Explore every episode of the podcast The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset

Megan Smyth joins Jaci Wilson on The One More Hour Podcast for another episode of After the Last Yard, a special series featuring Team USA athletes reflecting on the 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships.

After earning her place on Team USA with a massive 77-yard performance at Banana Slug, Megan headed to Big’s Backyard Ultra ready to see how far she could go. She completed 82 yards, set a new personal best, and became the last woman standing at the World Team Championships, all while helping Team USA secure the team victory.

But for Megan, the experience was about much more than the numbers.

In this conversation, Megan shares what it was like to compete at the legendary Big’s Backyard Ultra, how the team’s willingness to support one another changed the race, and why she believes teamwork helped so many athletes push beyond their previous limits.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Going from a big PR at Summit to a 77-yard performance at Banana Slug and earning a spot on Team USA
• What surprised Megan about the Big’s course, from the technical trails and climbing to the heat and extra fueling demands
• The decision to transition to the road loops earlier and how the team adapted together
• Why teamwork was one of the biggest keys to Team USA’s success, including the legendary “Ron Express” and a full-team lap
• Sleep deprivation, accidental naps, audiobook tricks, and singing to stay awake
• Nutrition strategies that worked, from smoothies and caffeine pills to Megan’s unconventional ham, cheese, and pickle roll-ups
• Why there’s no single perfect strategy for pacing, fueling, or getting sleep in a backyard ultra
• Becoming the last woman standing at 82 yards and why Megan was still disappointed when an ankle tendon injury forced her to stop
• The lessons Megan is taking into future backyard ultras and her upcoming 24-hour race
• What made the Team USA experience so special, and why the team championship meant even more to her than her individual achievement

Megan’s biggest takeaway? You don't have to do it all alone. Whether you're struggling through a night loop or having a great stretch, being willing to ask for help, and offer it to someone else, can make a difference.

Connect with Megan:
Instagram: @runningnutmeg84

 🎙️ After the Last Yard continues with more stories from Team USA and the 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Ron Wireman has been to Big’s Backyard Ultra for both the team and individual championships, but the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships gave him a new perspective on what it means to race for something bigger than yourself.

After battling years of injuries, Ron entered the race as an alternate and worked his way back into shape with a focused training approach. He ultimately completed 42 yards at Big’s, and while the result wasn't what he hoped for, the experience left him more motivated than ever to return.

In this episode of After the Last Yard, Ron takes us behind the scenes of Team USA’s championship experience, sharing the team’s strategy, the controversial course decisions, the challenges of racing through difficult conditions, and the moments that showed just how much athletes can accomplish when they work together.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Coming back from injury: Ron’s history with Achilles tendinitis, hamstring and knee issues, and how he approached training in the months leading up to Big’s.
• The difference between racing for yourself and racing for a team: How Team USA approached the World Championships with a shared strategy and a commitment to helping one another keep going.
• The course controversy: Why Team USA voted to change its course, the decision to run the road loop during daylight, and the practical considerations behind those choices.
• Teamwork over individual performance: Why Ron believes Harvey sacrificed his own race to help teammates and give Team USA the best chance to win.
• Nutrition, setbacks, and lessons learned: What Ron took away from his 42-yard performance and the things he wants to improve before his next backyard ultra.
• Knowing when to push and when to protect your body: How years of injuries have changed Ron’s perspective on the risks of racing through pain.
• What comes next: Why Ron is eager to return to the backyard format, his upcoming goals, and the possibility of racing at Last Soul Ultra.

Ron’s story is a reminder that a race result doesn't tell the whole story. Sometimes the biggest takeaway isn't the number of yards you complete, but what you learn, how you show up for your teammates, and how much more you want to do when it's over.

Follow Ron Wireman:
Instagram: @wired_ron
Follow Big Miles, Ron’s cat, on Instagram: @LazCatStanding

The Road to Bigs, After the Last Yard, continues with more Team USA athlete post-race interviews!

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Welcome to the post-race edition of The Road to Bigs, After the Last Yard, a special series for the Backyard Ultra Team World Championships, where I sit down with members of Team USA to talk about their experience, the highs, the lows, the lessons learned, and what comes next.

Nick Steel ran 94 yards (391+ miles) at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships, helping Team USA secure the team victory. But his experience at Big's was about much more than the distance.

In this post-race conversation, Nick shares the behind-the-scenes stories we didn't get to see on the livestream, from howling at coyotes and playing Minecraft during the early yards to the sleep deprivation, struggles, and teamwork that defined the race.

We talk about:

• The power of teamwork: Helping Greg through a difficult yard, lending Scott a knee band, and how John and Levi helped Nick when sleep deprivation nearly took him out.
• The moment that changed everything: Nick was ready to quit during yard 94, but hearing Ava encourage him helped him get back up and finish the yard.
• Sleep and recovery: How a few minutes of sleep completely changed his mental state and what he'll do differently in future backyard ultras.
• The course and race rules: Nick's thoughts on the technical trail loop, the road loop, and the confusion surrounding communication, crew, and social media rules.
• The lessons from Team Champs: How running 94 yards changed his perspective on what he's capable of and why helping others can be just as important as your own performance.
• What's next: Nick's goal of completing 301 100-mile races in 2026, his plans for 2027, and his hope to return to the world championships.

Nick also reflects on finding joy in running, the importance of living in the moment instead of constantly comparing yourself to your past performances, and why he believes every runner is capable of more than they think.

🎙️ Follow Nick Steel:
Instagram: @nicksteelruns
YouTube: @NicholasSteelEndurance
Facebook
Strava 

The Road to Bigs, After the Last Yard, continues with more Team USA athlete post-race interviews!

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

What can the world's best backyard ultra runners teach you about your next race?

The 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships featured (it's still going at the time of this recording!!!) athletes pushing beyond 100 hours, running through multiple nights, and discovering just how far they could go. But you don't have to run 100 yards to learn from the best.

This episode breaks down 10 lessons from the Backyard Ultra Team World Championships that you can apply to your own backyard ultra, whether you're chasing your first 24 hours, trying to break through a plateau, wanting to run 70 yards, or looking to push your personal best even further.

You'll learn why you should:

• Get off your feet early and make recovery a habit from the very first lap.
• Close your eyes, even if you can't sleep, to give your brain a break from constant stimulation.
• Have a variety of fueling options to combat palate fatigue and keep eating when your favorite foods stop sounding appealing.
• Prepare your crew to reduce your mental load, solve problems, and help you execute your race plan.
• Run boring, repeatable laps instead of wasting energy trying to bank time early.
• Protect your buffer and manage your time between laps so the clock doesn't end your race.
• Expect to suffer and learn how to navigate the low moments without assuming your race is over.
• Plan beyond yard 24 instead of allowing the 24-hour mark to become an automatic stopping point.
• Give and accept help because you don't have to navigate every low alone.
• Recognize that your personal best isn't your ceiling. Your past performance is information, not a limit on what's possible next.

The biggest takeaway? You don't need to be a world-class athlete to apply world-class principles. Small decisions around pacing, fueling, recovery, crew support, and mindset can make a meaningful difference in how far you go.

Ready to build your backyard ultra strategy?

Join Jaci's free workshop (recording available), You Know How to Run, But Do You Know How to Backyard? Learn how to approach pacing, fueling, mindset, crew, race-day logistics, and execution so you can prepare to go farther than ever before.

Keep learning. Keep experimenting. And remember: you don't have to figure out the entire race right now. You just have to figure out the next hour.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

The World Backyard Ultra Team Championships kick off October 17, and Team USA is heading to Big’s Backyard in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, to take on the best backyard ultra runners in the world around the world.

In this episode, Jaci breaks down five key factors she’ll be watching as the race unfolds, from pacing restraint and fueling decisions to sleep strategies, team dynamics, and the importance of depth over individual performances. With every yard contributing to the team’s overall result, the question isn’t just who can go the farthest, but how many athletes can keep going when the race gets hard.

Can Team USA put multiple runners over 100 yards? Who will adapt when their plans fall apart? And how will teammates balance individual race strategies with the shared goal of helping the team go as far as possible?

Jaci also explores why the strongest-looking runners early aren’t necessarily the ones who last, why patience is a competitive advantage, and what we can learn by watching the best backyard ultra athletes in the world tackle new challenges.

Whether you're a backyard ultra runner, a fan of the sport, or following Team USA on the road to the World Championships, this episode will help you watch the race with a deeper understanding of the strategy, decision-making, and mental resilience that make backyard ultras so fascinating.

🎧 Catch up on The Road to Big’s, the special series featuring pre-race interviews with members of Team USA.

📺 Follow the Backyard Ultra World Championships live on YouTube starting October 17, and watch the lessons unfold one yard at a time.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Welcome to The Road to Big’s, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships.

Jennifer Russo is heading back to Big’s for her sixth consecutive year. With more than a dozen backyard ultras under her belt, a resume packed with 100- and 200-mile races, and a 2023 performance that made her the first woman to run 300 miles in the backyard format, Jennifer has been a major part of the growth of women’s participation in the sport.

