Blueprint to Ultra – Details, episodes & analysis

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Blueprint to Ultra

Sports

Frequency: 1 episode/14d. Total Eps: 54

Whether you are dabbling with the idea of running your first ultra or wanting to figure out how you can push farther than you ever have before, we are here to help you put that plan together. Join ultra runners, Steve and Jeff, as we interview people that are just like you, all with the goal of helping you answer the question, "what does it take?"

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Data updated on 20/10/2026

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https://www.instagram.com/blueprint_to_ultra
54 shares
https://www.instagram.com/so_cal_runner
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https://www.instagram.com/winchesterjeff
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https://www.jwultrarunning.com/
44 shares
https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/
44 shares
https://www.mammothtrailfest.com/
2 shares

https://www.youtube.com/@UC14hee_evccl_0Gvc2W8LMA
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https://www.youtube.com/@Performance-Place-chiropractor
2 shares
https://www.youtube.com/@TheWolfThatRuns
1 share

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Episode 53: Danielle Fazio - You were capable the whole time

Episode 53

Friday, October 16, 2026 • Duration 01:19:01

We are joined by Danielle Fazio on the show this week with a former colleague of Steve's at Fleet Feet Laguna Niguel. Danielle shares how a college triathlon in Mexico and learning to run by taking run/walk trips to Blockbuster video sparked her love of endurance sports, trail running, and ultras. Because yes, we all begin somewhere!

Danielle recounts her early longer efforts like Pikes Peak Marathon, her first 50K at Lake Hodges and then her rapid progression to 100Ks and 100-milers. We dig into the Speedgoat 50K as her lowest moment which was also just a few short months prior to her running UTMB and accepting that one race doesn’t predict another.

Danielle explains how a 2025 stress fracture brought relief, renewed connection through cross-training, and deeper community support leading into Kodiak, where staged mantras and process goals helped her win her age group and earn a UTMB spot. That's right, she went to from run/walks to Blockbuster video to winning a entry into UTMB by her performance at the Kodiak 100.

We talk about UTMB’s demands, travel logistics, aid-station culture, pacing technical terrain, and finishing with the message, “You were capable the whole time.”

The episode has a little bit of everything to help you in your own journey.

Join us and don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start watching, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.

Connect with Danielle on IG: @danielle.fazio

Connect with us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@blueprint_to_ultra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for a coach?

Work with Jeff: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jwultrarunning.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Work with Steve: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/

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Episode 52: Roger Johnson - Fail until you succeed

Episode 52

Friday, October 2, 2026 • Duration 01:08:24

On this episode of the podcast we interview Marine Corps instructor and hybrid athlete Roger Johnson, who began endurance sports around age 35 after reading Kelly Starrett’s Ready to Run. Roger shares how military leadership, early-morning routines, and a drive for self-discovery shaped his mindset, plus tactics like mirror reminders and eliminating “options” when the alarm goes off. We talk about his first ultra, chasing resiliency through discomfort, including his experience at the Cherokee 130K and why it didn’t deliver the emotional low he expected and hoped for. Yeah, you read that right. The conversation covers balancing strength and endurance with relatively low running volume, training constraints without elevation, preparing for his first 100-miler (Beast of the East), and how pushing with Ainsley’s Angels changed his definition of success.Join us and don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start listening, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe.

Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.

Connect with Roger on IG: @failuntilyousucceed

Connect with us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@blueprint_to_ultra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for a coach?

Work with Jeff: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jwultrarunning.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Work with Steve: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/

Episode 51: Britney Brugger - We all run for different reasons. But, once you get into ultras, there is no turning back.

Episode 51

Friday, September 18, 2026 • Duration 01:02:39

On this episode of the podcast, our guest began running after a health scare and a chronic Lyme disease diagnosis that left her with ongoing leg tingling and nervous system disconnect. Britney shares how she moved from treadmill walk-runs and insecurity about being seen running to embracing the trail community, volunteering with Ontario’s Start to Finish program supporting at-risk kids through running and reading, and rapidly progressing to 50Ks and timed events.

