening to the journey of runners training for their first ultra!
Season 14:29 Adapting to the winter seems to be the theme, Amanda deals with ICE too!
January 24, 2024 13:16 - 28 minutes - 18.7 MBWell, the theme of these last few calls is how do we adapt to the season. The season would be winter who brought lots of cold and annoying ice to the mix for the runners of Season 14. Addie shares some tips on training in the cold and even got out in -25 herself. Amanda is figuring it out and getting her training in! Enjoy.
Season 14:28 The mental toughness of winter will pay off in the spring.
January 23, 2024 13:13 - 22 minutes - 15.2 MBBrittany and her PNW people have been dealing with lots of unique weather, mainly ice, that has made training tricky. Ian suggests some ways to keep the long efforts exciting and interesting and where Brittany should put her focus! Enjoy the show!
My First Ultra: 117 Helen Mino Faukner
January 23, 2024 11:00 - 47 minutes - 27 MBHelen Mino Faukner has been named the #7 female ultra runner of the year by ultra running magazine. She recently had a podium finish at one of the most competitive ultra marathons in the world , CCC 100k. She is positive, always smiling and always wearing heart shaped glasses. We can’t say enough good things about Helen. At age 27 she has managed to figure out a few things that take most of us a lot longer. She is living her life aligned with her values and not letting her ego get in the...
Season 14:27 Sheila's work interferes.
January 22, 2024 16:52 - 15 minutes - 11 MBSheila is dealing with what so many runners and people with big goals might be dealing with, a demanding work schedule. Sheila shares it has been hard to get in all the work but Lindsay makes sure she knows she is in a normal place and the training can be a priority too. Enjoy the show!
Season 14:26 Mari nails her longest run of the training, preps for a half marathon race.
January 18, 2024 18:15 - 27 minutes - 19.5 MBMari is dealing with winter which seems to be the theme of the week for all of our runners in the project. We talk about mindset for the long runs, especially the end of them, so she can start the mental prep of what it will take to tackle the 50k. We talk a bit about fueling for these efforts and her upcoming training half marathon! Enjoy the show.
My First Ultra: 116 Mary Davison
January 16, 2024 11:00 - 58 minutes - 29.6 MBMary Davison is an 82-year-old long distance backpacker; she is a retired Pastor and Grandmother of 10. She began long distance backpacking at age 60 and has accomplished the Triple Crown, The Appalachian Trail (2,198 miles) , Pacific Crest Trail (2,653 miles) , and the Continental Divide (3,028 miles). She is also the author of two books with a third on the way. Mary has redefined what it means to be old. On this podcast we discuss Mary’s accomplishments as an older backpacker. We also d...
Season 14:25 Amanda gets a crash course on running on trails off the beaten path.
January 09, 2024 18:11 - 33 minutes - 21.7 MBAmanda is nailing her training recently but has one hang up we delve into on the episode. She hasn't run alone on trails so Addie and Scott give her a crash course on things to consider. The elements, animals, people, and etiquette. It's a question and concern we get pretty often as coaches so we hope you enjoy the chat!
Season 14:24 Brittany deals with hip, continues to hit all of her training.
December 31, 2023 16:51 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MBBrittany conitnues to get all of her training in through the busy season. Coach Ian helps put pain verse discomfort in perspective which is a good lesson for all runners and athletes. Brittany sees PT for shoulder and hip issues but seems to be good! Enjoy the show!
Season 14:23 The headphone question for runners, keeping evening walks, and Mari's birthday!
December 30, 2023 16:39 - 39 minutes - 26.1 MBOn this episode Scott and Mari have a great conversation about where her training is and how she is feeling. She has nailed every effort in the training and is experiencing some of the heavy legs we get when volume increases. We talk about headphones and when to use and not use them. We make sure Mari keeps her evening walks and she celebrates her 38th birthday! Enjoy.
Season 14:22 We break down where Amanda runs in percentages, talk about Santa!
December 29, 2023 16:57 - 25 minutes - 17 MBCoach Addie guides Amanda through early training and gives some great information on fueling needs that Amanda will have to consider for her long efforts. We break down where she runs based on trail, road/path, and indoors. Scott had to ask when they stopped believing in Santa, if ever! Enjoy.
Season 14:21 Brittany gets to double digits, Ian coaches her on early fueling practice.
December 28, 2023 16:49 - 25 minutes - 16.9 MBCoach Ian and his runner for Season 14 catch up on her training. She hit her first double digit run at 10 miles and is feeling generally good, with some fatigue to be expected. Ian coaches her up on some concepts of fueling that she can put into practice!
Season 14:20 Travis recovers from hernia surgery, deals with liver enzyme issue.
December 27, 2023 16:42 - 17 minutes - 11.4 MBTravis and his coach Scott navigate some recovery issues stemming from a couple different issues but he seems to be on the mend and ready to train well for his first 50 miler in Sedona. He is coming back from a hernia surgery and learning how to deal with some out of whack liver enzymes. We hope you enjoy hearing the stories of everyday people training for big things!
Season 14:19 Sheila learns the importance of fixing feet early in a race in Moab!
December 26, 2023 16:22 - 22 minutes - 14.5 MBOn this episode coach Lindsay helps Sheila navigate some new experiences and gives some great coaching on dealing with the running in the winter issue we all have this time of year. Sheila is a new runner from Grannd Junction, Colorado training for her first ultra in Sedona in April!
Season 14:18 Noel interviews her coach Lindsay!
December 20, 2023 15:55 - 25 minutes - 16.5 MBOn this episode Noel catches us up with her training and takes the second half to interview her coach to get to know her better!