In this episode, Jennifer and Jaci talk about:

• What keeps bringing her back to Big’s year after year
• The unique dynamic of a Team USA year and this year’s mix of veterans and newcomers
• Why she’s especially excited to see three women on Team USA
• The challenges of the Big’s course, especially the cold nights and the third day
• Her strategy for conserving energy and hanging farther back this year
• Why she tries not to know what yard she’s on
• What she’s learned from 100- and 200-mile races and what the backyard has taught her in return
• Her experience becoming the first woman to reach 300 miles in a backyard ultra
• The importance of not comparing your race to what everyone else is doing
• What she hopes to learn about herself at this year’s Team Championships
• The grit she believes she brings to Team USA
• Why she wants to run with gratitude and give everything she has

Jennifer also shares her prediction for Team USA and why she thinks it’s time for a woman to break 100 yards.

The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big’s course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

The Road to Big’s continues with more Team USA athlete interviews leading into race day, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Welcome to The Road to Big’s, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships.

Jon Noll is heading back to Big’s for his sixth consecutive year, after setting the all-American record last year with 111 hours and 462.5 miles.

In this episode, Jon and Jaci talk about:

• Why Big’s has been his primary racing focus for the past five years
• Why he prefers the team years and the camaraderie they create
• What makes this Team USA squad so exciting
• How his training and approach have evolved over the years
• His biggest change in sleep strategy: stop stressing about sleep and rest whenever you can
• Running through the night with Harvey Lewis and the power of having someone beside you
• What went wrong during night five last year and how that experience is shaping this year’s plan
• His “one hour at a time” approach to an event that could last 100+ hours
• Ham and cheese sandwiches, oatmeal, caffeine, and fueling late in the race
• Why knowing the Big’s course so well can be an advantage
• The role he hopes to play in helping his teammates through the day loops
• His prediction for Team USA and why he thinks three or four Americans could reach 100 hours
• And the one thing that matters most to Jon: pushing all the way to his limit

Follow Jon:
Strava
Instagram @jonnoll
Facebook

The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big’s course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

The Road to Big’s continues with more Team USA athlete interviews leading into race day, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

What actually happens in your brain when you're 20, 40, or 60 hours into a backyard ultra and suddenly everything feels harder than it should?

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, I'm joined by Sarah Strong, aka The Trail Therapist, a licensed clinical social worker, certified ultrarunning coach, and ultrarunner who specializes in the mental side of performance.

We talk about what happens when your brain starts telling you, "I can't do this anymore," and how to respond without automatically believing every thought that shows up.

Sarah breaks down mindfulness, anxiety, fear, negative thoughts, nighttime hypervigilance, and the tendency to start negotiating with yourself deep into an ultra. We also talk about why trying to argue logically with yourself often doesn't work when you're highly activated and what you can do instead.

You'll hear practical strategies for:

• Staying present instead of thinking 12 hours ahead
• Recognizing when your brain is spiraling
• Shifting your attention out of your head and into your body or environment
• Handling the heightened anxiety and fear that can come with running at night
• Preparing for the "defense attorney" in your brain that starts building a case for why you should quit
• Using visualization and mantras to make mental skills more automatic
• Helping your crew support you without trying to "fix" your thoughts
• Creating a plan for the predictable mental challenges you're likely to face
• Processing a DNF without turning one race into a judgment about who you are as a runner

Sarah also shares specific tools runners can practice in training, including body scans, mindful check-ins, chunking, environmental awareness, counting, breathing, visualization, and her "SNACK" approach to getting out of a spiral.

One of my biggest takeaways from this conversation: the goal isn't to get rid of difficult thoughts or feelings. It's to notice them, create some space from them, regulate your body, and then decide what to do next.

Because your brain is going to be there for every mile your legs are there for. It deserves some training, too.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Welcome to The Road to Big’s, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships.

Scott Snell is no stranger to Big’s. He has competed at the event multiple times, including on Team USA, and this year he’s heading back with a mindset shaped by those past experiences and a renewed appreciation for what makes the team format so special.

Scott and Jaci talk about:

•  What keeps bringing him back to Big’s year after year 
• Why he actually prefers the team years to the individual World Championships 
•  How his mindset changed between the 2022 and 2024 team events 
•  The power of having teammates beside you when the race gets hard 
•  The difference between racing for your own performance and running every yard as a point for Team USA 
•  How he balances high hopes and big goals with realistic expectations 
•  A memorable sleep-deprived moment from the 2024 race involving Scott, Cody, and some very enthusiastic “USA!” chants 
• And the mindset Scott hopes to carry through four days and four nights: focus on the process, not the ending

Scott also shares his prediction for Team USA, and it's a big one. 👀

The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big’s course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

Follow Scott on Instagram: @beastcoasttrailrunning

Use code SCOTT10 for 10% off at Mount Coast.

The Road to Big’s continues with more Team USA athlete interviews leading into the World Championships, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Welcome to The Road to Big's, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships.

In this episode, Jaci sits down with Scott Martin, an ultrarunner with more than 120 races on UltraSignup and a recent 78-yard backyard PR at Banana Slug, where he covered 325 miles.

Scott earned a spot on Team USA two years ago but was unable to compete because of injury. Now he's back and heading to Big's with a much bigger question in mind: How far can he go?

Scott and Jaci talk about:

•  What it means to finally get his shot at Big's after missing out two years ago 
•  Representing Team USA and the unique dynamic of competing as part of a team 
•  What he learned from his 78-yard performance at Banana Slug 
•  Why he believes the key to a backyard is simply starting the next loop
•  The mental challenge of watching other runners and assuming they're doing better than you 
•  His goal of experiencing a fourth night of backyard running 
•  Why the difficult parts of the race can actually become easier the longer he goes 
• And what it would mean to Scott to truly find his limit, even if he isn't the last runner standing 

Scott also shares the fascinating story behind how his diagnosis with ankylosing spondylitis changed his relationship with running and ultimately helped shape the consistent, high-volume runner he is today.

The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big's course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

Follow Scott:
Instagram @cavemanrunmts
Strava
Facebook

Scott's sponsers:
Evolution Healthcare & Fitness
Speedland
Squirrel's Nut Butter
Work Epic

Follow The One More Hour Podcast for more The Road to Big's interviews with Team USA leading into the World Championships, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

🎉 The One More Hour Podcast is ONE!

One year ago, I hit publish on an idea I'd been sitting on for more than a year. I was scared, overthinking the technical details, trying to figure everything out before I started, and ultimately learning that sometimes you just have to stop waiting until you're ready and take the next step.

In this one-year anniversary episode, I'm looking back at Year One of The One More Hour Podcast: 54 episodes, 26 guests, and a whole lot of conversations about backyard ultras, ultrarunning, and the mindset of going one more.

I'll highlight some of the most popular episodes and biggest topics we've covered, including nutrition, pacing, camp setup, crewing, foot care, goal setting, race strategy, mindset, and backyard simulations.

Then we'll look ahead to Year Two, including exclusive pre- and post-race interviews with Team USA around the Backyard Ultra World Championships, conversations with sleep experts, physical therapists, sports psychology experts, and runners from around the world.

Plus, I'm sharing details about the upcoming Backyard Battle Plan webinar and a one-year anniversary giveaway: a FREE 45-minute backyard ultra coaching consultation. 🎁Put your name in the hat for the giveaway here.

Rules to win:

1. Follow @theonemorehourpodcast on Instagram.
2. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
3. Fill out the giveaway submission here.

Thank you for listening, sharing, sending questions, coming up to me at races, and being part of this first year. Here's to another year of great guests, learning, stats, backyard ultra conversations, and going one more.

I'll see you in the next hour.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

What if the hard part of your run isn't actually the problem?

This episode of The One More Hour Podcast talks about one of the strangest contradictions in endurance sports: we spend months preparing ourselves for discomfort, and then act surprised when discomfort actually shows up.

“This is supposed to be hard” doesn't mean you should ignore pain, injury, or warning signs. It means that difficult, uncomfortable, exhausting moments are a normal part of asking your body and mind to do something challenging. Hard doesn't automatically mean bad. Tired doesn't automatically mean unprepared. And struggling doesn't automatically mean you need to quit.

Jaci breaks down the difference between a physical sensation and the story your brain creates around that sensation, drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). When you're exhausted, “my legs are heavy” can quickly become “I'm cooked,” “my race is over,” or “I can't do this.” Learning to notice those thoughts without automatically obeying them can change the way you respond to difficult moments.

You'll also hear why Jaci intentionally wants athletes to experience imperfect training, how to practice problem-solving before race day, why preparation doesn't eliminate uncertainty, and how to tell the difference between “I don't want to feel this anymore” and “I cannot continue.”

Whether you're struggling through a long run, questioning your training, or sitting at 2 a.m. in the middle of a backyard ultra wondering why you ever signed up for this, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to make the discomfort disappear.

You just have to decide what comes next.