The conversation centers on learning when to push mentally versus when to stop for injury, including her knee pain that altered training and goals. Britney discusses preparing for her first backyard ultra (Bush Bitches Backyard Ultra), her strategy for 50-minute loops, nutrition plans, and lessons from the Tally in the Valley 24-hour event and Sulphur Springs 50K.Join us and don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start listening, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe.

Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.

Connect with Britney on IG: @brritneyb

Connect with us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@blueprint_to_ultra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for a coach?

Work with Jeff: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jwultrarunning.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Work with Steve: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/

Episode 50: JJ Goodrich - In pursuit of setting a course record at Summit 200, getting into Bigs, and on the US 24 hour team.

Episode 50

Friday, September 4, 2026 • Duration 01:10:42

JJ Goodrich sets goals. Big goals.

JJ is a UESCA-certified ultra-running coach and ultrarunner, who has raced distances from 50K to 200 miles, timed events, and backyard ultras. The conversation centers on the Summit 200—an alpine, high-altitude 200-miler in Colorado—which JJ says changed him long before race day by pushing him to improve mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

JJ recounts his 2025 Summit 200 finish (about 90 hours) as a “recon” effort and explains his 2027 plan to chase the 61:42 course record by cutting sleep, minimizing aid-station time, using crew and pacers, and applying segment-by-segment strategy. He also discusses training approaches (strength work, altitude prep, nose breathing, run/walk intervals), his entry into ultras after his father’s death, and joins us for coaches' corner to answer a question on practicing race-morning nutrition for evening trainers

Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.

Connect with JJ on IG: @running_chowhound

Connect with JJ on Strava

Connect with us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@blueprint_to_ultra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for a coach?

Work with Jeff: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jwultrarunning.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode 49: Bryan Botma - From 11 NYC Marathons to a First 100-Miler. Discipline, Bonks, and the Tahoe Rim Trail

Episode 49

Friday, August 21, 2026 • Duration 01:10:36

We are joined by Bryan Botma, a former basketball player turned runner who is preparing for his 11th New York City Marathon and recently finished his first 100-miler at the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Run (25:03, 8th).

Bryan explains why NYC is meaningful to him, including running it with his mom before she later died of cancer, and shares how to get into the race and his goal to become a 15-time “legacy” runner. He describes returning to trails during COVID, running Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim attempts, and choosing ultras for their uncertainty.

Bryan breaks down Tahoe’s logistics, altitude, heat/cold swings, what went well (training, heat management, no foot issues, nutrition early), what caused his bonk (delayed switch to solid food, hiccups), and how his pacer helped him recover with broth and quesadillas. He also discusses post-race recovery, trail community culture, and plans to run Canyons 100.

Connect with Bryan on YouTube

Connect with Bryan on Strava

Connect with us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@blueprint_to_ultra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode 48: Dawn Gwin - Would you sign up for a 100 mile race 5 days in advance?

Episode 48

Friday, August 7, 2026 • Duration 01:09:54

Today's guest was recommended to us by one of you! A listener sent in a recommendation for us to interview Dawn Gwin because he admired her toughness and positivity that he saw during the Cowboy 200.

On the show, Dawn talks about how she got back into running ultras later in life because the shorter races left her unsatisfied. We talk about practicing to calm the mind before the race, supporting one anothe during a race, her training with Zach Bitter. Race wise, we dig into the Honey Badger 100 held in Kansas, in July, so yes a hot one, and race that Dawn signed up for 5 days in advance - proving once again to us that we are capable of so much more than our limits tell us.

Join us and don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start , because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.Connect with Dawn: @coloradorunner60

Looking for a coach?

Work with Jeff: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jwultrarunning.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Work with Steve: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/

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Episode 47: Nathaniel Burness - A masterclass in how to cut time in races.

