Becoming Ultra

Becoming Ultra Becoming Ultra tells the story of first ultra's and the journey to get there. Resources, community, training and inspiration for aspiring ultra runners!

650 volunteers. One very hard 100-mile race.Hardrock doesn’t happen because of the runners alone. It happens because hun...
09/01/2026

650 volunteers. One very hard 100-mile race.

Hardrock doesn’t happen because of the runners alone. It happens because hundreds of people show up to mark course, work aid stations, support athletes, handle logistics, and keep the whole thing moving. Bill Schum gives us a look at the community behind Hardrock and why volunteering is such a huge part of what makes this race special.

🎧 New episode out now.

08/29/2026

At the back of the pack, you may not have a pack at all. The course is quieter. Aid-station choices can be fewer. Other runners may already be home while you still have hours ahead of you and you have to keep finding reasons to move forward.

Being near the back doesn’t mean the effort is easier. It often requires a different kind of mental toughness.

Mandy Hansel shares what she wishes more runners understood in our latest episode.

08/27/2026

“What if I finish last?” That fear keeps a lot of people from ever signing up. But finishing at the back is still something worth celebrating. Choose an event that fits you, show up, and give it a try. And even if the day doesn’t end with an official finish, what you accomplished still matters.

Hear more from Mandy Hansel on our latest episode.

At the back of the pack, the miles are often quieter, the aid stations may have less left, and sometimes the finish line...
08/26/2026

At the back of the pack, the miles are often quieter, the aid stations may have less left, and sometimes the finish line is already coming down.

Mandy Hansel knows exactly how that feels. She has been chased by sweepers, missed cutoffs, and finished DFL and she believes those experiences are worth talking about and even celebrating.

Now, as an ultrarunner and co-founder of , Mandy () helps create races where runners and hikers of every pace are welcomed, supported, and still celebrated at the finish.

In this episode, Mandy and Scott talk about the mental strength required at the back of the pack, the fear of finishing last, choosing races with the right cutoffs, and what race directors can do to make every participant feel like their effort matters.

Because finishing last isn’t the same as failing.

🎧 The Last Finisher Matters. Celebrating the Back of the Pack with Mandy Hansel is out now.

08/20/2026

The first half of the race is about patience. Danny Murphy shares why sticking to your plan early can set up a much stronger second half.

🎧 Full episode on Becoming Ultra.

How fast should you actually be moving at mile 20… 50… or 80 of an ultra? Scott talks with Danny Murphy, ultrarunner, e...
08/18/2026

How fast should you actually be moving at mile 20… 50… or 80 of an ultra? Scott talks with Danny Murphy, ultrarunner, engineer, and founder of .

They get into why even splits usually don’t make sense in an ultra, how terrain, elevation, heat, altitude, fatigue and darkness can change your pace, and how a good race plan can help you start smarter without taking all the adventure out of race day.

If you’ve ever stared at a course profile wondering, “How am I supposed to pace this?” this one’s for you.

🎧 New episode out now.

08/17/2026

Ultrarunners are a little different and finding a provider who actually understands the sport can make a huge difference. Dr. Mandy Riehl shares why more and more of her work is focused on trail and ultra runners, and the unique challenge of helping someone go from “I can’t run a mile” back to training for a 100-miler.

🎧 Full episode on Becoming Ultra.

08/16/2026

Can you run through IT band syndrome? Dr. Mandy Riehl explains what true IT band syndrome can feel like and why it’s one of those injuries that can make the decision for you.

🎧 Full episode on Becoming Ultra.

08/11/2026

Dr. Mandy Riehl works with trail and ultra runners and keeps the message simple. If you’re lifting for performance and injury resilience, lift heavy, do it well, and don’t overcomplicate it.

In today’s new episode of Becoming Ultra, Scott and Mandy talk about strength training, common running injuries, what we often get wrong about pain, and how to build runners who can stay in the sport for the long haul.

🎧 New episode out now!

08/08/2026

We’ve gotten better at making space for everyone to participate. Matt Lamos believes we can take that one step further: give everyone the opportunity to push, work toward something hard and discover what they’re capable of.

The goal doesn’t have to be a 100-miler. It could be walking one mile, learning to ride a scooter or getting on a bike. The distance isn’t the point. It’s having the chance to try, feel that sense of accomplishment and decide, “I want to do the next thing.”

That belief is at the heart of , inspired in large part by Matt’s daughter, Lilly.

🎧 Hear the full conversation with on Becoming Ultra wherever you listen to podcasts.

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