One step. One mile. One yard. One decision.

This is hard, and I'm still here.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

You can have the mileage, the strength, the aerobic base, and the ultra experience, and still have a terrible backyard ultra if you pace it poorly.

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, we’re talking all about backyard ultra pacing and why fitness alone isn’t enough. The goal of a backyard isn't to see how fast you can run 4.167 miles. It's to find an effort you can repeat over and over again for an unknown amount of time.

We’ll talk about:

• Why the first few yards can be the most dangerous because they feel so easy
• Why pace and effort are not the same thing, especially on trails
• How walking can help you conserve energy and go further
• Why trying to bank extra time at camp can actually cost you later
• How to think about your time at camp without treating a specific number as a rule
• Why going from 10 minutes back at camp to 8 minutes doesn't automatically mean you're failing
• The small pacing decisions that quietly add up: urging, hammering hills, bombing downhills, chasing other runners, and running faster because you're bored
• How to use heart rate as information without letting your watch dictate your race
• Why your pacing strategy needs to account for the course, weather, terrain, fitness, crew, fueling, and your individual needs
• How crew can remove friction and allow you to spend less energy on the course
• Why faster runners can actually make some of the biggest pacing mistakes
• How to practice your pacing through backyard simulations and course-specific training
• What to do when your loop times start getting slower
• Why seven minutes back at camp is data, not a prediction
• How to adjust your strategy without panicking when the race doesn't feel the way you expected

Most importantly, we'll talk about the difference between having the fitness to go far and actually knowing how to use that fitness.

Your training plan can build the capacity. Pacing determines how much of that capacity you actually get to use.

Don't pace for the yard you're running. Pace for the race you're trying to finish.

One yard at a time. One hour at a time. One decision at a time.

If you want help developing an individualized backyard ultra strategy, pacing plan, or race-day approach, reach out to Jaci about The Backyard Ultra Battle Plan or one-on-one coaching.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Your expectations are not reality.

Have you ever trained for a race, prepared for every possible detail, and then found yourself struggling because race day didn't feel anything like you expected?

This episode of The One More Hour Podcast explores the gap between expectations and reality, and why that gap can derail runners faster than physical discomfort itself.

From 50Ks to backyard ultras, we spend months preparing our bodies, practicing nutrition, planning pacing, and imagining how race day will unfold. But expectations are predictions, not promises. When reality doesn't match the picture in our heads, disappointment can quickly turn into doubt, panic, or the decision to quit.

This episode breaks down how to recognize when you're arguing with reality instead of responding to it, how to separate disappointment from danger, and why problem-solving is one of the most valuable skills an endurance athlete can develop.

You'll learn why managing expectations doesn't mean lowering your goals, how to build flexibility into your race strategy, and how to shift from emotionally driven questions to useful ones that keep you moving forward.

The race you imagined before the starting line was a prediction. The race you're experiencing now is information.

Sometimes, the most important thing you can do is stop trying to make reality match your expectations and start working with what's actually in front of you.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Your brain doesn't usually tell you to quit. It tells you to be reasonable.

After hours of running, fatigue, discomfort, uncertainty, and doubt can cause your mind to start building a convincing case for why stopping is the logical thing to do. You've already exceeded your goal. You have work Monday. You're worried about getting injured. You can always come back next year.

Suddenly, quitting doesn't feel like quitting anymore. It feels like the smart decision.

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, we takes a deeper look at the backyard ultra exit narrative. Aka the moment your brain starts looking for an out, and the psychology behind why these thoughts can become so believable during an ultra.

You'll learn:

• Why your brain starts searching for relief when faced with prolonged discomfort and uncertainty
• The difference between having a thought and treating that thought like a fact
• How cognitive fusion can cause runners to become hooked by thoughts like "I can't do this" or "I need to quit"
• Practical cognitive defusion techniques, including "I'm having the thought that..." and "Thanks, brain"
• How to recognize and name your recurring exit narratives before they take over
• Stories from her first backyard ultra and how she unknowingly built a logical case for her own exit
• The coyote story from her second backyard and what it taught her about the brain's ability to create an out
• The identity trap: when success becomes permission to stop
• How to establish predetermined stopping criteria so you aren't making important decisions in your most fatigued state
• Why your crew can either help you stay grounded or accidentally add evidence to the lawyer's case
• How to practice cognitive defusion and psychological flexibility in everyday life and during training

The goal isn't to eliminate negative thoughts, fear, doubt, or discomfort. Those things are part of being human and part of ultra running.

The goal is to create enough space between you and your thoughts that you can choose your response instead of automatically obeying the story your brain is telling you.

Because your thoughts aren't commands.

They're thoughts.

And sometimes, all you need to do is recognize the Lawyer, say "Thanks, brain," and decide what to do next.

One more yard. One more hour.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

What does it take to keep going when the race stops being about miles and becomes a battle between your mind and your body?

Levi Yoder knows a thing or two about that.

Levi went from starting his running journey in 2019 to completing his first 100-miler in 2022 and then winning his first backyard ultra and earning a spot at Big’s Backyard Ultra. Since then, he has competed at Big’s three times, including the 2022 World Team Championship, the 2023 Individual Championship, and the 2024 World Team Championship, where he reached an incredible 75 yards and more than 312 miles.

In this episode, Levi takes us inside those three world stage experiences and shares how his approach has evolved, from being completely underprepared for his first backyard to learning how to pace himself, manage the mental highs and lows, fuel, sleep, communicate with his crew, and conserve energy for the long haul.

We talk about:

• How Levi went from a new runner to a 300+ mile backyard ultra athlete
• The biggest lessons he learned from his first backyard
• How his experiences at Big’s Backyard Ultra changed from 2022 to 2024
• Why confidence can sometimes become a liability in a backyard
• Learning to expect the low points and knowing they will pass
• His strategy for caffeine, naps, and sleep during multi-day races
• Why remaining emotionally neutral can be such a powerful skill
• How he uses discomfort in everyday life to prepare mentally for the backyard
• The importance of having a crew who knows you and can make decisions when you're exhausted
• Why his wife and crew are such an important part of his success
• His 2024 Big’s experience and what ultimately took him out at 75 yards
• How he balances pushing his limits with knowing when it's time to stop
• Why he believes there may always be another level to reach

And perhaps most importantly, Levi shares what he believes now that he didn't believe when he started running backyards:

You might be capable of far more than you think you are.

Whether you're training for your first backyard ultra or wondering what it takes to go 100, 200, or 300+ miles, there are plenty of lessons in this conversation you can take into your next race.

Find Levi on Instagram at @way_co_ultra_runner and on Facebook and Strava as Levi Yoder.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

What does it actually take to crew a Backyard Ultra?

Your runner has spent months preparing for the race. But what about the people sitting at camp?

A great backyard ultra crew doesn't just hand out bottles and cheer when their runner comes through. They're the runner's second brain: managing logistics, protecting their energy, thinking ahead, solving problems, and helping them make good decisions when fatigue starts to take over.

This episode is a complete Backyard Ultra Crewing 101 guide, created specifically for runners to send to their crew before race day.

We start with the basics: what a backyard ultra is, how the format works, what the runner can and can't do during the hour, and why pacing and camp time matter. From there, we get into what makes a great crew and how to create an organized, calm camp where your runner can reset every hour.

You'll learn about:

•  Camp organization and why everything needs a home 
•  Why your crew is your second brain
•  What your runner needs to communicate to the crew before race day 
•  Understanding your runner's minimum, realistic, and stretch goals 
•  Nutrition, hydration, electrolytes, and sticking to the plan 
•  Creating contingency plans when your runner stops wanting their usual food 
•  Shoes, socks, blisters, chafing, clothing, and preventative care 
•  How to communicate with a tired runner without creating more decision fatigue 
•  Why "How are you feeling?" may not be the best question to ask 
•  How to give your runner simple choices and reduce the number of decisions they have to make 
•  Why you shouldn't let your runner make a major decision while sitting in the chair 
•  How to prepare for the next yard before your runner even gets back to camp 
•  What changes when the race goes from hours into multiple nights 
•  How to adapt when weather, nutrition, sleep, feet, or fatigue don't go according to plan 
•  Problem-solving instead of panicking 
•  Why your crew's emotional state can affect your runner 
•  Why crew members need to eat, hydrate, rest, and take care of themselves, too 
•  How the crew's role changes when the goal is 10 yards versus 50, 100, 200+ miles 

And perhaps most importantly, we talk about the relationship between the runner and the crew: the runner is responsible for running 4.167 miles every hour and the crew runs the camp.

The goal isn't for the crew to take control of the race. It's to remove as much unnecessary physical and mental work from the runner as possible so they can focus on the only thing they need to do:

One more yard. One more hour.

If you're running your first backyard ultra, send this episode to your crew. Then sit down together and talk through your goals, pacing, nutrition, gear, communication, and what you need from each other before race day.

And if you're the person who has been asked to crew a backyard ultra for the first time, thank you. Your runner chose you because they trust you!