Episode 47

Friday, July 24, 2026 • Duration 01:12:21

Nathaniel ran his first marathon as a sophmore in HS with a time of 4:07. He then ran that same marathon year later in 3:07. To top that, he ran his first 50.miler at 18 in a time of 8:41 and then returned one year later and set the course record dropping over 2 hours with a time of 6:17. How? That's what we wanted to know. Join us as we pick the mind of a young Jedi on how he has learned practical fueling strategies, consistency-focused training philosophies, burnout prevention, the Hell Hole 50 miler, and Beast of the East 50 mile course records.Before you hit play, don't forget to hit subscribe and give us a like, before you forget.Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.Connect with Nathaniel on Strava.https://www.strava.com/athletes/93122943

Connect with us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@blueprint_to_ultra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for a coach?

Work with Jeff: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jwultrarunning.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Work with Steve: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/

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Episode 46: Alex Minor - Rabid Raccoon Course Record, Black Canyon Lessons, and What It Takes to Run Up Front

Episode 43

Friday, July 10, 2026 • Duration 59:16

In this episode of the Blueprint to Ultra podcast, Steve and Jeff interview Appalachian trail standout Alex Minor, winner of races like the Hurricane 100K and holder of the Rabid Raccoon 100 Mile course record (15:42:57). Alex shares how he transitioned from road/track running at Marshall into trail ultras during COVID, influenced by training partners like Caleb Bowen and Dan Green. We discuss why the Hurricane 100K looped format and community keep him coming back, and Alex explains how Black Canyon 100K became his lowest—and most educational—race, teaching him to prepare for terrain, build smarter race plans, and dial in fueling. We talk about getting a sodium sweat test, increasing sodium and carbs, and how he balances training (typically 60–80 miles, ~11 hours with vert) while running a shoe store and managing life commitments.Join us and don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start watching, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.
Connect with Alex on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alminor3

Check out Country Roads Running and Walking on IG:

@countryroadsrunning

Shop: https://countryroadsrunning.com/

Connect with us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@blueprint_to_ultra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for a coach?

Work with Jeff: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jwultrarunning.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Work with Steve:

Episode 45: James Bragg - You have one shot at the race you were training for in a given year.

Episode 45

Friday, June 26, 2026 • Duration 01:21:42

Training for an ultra takes a long time and a lot of hard work. We show up for a race and things don't always go to plan. On the show we talk with James Bragg about how we can practice a positive mental attitude, how negativity spreads, and how you can snap out of a downward spiral. As James reminds us, we have one shot at a race. You train for a specific race on a calendar year and that race, in that year, will never happen again. Sure, you can run it again next year, but for this year, the one you trained for, there is one shot. We talk about all of that and dig into the Hellbender 100, Rim to River, and a coaches' corner on how to manage race week and the stupid taper. Join us and don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start watching, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.

Connect with James on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@jamesb__runnin

Connect with us on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@blueprint_to_ultra⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for a coach?

Work with Jeff: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jwultrarunning.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Work with Steve: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.socalrunnercoaching.com/

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Episode 44: Mandy Wainfan - Injured? Whatever you do, just don't tell me I can't run.

Episode 44

Friday, June 12, 2026 • Duration 01:28:36

On today's show, we welcome Dr. Mandy Wainfan, a sports-focused chiropractor and endurance running specialist at Performance Place Sports Care, to discuss common running injuries and how to treat and prevent them. Mandy shares how she transitioned from NCAA track and cross country into trail running and ultras, including racing Black Canyon and completing two 50Ks and a 100K.

The conversation covers plantar fasciitis (including true vs nerve-mediated “fake” cases), IT band syndrome, patellar tendinopathy, low back pain, and Achilles tendinitis, with emphasis on load management, hip internal rotation mobility, and strength training. We also discuss when it’s appropriate to keep running, when to seek professional help (especially if symptoms persist beyond 4–6 weeks), and why runners might choose a sports chiropractor versus a PT.Join us and don't forget to hit subscribe and like. You know, you could subscribe before you even start watching, because if you have read this far, well, we are friends now. So yeah, give us a like and subscribe. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We would love to hear from you.Connect with Mandy

IG: @p2sportscare

⁠⁠Website: ⁠https://www.p2sportscare.com/ ⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Performance-Place-chiropractor⁠

Looking for a coach?

Work with Jeff:

Blueprint to Ultra – Details, episodes & analysis

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Blueprint to Ultra – Details, episodes & analysis

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