You don't have to know everything about ultrarunning, you just need to care enough to prepare, because in a backyard ultra, one more hour is almost never earned alone. It's a team sport. You can't go far alone!

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

What does it take to go from a 27-yard backyard ultra runner to consistently running 60+ yards and still believe you have more to learn?

In this episode of the One More Hour Podcast, I’m joined by Dave Kwiatkowski, one of the most intriguing young athletes in the backyard ultra world. Dave has built his success through a process of experimentation, problem-solving, and learning from every race.

We talk about how his approach has evolved since his first backyard ultra, the mistakes that have shaped his training, and why he believes every runner is an “experiment of one.” Dave shares how he trains his quads and glutes, why uphill hiking and stair repeats have become staples, and how he balances running by feel with the data he does pay attention to.

We also get into the less glamorous, and often overlooked parts of going deep in a backyard: electrolyte balance, bathroom breaks, sleep deprivation, caffeine, and what happens when your brain starts seeing basketballs and treehouses that aren't actually there.

Dave also shares his philosophy on crew, including why he believes the crew camp should be designed primarily for the crew, and how running with other athletes has helped him push through those moments when he wants to quit.

And we talk about Big's Backyard Ultra, what makes Laz's backyard so special, where Dave thinks the backyard format could go in the future, and his new project, Yard Lore, a backyard-ultra data hub designed to bring athlete and race history together in one place.

If you're fascinated by the process of getting better, not just the final result, this episode is for you.

Show links:
Dave's website and blog
Dave's Instagram @davekwiatkowski
Yardlore
Andy's Backyard on October 24, 2026 (Dave's dad's race)
Big's Backyard Ultra

In this episode:

• Dave's unconventional introduction to ultra running
• The story behind his first 27-yard backyard
• How he's progressed to multiple 60+ yard performances
• Learning from failure and turning every race into an experiment
• Training for the physical demands of multi-day backyards
• Sleep, caffeine, and hallucinations
• Electrolytes and the surprisingly important problem of bathroom breaks
• Building an effective crew camp
• Why running with other athletes can be the difference between quitting and continuing
• Dave's experiences at Big's Backyard Ultra
• The future of backyard ultras
• The story behind Yardlore and its unique “Lore Score”

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Backyard ultras are rarely won because someone is the fastest or strongest runner. More often, they’re won by the runner who can manage their mind when the race gets long, uncomfortable, and uncertain.

This episode of the One More Hour Podcast, breaks down 5 mental traps that can derail a backyard ultra and what to do when you recognize them happening in real time.

You’ll learn about:

1. Time Traveling: Looking too far ahead and becoming overwhelmed by the hours, miles, darkness, or discomfort still to come. Learn how to use micro-anchoring to stay focused on the loop you’re actually running.
2. Running Their Race: Comparing yourself to runners who appear stronger, faster, or more comfortable. Learn why appearances lie and why focusing on someone else's race can cost you your own.
3. The False Alarm: When your brain interprets normal ultra-running discomfort as danger. Fatigue, stiffness, blisters, GI issues, fear, and the inevitable highs and lows of an ultra, and how to stop catastrophizing a bad loop.
4. Borrowing From Tomorrow: The early-race comfort lie that convinces you to skip fueling, hydration, or body care because you feel great. Backyards reward systems, routines, and athletes who stay ahead of problems rather than waiting for them to appear.
5. The Lawyer: When your brain becomes a defense attorney and starts building a convincing case for why it’s reasonable to quit. Your brain rarely says "quit, "it says "be reasonable."

Jaci also dives into the Identity Trap, where success becomes permission to stop, and explains why even experienced backyard runners and eventual winners can fall into these mental patterns.

The goal isn't to eliminate negative thoughts, discomfort, fear, or doubt. Those things are going to show up. The goal is to recognize them sooner, understand what your brain is doing, and have the tools to respond without letting a temporary low become the end of your race.

The winner isn't necessarily the runner who never has these thoughts. It's the runner who doesn't give them power.

One more yard. Then another. Then another. Until everyone else has stopped.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

What does it really take to crew an ultrarunner through a backyard ultra?

In this episode of the One More Hour Podcast, I’m joined by Veronica Pardo, a runner, chiropractor, and the wife of Nick Petterson, who you may remember from Episode 16 after his run at Summit Backyard Ultra.

Since then, Nick has gone on to win Ode to Laz, earning a Silver Ticket, and will represent Team USA at Big’s Backyard Ultra this October. Veronica has been there crewing him through both races, giving her a unique perspective on what happens on the other side of the course.

We talk about what a crew member actually does between loops, how to recognize when your runner is struggling, how to balance encouragement with pressure, and why knowing your runner is so important when the race gets deep.

Veronica also shares what she learned from participating in a 100-hour timed event herself, including some eye-opening lessons about nutrition, how strong the body really is, and how to get through the messy middle when there’s still a LOT of time left on the clock.

We also dive into:

• How runners can better prepare and communicate with their crew before race day
• Why crew members need to take care of themselves, too
• How to keep camp organized and efficient as the hours add up
• The emotional side of watching someone you love suffer for days
• How Veronica and Nick balance their running goals with their life together
• What changed between Nick’s Summit and Ode to Laz races
• What Veronica is most looking forward to, and nervous about, as Nick heads to Big’s
• Why runners shouldn’t feel guilty about asking someone to crew for them

Whether you’re an ultrarunner preparing for your next big race, someone who has been asked to crew, or a spouse or family member trying to understand this crazy sport, this episode will give you a look at the race that happens behind the runner.

Ultras are rarely a solo effort. Sometimes, going one more hour takes a whole team.

Follow Veronica on Instagram @drveronicapardo and Strava.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

A backyard ultra simulation should be much more than an overnight long run.

In this episode of the One More Hour Podcast, we break down how to use a backyard simulation as a skills test, not a fitness test. The goal isn't to see how many yards you can complete. It's to collect data, create problems, practice solving them, and eliminate as many unknowns as possible before race day.

We dive into:

• How to practice backyard-specific pacing and conserve energy early
• Why the fastest runner on the course early in the race may not be the one who goes the furthest
• How to practice shorter camp turnarounds without panicking
• Creating an efficient, repeatable camp and transition routine
• Nutrition and hydration experiments, including what sounds good at 2 a.m.
• Why foot care should be preventative, not reactive
• Practicing night running when you're already fatigued
• Testing your gear, lighting, clothing, shoes, and entire camp setup
• How to use crew as an extension of your brain
• What to do when your carefully planned strategy inevitably goes wrong
• Why backyard racing rewards runners who can problem-solve quickly
• Questions to ask yourself after a simulation to identify your biggest weaknesses
• How to determine what would stop you first if the simulation kept going

Most importantly, we'll talk about the mindset shift that changes how you approach a simulation:

Your goal isn't to see how fast you can cover 4.167 miles. Your goal is to see how little energy you can spend covering 4.167 miles.

The best backyard runners aren't necessarily the ones who show up with the most fitness. They're the ones who show up with the fewest unanswered questions.

It's time to stop guessing and start practicing.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Can one mile break you?

This week on The One More Hour Podcast, I sit down with trail runner and ultrarunner Audrey Carter to talk about her first experience at Mid-State Mile, one of the most unique and brutally challenging last-person-standing races in the country.

Unlike a traditional Backyard Ultra, runners have just 20 minutes to complete a 1.1-mile loop with 340 feet of elevation gain before heading back out to do it again. Loop after loop after Loop. Until only one runner remains.

Audrey shares what drew her to the infamous "Murder Mile," how she approached a format she'd never raced before, and what she learned about pacing, fueling, mindset, and pushing through the mental darkness that comes when your body wants to quit.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What makes Mid-State Mile so unique
• How Audrey trained for her first last-person-standing race
• Pacing strategies for steep, repetitive climbing
• Fueling mistakes and lessons learned
• The mental battle that begins after the sun goes down
• The importance of community in endurance sports
• Why getting comfortable with being uncomfortable extends far beyond running

Whether you're curious about Mid-State Mile, training for your first Backyard Ultra, or simply looking for inspiration to tackle your own hard challenges, this conversation is full of practical lessons and honest reflections.

Follow Audrey on Instagram: @easttnmotherrunner

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another runner who loves chasing "one more."

One more loop. One more hour. One more chance to discover what you're capable of.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

How do you keep going when your brain is already worrying about miles that haven't happened yet?

In backyard ultras and other endurance races, one of the biggest mental traps isn't physical fatigue. It's looking too far ahead.

At yard 5, you start thinking about running for two days. At mile 17, you're worried about mile 100. Before the sun has even set, you're imagining the second night and convincing yourself you can't possibly keep going.

This episode of The One More Hour Podcast, explores why our brains naturally "borrow suffering from the future," how this creates unnecessary overwhelm, and why the best backyard runners aren't necessarily mentally tougher, they're simply better at staying present.

You'll also learn eight practical ways to train your brain during everyday runs, including:

• Breaking long runs into smaller segments
• Giving yourself one job at a time
• Delaying decisions during low moments
• Practicing mental resets
• Recognizing when you're projecting future suffering
• Training without distractions
• Ending some runs with something left in the tank
• Asking better questions after your long runs

Presence isn't something you magically find on race day. It's a skill you build every time you train.

Because the future version of you will handle the future miles.

Your job right now is simply to handle this one.

One more hour.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

What happens when an experienced ultrarunner steps into a completely new race format?

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, I sit down with fellow Minnesota runner and coach, Wendy Krause, to talk about her first-ever Backyard Ultra at Blacks Grove Backyard Ultra. Although Wendy has years of experience racing trail ultras and 100-milers, the Backyard format challenged her in entirely new ways. From pacing and self-crewing to fueling, staying present, and embracing the unknown, Wendy was curious about what she could learn.

We also dive into what it's like to coach midlife runners, why your best running doesn't have to be behind you, and how curiosity (not chasing numbers) can lead to some of your biggest breakthroughs.

Along the way, we discuss:

• What surprised Wendy most about her first Backyard Ultra
• Self-crewing, pacing, and fueling lessons she'd change next time
• Why staying present one hour at a time is the key to success
• Midlife running, longevity, and overcoming limiting beliefs
• Training and running with her two Vizslas
• Why "stay curious" has become one of her biggest lessons as both an athlete and a coach

Whether you're preparing for your first Backyard Ultra, chasing your next ultramarathon, or simply looking for inspiration to keep growing as a runner, this conversation is full of practical takeaways and encouragement.

Follow Wendy on Instagram @Wendyrunsfree

Follow Wendy's dogs on Instagram @indykodarunsfree

Follow the Heartland Trail Series coming in 2027 (10K•13.1•50K•100K) @heartlandtrailseries 

Wendy's coaching link

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

If you're listening to this episode, chances are you're in the middle of your race and your brain is trying to convince you to quit.

This is a special race-day episode of The One More Hour Podcast, created specifically for runners tackling backyard ultras and last runner standing events. Whether you're sitting in your chair questioning if you should answer the next bell or you're out on the course fighting the clock, this episode is here to help you remember why you started.

Through a mix of calm reassurance, mindset coaching, and high-energy motivation, you'll reconnect with your purpose, trust your training, silence the voice that's looking for an out, and find the courage to keep going one more lap.

When the race gets hard, and it will, press play before you make your decision.

Because your race isn't over until the race says it's over.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

How far should your longest long run be before a backyard ultra?

It’s one of the most common questions runners ask, and in this episode, I explain why it might be the wrong question.

Backyard ultras aren’t won because you survived one massive training run. They’re won because you practiced the skills that allow you to keep showing up every hour: pacing, fueling, problem-solving, sleep management, mental resilience, efficiency, and adaptability.

In this episode, I break down 11 different types of long runs you can use to prepare for your next backyard ultra or last person standing race, including:

• The Confidence Builder Long Run
• The Fueling Experiment Run
• Backyard Ultra Simulation Runs
• Sunset-to-Sunrise Runs
• After-Work Long Runs
• Time-of-Day Challenge Runs
• The Goggins 4x4x48 Challenge
• The Yeti Challenge (5x4x24)
• Adversity Runs
• Curiosity Runs
• The "Drop the Hammer" Run

We’ll talk about what each run teaches, when to use it, and how to determine which experiences you still need before race day.

Because the goal of training isn’t simply to accumulate miles. It’s to accumulate lessons.

By race day, you want to have answered as many questions as possible:

Can I fuel?
Can I stay awake?
Can I handle boredom?
Can I solve problems?
Can I trust myself when things get hard?

The runners who go the farthest aren’t always the ones with the biggest long runs. They’re often the ones with the biggest library of experiences.

If you're training for a backyard ultra, timed event, or last person standing race, this episode will help you build long runs with purpose.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Most runners finish a race and immediately focus on one thing: the result.

How many yards did I get?
How far did I go?
Did I hit my goal?

But what if the most valuable part of your backyard ultra isn't the result, but it's what the race is trying to teach you?

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, I break down how to reflect on your Backyard Ultra in a way that actually helps you improve. We'll talk about why the thing that ended your race may not be the thing you think ended your race, how to identify the real limiting factors in your performance, and how to turn race-day lessons into smarter training.

You'll learn:

• Why Backyard Ultras are one of the best learning environments in endurance sports
• The biggest mistakes runners make when reflecting on a race
• How to identify the difference between symptoms and root causes
• Why studying what worked is just as important as studying what failed
• How to spot energy leaks that quietly sabotage performance
• What the best runners do differently and how to learn from them
• How to use your race reflections to build a better training plan

Whether you ran 10 yards or 100, every Backyard Ultra leaves clues. The runners who improve the fastest aren't always the most talented. They're the ones willing to study those clues honestly.

Your next breakthrough may already be hidden inside your last race.

🎙 Download the free Backyard Ultra Post-Race Reflection Worksheet and start uncovering the lessons from your own races.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

In Part 2 of this two-part series, we explore what happens after the race when the dust settles and a familiar thought starts to creep in: “I think I still had one more loop in me.”

If you've ever finished a backyard ultra, timed event, or endurance race and wondered whether you could have gone farther, this episode is for you.

We discuss:

• why so many runners realize after the race that they may have had more left
• the difference between reaching your physical limit and reaching your willingness to stay uncomfortable
• why ultras are nonlinear and how quickly a low can turn around
• how fear, uncertainty, sleep deprivation, and underfueling influence decision-making
• why the urge to stop is not always trustworthy
• how reflecting on your race can help you go farther next time

Most runners don't stop when their body completely forces them to stop. They stop somewhere between "I absolutely can't" and "I don't want to anymore." Learning the difference is one of the most important skills in endurance racing.

This episode is not about regret. It's about growth.

Realizing you had one more loop in you isn't proof that you failed. It's proof that your limits may be farther away than you thought.

Apply. Adapt. Reflect. Adjust.

That's how one race becomes the foundation for the next breakthrough.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

In Part 1 of this two-part series, we’re talking about the moments during an ultra when your brain starts trying to convince you that you’re done.

Not necessarily physically done, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually done.

If you’ve ever sat in a chair during a backyard ultra convinced there was “no way” you could do another loop, this episode is for you.

We dive into:

• why your brain becomes so convincing during low moments
• the difference between discomfort and true physical limitation
• why runners often quit emotionally before they quit physically
• how psychological flexibility helps runners stay in the race longer
• practical strategies for handling doubt, fear, and overwhelm during ultras

This episode is a reminder that you do not need to feel confident to keep moving forward, and that a temporary low should not always get to make a permanent decision.

Because more often than you think… you’re not actually done yet.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Are you ACTUALLY ready for your backyard ultra? This episode dives into the often overlooked mental, logistical, and emotional readiness required for backyard ultras and timed events.

We discuss the importance of process goals versus only having outcome goals, mental resilience, decision making and handling emotional low points, and strategic preparation to succeed in ultra-distance running.

What questions do you need to ask yourself before training begins to ensure your goals align with your season of life? We cover the thought process needed and how to understand your life support system and training capacity.

Resources:

Episode 14: Goal Setting

Backyard Ultra Preseason Checklist

Process Buy-In Reflection Worksheet

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Backyard ultras require physical fitness, but they are really a test of the mind!

Your brain is designed to keep you safe, not help you perform. You can show up to race day as the fittest runner out there, but your mental game can bring you down the fastest if you haven't practiced it or you've thought "I've got a good mind."

In this episode, Jaci sits down with Neal Palles, a licensed clinical social worker, certified mental performance consultant, ultrarunning coach, and ultrarunner, to break down what’s actually happening in your mind during training and racing.

We dive into the unique mental challenges of backyard ultras, where there’s no defined finish line and every hour presents a new choice: keep going… or stop.

Neal shares how your brain is wired for safety (not performance), why your thoughts get louder when you’re fatigued, and how to work with your mind instead of fighting it.

We also unpack:

• Why you almost always have “one more loop” 
• The benefits of experiential education
• Mental flexibility in ultra runners
• The truth about DNFs (and why they don’t mean what you think) 
• How mental health directly impacts performance
• Why self-compassion is a performance tool that is often overlooked (or more often pushed away)
• Values and how to define them
• How to stay present during races
• A growth mindset versus fear
• Why boredom, pain, and doubt aren’t problems to fix but experiences to navigate 
• A simple mental framework you can train before race day to stay in the race longer 

If you’ve ever felt like your body was capable, but something in your mind held you back, this episode will change how you approach both training and racing.

Follow and learn more about Neal:

https://www.instagram.com/the.trail.mindset/

https://www.instagram.com/nealpalles/

https://coloradopsychotherapyandsport.com/

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Backyard ultras aren’t won with big moments, flashy workouts, or hype. They’re built on the things no one talks about and the things most runners try to avoid.

In this episode, we break down the “unsexy skills” that actually determine how long you last in a backyard ultra or timed event. The quiet, repetitive, often overlooked habits that become everything when the race stretches into hours 18… 24… 30… and beyond.

Because the truth is, backyard ultras don’t reward excitement. They reward consistency, patience, and discipline.

If you’ve ever wondered what really separates the runners who go long from the ones who fade early, this episode is your blueprint.

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why consistency beats “hero workouts” every time
• The real role of strength training in ultra performance and injury prevention
• How (and why) to use walking as a strategic tool, not a fallback
• Why repetition and monotony are skills you need to train
• The role of patience in pacing and long-term success
• How ego sabotages races and what to do instead
• Why buying into the process before race day changes everything

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Ultra running might look like an individual sport, but this episode proves it’s anything but.

Jaci sits down with Ashley, creator of Ultra Widow, to pull back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes at ultra races. From chaotic aid stations to all-night crewing shifts, Ashley shares what it takes to support a runner through the highs, lows, and everything in between.

They dive into the biggest mistakes both runners and crew make, how to actually prepare your crew (hint: it’s more than just handing them a checklist), and why clear communication can make or break your race. Ashley also shares hard-earned lessons from crewing multiple 100-milers—including what happens when nutrition falls apart, plans go sideways, and you have to adapt in real time.

You’ll learn:

• The most common crewing mistakes (and how to avoid them) 
• What runners need to communicate before race day 
• How to support your runner without overwhelming them 
• Why crew needs to take care of themselves, too 
• Practical tips for staying organized, efficient, and adaptable at aid stations 
• The emotional side of crewing—and why it’s so much more than logistics 

Whether you’re a runner, crew member, or new to the ultra world, this episode will change how you think about support, teamwork, and what it really takes to get to the finish line.

Send it to your crew, your runner, or someone stepping into the ultra world for the first time.

How to follow Ashley:

Instagram @ultra.widow

Website

Facebook

TikTok

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

What do you do when life keeps telling you “no”?

For Parker Stinnett, the answer is simple: find another way forward.

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, Parker shares his unconventional path, from being a backup college football kicker, to failing out of BUD/S prep, to becoming an officer in the Navy flying both helicopters and the Osprey, and how that same mindset carried him into ultrarunning.

In just two years, Parker has gone from his first brutal 50K to winning his first backyard ultra. What makes his story stand out isn’t just the results, but how he approaches challenge, discomfort, and failure.

We dive into:

• Why “no” is never the final answer 
• How he mentally navigates pain and adversity 
• Lessons learned from backyard ultras and long-distance racing 
• The role of perspective in building resilience 
• Why signing up might be the hardest and most important step 

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, felt behind, or wondered what you’re capable of… this episode will challenge the way you think about limits.

Key takeaways:

• No is just information, not a verdict
• You don't need to feel ready, you just need to start
• Pain is something you can interpret, not just endure
• Perspective changes everything
• There's no substitute for lived experience
• Consistency beats perfection
• You're either growing or getting complacent

Follow Parker on Instagram @gonegumpin

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

"You don't need to be like Goggins to succeed."

What does it actually take to keep going when your body hurts, your mind is spiraling, and the race won’t end?

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, Jaci sits down with ultrarunner Dylan Ledbetter to break down the mindset and strategy behind succeeding in the Last Man Standing format and how his strategy has changed over time.

He's ran Midstate Mile three times, Barn Creek Backyard Ultra two times, Mad Backyard Ultra, and many other timed events and fixed distance events. And he's also gearing up to run Cocodona. He has an incredible story and is a proponent of faith, fitness and sobriety, and relies on discipline to get him through each day while looking towards ultimate progress. 

Dylan shares the simple but powerful approach that keeps him moving: stop thinking about the entire race and focus only on the next waypoint. Whether it’s a tree, a bridge, or the next aid station, staying present is what prevents the mental unravel that takes most runners out.

They dive into pacing discipline, how to recognize the “death spiral” before it’s too late, and why focusing on other runners can either hurt you or help you, depending on where you are mentally and physically.

The conversation also explores fueling strategies for long efforts, the importance of digestion over just hitting carb numbers, and how simplifying the process of racing can actually improve performance.

Beyond strategy, Dylan opens up about a major shift in his identity as a runner, from a prove-yourself, cutthroat mindset, to one rooted in community, gratitude, and helping others go further.

Dylan also shares the Three Chambers of Ultra Running: physical, mental and spiritual, and how you build them and move through them.

Follow Dylan on Instagram @dylan_abnormal

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

At some point in every backyard ultra or timed event, you’ll hit it: 2:00 a.m.

The moment where everything suddenly feels heavier, harder, and a little bit hopeless.

In this episode, we break down the psychological shift that happens in the middle of the night and why your brain becomes a completely unreliable narrator when fatigue, darkness, and sleep deprivation collide.

Because here’s the truth: Most runners don’t quit because their body is done. They quit because they believe the story their brain is telling them at 2 a.m.

You’ll learn why these thoughts feel so real, why they’re not, and how to respond in a way that keeps you moving forward when it matters most.

If you’ve ever questioned continuing in the middle of the night, this episode is for you.

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The most common “lies” your brain tells during overnight races
• Why your thoughts feel like truth (even when they’re not)
• The danger of making decisions in low moments
• How to separate feelings from facts in real time
• Simple mental strategies to stay in the race when everything feels off

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

This episode takes you inside Elm Creek Backyard Ultra, not just as a race, but as an experience shaped entirely around the athletes who show up to test their limits.

Race director, Nick Oswald, shares what makes Elm Creek different from other endurance events: an intentional, athlete-first approach where every decision, from logistics to volunteers, is designed to help runners go further than they thought possible.

At its core, Elm Creek feels less like a traditional race and more like a family picnic that just happens to last for days. Crews set up camp, volunteers settle in around bonfires, and runners return to the same start/finish area every hour, creating a space where spectators, families, and athletes are all part of the same shared experience. It’s accessible, welcoming, and uniquely social, whether you’re running one loop or pushing past 100 miles.

Nick gives a behind-the-scenes look at how much care goes into creating that environment. From managing timing and tracking runners for those following from afar, to ensuring aid station flow and volunteer support, the race team is constantly focused on one thing: making sure every athlete feels supported, seen, and set up to succeed.

From his vantage point at the start/finish line, Nick has witnessed the full spectrum of the backyard experience. He’s seen first-time runners fight to complete their very first loop, and seasoned athletes battle through the night chasing distances they’ve never reached before. He’s watched crews anxiously scan the darkness for their runner’s headlamp, and seen complete strangers come together to support uncrewed athletes, offering food, gear, and encouragement as the race goes on.

As the hours pass, something shifts. What starts as an individual challenge becomes a collective effort. Runners, crews, and volunteers begin working together, pulling each other forward, especially as milestones like 50K, 100K, and 100 miles approach. Some of the most powerful moments come when runners hit their limits, only to be turned back out for “one more loop” by the people around them.

Elm Creek isn’t just about distance. It’s about discovering what you’re capable of in an environment where everyone is invested in your success.

And according to Nick, that’s the magic of the backyard format: you come for the miles but you stay for the people, the persistence, and the possibility of going further than you ever planned.

Follow Elm Creek on Facebook and Instagram.

Elm Creek 2027 registration opens up on Labor Day - it sells out within 2-3 weeks so don't sit on the decision!

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

A 55-yard backyard ultra doesn’t happen by accident—and it definitely doesn’t happen alone.

In this episode of the One More Hour Podcast, Jaci sits down with Stormy and Samantha Hild to break down Stormy’s massive 55-yard performance at Queeny Backyard Ultra from both sides of the chair.

Stormy shares how he’s evolved from going out too fast and learning the hard way to developing a steady, repeatable approach that carried him over 200 miles. He dives into his mindset of “buying into the race,” why he believes most runners quit before their true limit, and how small decisions, like reacting to competitors, can make or break a performance late in the race.

But this conversation goes far beyond the runner.

Samantha gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually means to crew a backyard ultra, from tracking every carb and decision, to anticipating needs before they’re spoken, to managing the emotional rollercoaster of watching someone you love push to their absolute edge. She shares how crewing has shaped her as a runner, why communication (or lack of it) matters, and what most people don’t realize about the role crew plays in these races.

Together, they explore:

• Why pacing is one of the hardest (and most important) lessons in backyards 
• The balance between trusting your runner and stepping in when it matters 
• How fueling, gut issues, and decision-making evolve over 50+ hours 
• The mental battle of choosing to start “one more loop” 
• Why the backyard format exposes both your strengths and your blind spots 

Stormy also shares his creative “Pledge to the Park” fundraiser, where every completed loop turned into a donation, raising nearly $5,000 for local trails and adding an extra layer of purpose to every step.

Whether you’re a runner, a crew member, or someone curious about the backyard format, this episode gives you a raw, honest look at what it actually takes to keep going and why you might be capable of more than you think.

• Follow Stormy on Instagram @stormyhild
• Follow Samantha on Instagram @samanthahild_
• Stormy's Queeny blog post
• Work Hard Company

Key Takeaways

• Most runners don’t hit their true limit, they stop when their mind gets loud 
• If you are looking to go far, the first 12–24 hours of a backyard are just the “buy-in” 
• Crewing is proactive, not reactive. It’s about anticipating needs before they happen 
• Small mistakes compound late in the race (fueling, foot care, mindset) 
• You can’t control other runners but focusing on them can still cost you 
• The backyard ultra is as much about decision-making as it is about fitness

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, Jaci sits down with Jeff Walker. Teacher, father, husband, and newly crowned silver ticket winner to unpack the race (Queeny Backyard Ultra) that is sending him to Big’s Backyard Ultra.

Jeff shares his journey from a post-college fitness reset to running over 200 miles in a backyard format, and what finally clicked at Queeny to produce his breakthrough performance.

Jeff was drawn to backyard ultras not for distance but for the challenge of pushing past the moment he wanted to quit. He believes most backyard finishes aren't physical - they're mental. He's never felt like he truly reached his physical ceiling. The limiter is often what your brain convinces you is enough.

This conversation dives deep into the mental, strategic, and human side of backyard ultras, from pacing and sleep to self-talk and community.

Key takeaways:

• Protect the early hours
• Expect problems. Ultra running is problem solving.
• Simple training done consistently
• Most backyard ultra finishes are mental, not physical
• Community is a performance enhancer
• A plan changes everything
• Stop projecting. Stay in the hour.

Follow Jeff on Instagram @jcpwalker

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Most runners think backyard ultras fall apart in the middle of the night.

They don’t.

They fall apart in the first 10 yards.

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, we break down the most common mistake runners make early in backyard ultras: letting pacing, ego, and adrenaline take control.

Because the reality is: You’re not going too fast in an obvious way… You’re going too fast in ways you don’t feel yet.

This episode walks through:

• Why the first 10 yards feel deceptively easy
• How small pacing mistakes compound into big problems later
• The subtle ways adrenaline shows up early
• How ego influences decisions (even when you think it’s not)
• What proper early pacing should actually feel like
• A simple framework to set yourself up for a strong, long race

If you’ve ever blown up at 18–24 hours and couldn’t figure out why, this episode will help you connect the dots.

What You’ll Learn

• Why backyard races are lost early, not late
• The difference between running the clock vs running the day
• How adrenaline quietly drains your energy
• Why “this feels too easy” is a warning sign
• What true patience looks like in a backyard ultra
• How to pace with longevity in mind
• The compounding cost of small early mistakes

Key Takeaways

• The goal of the first 10 yards is preservation, not performance
• If it doesn’t feel almost boring, you’re likely going too hard
• Finishing faster early ≠ better — it often costs you later
• Ego shows up in subtle ways (and it can end your race)
• The runners who go far are often the most restrained early

Practical Framework for Your Next Backyard

• Cap your effort, not your pace
• Walk earlier than you think you need to
• Enter camp smoothly — don’t rush in
• Sit less than your ego wants to
• Detach from what everyone else is doing

And most importantly: Don’t make emotional decisions early. There’s nothing to solve yet.

Final Thought

The first 10 yards aren’t about proving you belong. They’re about proving you can wait. Master that and you give yourself a real shot at going one more hour.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

In this episode of the One More Hour Podcast, Jaci sits down with ultra runner TJ Harms-Synkiew, who took on one of the most unusual endurance challenges in running: Burrito League.

For the entire month of January, runners gathered in Tempe, Arizona (and many other Burrito League locations) to repeat the same 0.2-mile Strava segment (segments varied based on location) as many times as possible.

TJ ended the month with 1,070 miles, earning second place while navigating sleep deprivation, pavement fatigue, injury, and the mental grind of doing the same loop thousands of times.

For runners familiar with backyard ultras (he's got experience in backyard ultras as well), the mindset might feel familiar.

Just like backyard racing, Burrito League became a constant question: Can you go one more?

In this conversation, TJ shares:

• What it’s like to move 12–14 hours a day for nearly a month
• How he managed the mental lows of repetitive endurance
• Why community became the biggest factor in finishing
• The physical consequences of jumping from low mileage to 300-mile weeks
• Lessons about pain, persistence, and perspective

TJ also talks about the emotional comedown after the challenge ended. The sudden loss of routine, community, and movement that had defined his life for 26 days.

If you’ve ever wondered how far your mind can take you when your body wants to stop, this episode explores exactly that.

Because sometimes endurance isn’t about speed.

It’s about deciding to take one more step.

Follow TJ on Instagram

TJ's Substack

TJ's website https://coachcrewpace.com/

Key Takeaways

1. Break the challenge down. When the full distance becomes overwhelming, shrink the goal.
2. Community Changes Everything. Even though the challenge was individual, TJ says the biggest reason he kept going was the people around him.
3. Perspective Makes Hard Things Manageable. One of TJ’s most powerful coping strategies was perspective.
4. The Body Can Do More Than We Expect. TJ believed his legs were finished around 300 miles, then ran over 700 more miles.
5. The Aftermath Is Part of the Experience. One of the hardest parts came after Burrito League ended.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

In this powerful and vulnerable conversation, Jaci sits down with Jon Fischer, founder of Phase One, to explore what it really means to “stand the line” in racing and in life.

From surviving military training and near-death experiences to battling suicidal ideation and rebuilding his life through faith, fatherhood, and daily discipline, Jon shares the raw journey behind his evolution from performance-chasing ultrarunner to values-driven man.

Together, they unpack:

• Why consistency matters more than intensity
• How suffering can forge endurance, character, and hope
• The shift from outcome goals to values-based living
• How your weakest moments are your defining moments
• Confidence tokens
• Suffering is a gift to find out what you can endure
• Why daily, unseen work shapes who you become
• The power of backyard and last-one-standing formats to reveal your true limits
• How to match fear with courage when you step to the line

Jon also shares why he runs six miles every single day. Not for performance, not for validation, but as a commitment to holistic strength: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

This episode is an invitation to volunteer for discomfort, to show up when motivation is gone, and to inspire yourself first.

Because the finish line isn’t what defines you; the daily decision to stand the line again does.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re capable of “one more,” this conversation is for you.

Learn more about Phase One at https://www.phase1missions.com/ and follow on Instagram.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

This is an episode about progression.

About adjusting on the fly.

About nutrition saving races.

And about learning to stay when your brain tells you to quit.

In this episode of the One More Hour podcast, Megan Smyth shares her evolution from middle-distance track athlete to one of the strongest and most consistent backyard competitors in the country. Megan discusses her evolution as a runner, emphasizing the importance of maintaining joy in the sport, especially after experiencing burnout during her college years. She highlights how finding a supportive running community reignited her passion and led her to explore longer distances, ultimately excelling in the backyard ultra format.

Megan's insights provide valuable lessons for both seasoned and aspiring ultra runners. She recounts her experiences at the Summit Backyard Ultra, where she progressively improved her performance over the years, culminating in a remarkable 62-yard finish. She reflects on the mental challenges of ultra running, including the importance of pacing, nutrition, and the camaraderie that develops among participants.

The conversation also delves into her recent success at the Raven 24 Hour event, where she achieved a US team qualifying mark at 132 miles, showcasing her adaptability and strategic approach to different race formats.

Megan also delves into her training philosophy, highlighting the importance of consistent mileage and strength training to prepare for ultra events. She shares practical advice for runners, especially those new to the backyard ultra format, encouraging them to embrace the experience and focus on their personal goals rather than specific mileage targets.

For Runners Hesitant to Try a Backyard

Megan says: If you're already curious, what’s the downside?

• You’re never more than 2 miles from camp.
• You can self-rescue anytime.
• You can’t go out too fast.
• You get built-in rest.
• The camaraderie is unmatched.

Some people try one and never look back.

This episode is about:

Consistency over flash.

Adjusting without drama.

Fueling like it matters (because it does).

And choosing to stay one more hour.

Follow Megan's journey on Instagram @runningnutmeg and Strava as she takes on Banana Slug Backyard for a Silver Coin on the US Team and her other big future adventures.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

 Walking isn’t a failure in a backyard ultra. It’s a skill. 

 In this episode, Jaci breaks down why hiking and intentional walking are essential for going further in the backyard format and why most runners underestimate how much speed and efficiency they can gain by improving their slowest miles. 

 You’ll learn: 

• Why trail pace should never be compared to road pace
• Why walking the hills early conserves energy and delays fatigue
• How improving hiking speed often gives more return than trying to run faster
• Why coming in with too much time left each loop is wasted energy
• How walking helps regulate heart rate, body temperature, fueling needs, and GI stress
• The two biggest walking mistakes new backyard runners make
• Why efficient hill hiking actually makes you faster on flat terrain

If you haven’t already, listen to Episode 8 on pacing, which pairs perfectly with this conversation.

The backyard ultra is easy until it isn’t. What makes it hard isn't walking; it's running too much too soon.

Learning how (and when) to walk is how you stay in the game longer.
 

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

What happens when curiosity leads the way?

Mary Namestnik shares her journey from road racing to ultras, falling in love with the backyard ultra format, and most recently running 260+ miles at Across the Years, her first six-day timed event. Together, they unpack the mental and physical lessons that come from races without a fixed finish line, where patience, systems, and self-awareness matter more than pace or ego.

This conversation dives deep into mindset management, pain vs. injury decision-making, pacing mistakes, night loop strategies, crewing dynamics, and why women may actually be uniquely suited for the backyard format, yet underrepresented in it.

Whether you’re backyard-curious, training for a timed event, or simply interested in learning how runners push past perceived limits, this episode offers powerful insights into endurance, belief, and staying present one yard at a time.

Follow Mary on Instagram @maryrunsultras.

Mary's website

Bob's Big Tom's Backyard Ultra

The Bullshit Backyard Ultra

What We Cover in This Episode

• Mary’s path from marathon running to ultras and backyard events
• What running 260+ miles at Across the Years taught her about patience and recovery
• Why going too fast early is one of the biggest mistakes in both backyards and timed events
• How backyard ultras build skills that transfer to longer fixed-distance races
• The importance of systems over motivation in long endurance events
• Managing pain vs. identifying true injury red flags
• Why “keeping your feet moving” is often the most powerful strategy
• Night loop strategies, rest, and “pretending to sleep”
• The role of crew and how the right kind of push matters
• Overpacking vs. preparedness in backyard setups
• Why looser goals can lead to better outcomes
• The misunderstood nature of the backyard ultra format
• Why women are underrepresented in backyard ultras and why they may actually excel
• Reframing the DNF narrative and redefining success in last-person-standing races

Key Takeaways

• Curiosity can take you farther than rigid goals
• Decision fatigue ends races; systems extend them
• Pain is something to manage; injury is something to respect
• The hardest part is starting the next yard
• Backyard ultras aren’t about suffering early, they’re about patience
• Women belong in the backyard, and the format has the potential to unlock confidence in powerful ways

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Packing for a backyard ultra can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first one. In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, I break down what gear actually matters, what runners tend to overthink, and how being organized and practiced can make or break your race.

Backyard ultras reward preparation, not perfection. You don’t need everything. You need the right things, practiced systems, and the ability to move efficiently between loops as fatigue sets in.

Whether you’re running self-supported or with a crew, this episode will help you simplify your setup, reduce decision fatigue, and focus your energy where it matters most: staying in the game.

What we cover in this episode:

• Gear to consider bringing
• What not to overthink
• How to think about organization
• Practicing everything in training
• Reducing decision fatigue

You don’t win a backyard ultra by having the most gear. You go farther by knowing what to bring, where it is, and how to use it without thinking. Preparation isn’t about control. It’s about conserving energy for the work that matters.

Related Episodes

• Episode 6: Mastering Footcare in Ultras with Trail Medic Natasha Swartley (aka Thor)
• Episode 8: Pacing for Backyard Ultras
• Episode 9: Crew vs. Self-Supported
• Episode 18: Preventing Foot Issues in Multi-Day Ultras with Dr. Tonya Olson

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

In this episode of the One More Hour podcast, we welcome Dr. Tonya Olson, a board-certified doctor of physical therapy and co-author of the seventh edition of "Fixing Your Feet." The conversation centers around the critical importance of foot care for runners, especially those participating in endurance events like marathons and ultra marathons.

Dr. Tonya emphasizes that foot issues are often one of two leading cause of dropouts in ultramarathons (the other is GI problems), and she shares practical advice on how to prevent common problems such as blisters, hot spots, and toenail issues. She advocates for a proactive approach to foot care, encouraging runners to incorporate foot health into their training plans and to be mindful of their foot mechanics and shoe choices.

Dr. Tonya also discusses her extensive experience in foot care at events like Western States 100 (going on 17 years the Michigan Bluff Aid Station at mile 55) and highlights the need for runners to develop a foot care kit and routine. She stresses the importance of understanding the body's signals and being curious about one's own foot health. The episode is packed with insights on how to maintain foot health for longevity in running, making it a must-listen for anyone serious about their running journey.

Things every runner should have for foot care:
• Needle
• 72% alcohol hand sanitizer
• Liquid resin: Skin-Tac or Mastisol
• Pre-cut tape
• Alcohol swab
• Scissors

Dr. Tonya's links:
Website
Book
Instagram @tonyakolsondpt
YouTube (dozens of videos on taping your feet and on footcare products)
Heel raise protocol
Foot strengthening video

Takeaways
  • Prevent maceration
  • You don't have the luxury of not liking feet.
  • Every runner should know how to tape toes and feet.
  • Foot care is largely completely preventable.
  • Calluses are information; they're telling you that you have a concentrated area of friction.
  • Never in the history of a blister has one ever gotten better by ignoring it.
  • Be curious about your foot health and why issues are occurring.
  • You should have a foot care kit with the basics: resin, hand sanitizer, pre-cut tape and a needle.
  • The best way to test your ankle mobility is the knee to wall test.
  • Runners need to communicsate symptoms clearly to their crew.
  • Understanding the mechanics of why things are getting injured is crucial.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

If you’ve ever felt confused about bronze tickets, silver tickets, gold tickets, or how runners actually qualify for Big’s Backyard Ultra, this episode breaks it all down in a clear, no-fluff way.

In this short episode, we walk through how the backyard ultra qualification system works, what each “ticket” really means, and how runners progress from local backyard races all the way to the World Championships at Big Dog’s Backyard in Tennessee.

This episode is designed to help you understand the system without assuming you’re already chasing Big’s, whether you’re brand new to the backyard format or just curious about how the pathway works.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• What a Bronze Ticket is and how you earn one
• What a Silver Ticket Event is and why winning matters
• How National Backyard Ultra Teams are formed
• The role of At-Large qualifying and why big performances still matter
• What people mean by the “Gold Ticket” and the World Team Championships
• How runners ultimately qualify for Big’s Backyard Ultra
• Why most runners don’t need to worry about Big’s yet and why that’s okay

Key Takeaways:

• Tickets are awarded to the Last Runner Standing, not based on mileage alone
• You don’t need to win a race to be competitive through the At-Large pathway
• Strong backyard performances over time are what open doors
• The backyard system rewards patience, consistency, and experience

Links:

Big's Backyard website

Silver Ticket Events

2026 World Championship Team

The Road to Big's World Team USA Brackets

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Nick Petterson finished 65 yards (270 miles) at Summit Backyard Ultra: The Last Dance, placing top three in a stacked silver-ticket field.

In this episode, Nick joins Jaci to talk about what it takes to keep showing up hour after hour, day after day, in the backyard ultra format. From pacing and fueling to mindset, crew dynamics, and late-race decision-making, Nick shares the lessons learned from competing deep into the field, and then how he turned around to win another backyard just weeks later.

This conversation dives into the mental battles, the resets between yards, and why backyard ultras may be one of the most accessible ways to step into ultrarunning.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Runners curious about Backyard Ultras or timed events
• Ultrarunners looking to improve mindset and late-race decision-making
• Athletes who want to understand what it takes to go beyond 100 miles
• Anyone fascinated by the mental side of endurance sports

Key Takeaways:

• Backyard ultras aren’t about speed; they’re about consistency, restraint, and resets
• Mental toughness isn’t fixed; it’s built through repeated exposure to discomfort
• The hardest decisions often happen between the loops, not during them
• Community and shared effort can push runners farther than competition alone
• You don’t need to know how far you can go, just whether you’re willing to start again

Follow Nick on Instagram @nickp_runs and Strava

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website 

Looking to improve at your next ultramarathon OR looking to run your first ultra? A backyard ultra will help you with both!

Backyard ultras and timed events often get misunderstood. They’re seen as intimidating, extreme, not a real ultra, or a soft ultra. But in reality, these formats are some of the most accessible, supportive, and effective ways to explore ultra running, especially if you’re stepping beyond the marathon for the first time.

In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, I break down why backyard ultras and timed events are such powerful entry points into endurance racing. We talk about how the format reduces logistical overwhelm, allows you to test gear and fueling safely, builds mental resilience through repetition and quick resets, and completely reframes what success looks like in ultra running.

Whether you’re ultra-curious, training for your first long event, or simply wondering how far you’re capable of going, this episode will help you see the backyard format in a new way.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why you don’t need a crew to run a backyard ultra, and how built-in community support changes the experience
• How frequent access to aid makes gear and fueling experimentation easier and safer
• Why simplified logistics lead to better focus, less stress, and stronger execution
• How backyard ultras help you train your mindset through small, repeatable challenges
• How timed events and backyard formats redefine success and remove the fear of “DNF”
• Who this format is best suited for and how it can build confidence for future ultra goals

Thinking about running your first backyard ultra?

If you want help building the strength, mindset, and strategy to go farther than you ever have before, this is exactly what I coach runners through.

👉 Let's chat for 15min or apply for coaching
👉 Or send me a message on Instagram and let’s talk about your goals

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them) 

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website