Buckle Up: An Ultrarunning Conversation

What happens when you trade self-doubt for "scary" goals?On the latest episode of Buckle Up: An Ultrarunning Conversation, we had the pleasure of interviewing Joe Hardin—founder of Odd Duck Running, race director, and ultra-distance athlete.Joe’s journey into endurance sports started with sobriety, early morning treadmill walks, and a local 5K. Fast forward to today, and he recently completed Laz Lake’s infamous Vol State 500K—a 314-mile unassisted journey run across Tennessee—in 8 days and 8 hours.Key takeaways from our conversation:The Power of Community: How unexpected kindness from "Road Angels" (volunteers offering porches, showers, and meals) restores faith in humanity during extreme physical efforts.Reframing Milestones: Why there is no such thing as "just a 5K"—every starting line represents a massive personal victory.Taking Big Swings: Why leaders, athletes, and builders should set goals large enough to feel intimidating, because trying and falling short is still a win over staying stagnant.Through Odd Duck Running, Joe is now expanding events, giving back to charity, and creating spaces where every runner feels like they’ve found "their people."

Elliot Murphy shares his first 100-mile ultramarathon experience at Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd, discussing the physical and mental challenges, fueling strategies, and lessons learned that can inspire and guide aspiring ultrarunners.

In this conversation, Elliot Murphy shares his journey into ultra running, discussing his preparation for the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd (PHH), his experiences with grief, and how running has transformed his life. He emphasizes the importance of community, mental resilience, and the role of faith in his running journey. Elliot also highlights his partnership with Comfort Zone Camp, a charity supporting young people through grief, as he prepares to run for a cause that resonates deeply with him.Check back in next week to see how it all goes for Elliot!And check out these links too:https://comfortzonecamp.org/https://www.relayforamerica.org/https://www.instagram.com/elliotmurphyy/

In this conversation, Coach Brian, Mandy Mullen, and Brian Reynolds discuss the challenges and triumphs of Brian's journey as a double amputee who has taken on the Leadville Trail 100. They explore the chaos of back-to-school routines, the evolution of Brian's running journey, and the importance of community support in overcoming adversity. Brian shares his experiences with prosthetics, the shift in his mindset towards physical activity, and the significance of his crew during the race. In this conversation, Brian shares his journey through ultra running, focusing on the importance of community support, overcoming challenges with prosthetics, and the emotional highs and lows of racing. He reflects on his experiences at the Leadville Trail, the lessons learned from past attempts, and the joy of finally finishing the race. The discussion highlights the power of inspiration and motivation found in the ultra running community, as well as Brian's future aspirations beyond racing.

Join us as we delve into Adrian McDonald's remarkable four-time Leadville Trail 100 finish, including three wins, and explore his training, nutrition, and race strategies that make him a top contender in ultra running.

In this conversation, Daniel discusses his innovative app, Back My Run, which allows runners to receive motivational voice notes from friends and family during races. The app aims to enhance the running experience by providing emotional support at critical moments. Daniel shares insights into the app's functionality, the inspiration behind its creation, user feedback, and marketing strategies. The discussion also touches on the potential for future features and the broader implications of the app in the running community.

In this conversation, Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen speak with Croix Sather about his recent attempt to cross Death Valley in a self-supported ultra marathon. Croix shares his journey from being a carpenter to becoming an ultra athlete, detailing his past attempts at the Badwater crossing, the challenges he faced during his latest attempt, and the lessons learned about resilience and pursuing dreams. Despite not breaking the record or completing the distance, Croix emphasizes the importance of going after one's dreams and the experiences gained along the way. In this conversation, Croix shares his harrowing experience attempting to run in Death Valley, where he faced life-threatening conditions. He reflects on the importance of listening to one's body, the role of support teams in extreme sports, and the emotional aftermath of pushing physical limits. The discussion also delves into finding meaning in challenges beyond extreme sports and the journey ahead, including plans for a documentary and book about his experiences.https://www.deathvalleyrun.com/

In this episode, Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen discuss their extensive experiences with the Leadville Trail 100, including the impact of recent wildfires on the course and the resulting reroutes. They dive deep into the reroutes and how it will impact the event from the participant perspective. There are slight changes for the crew and pacer exchanges. They emphasize the importance of understanding the logistical changes for runners and crews, particularly regarding aid stations and nutrition planning. The conversation also touches on the psychological aspects of adapting to course changes and the community's support for the race. Ultimately, they express excitement for the upcoming event and encourage listeners to support the local economy.

Episode Overview:In this episode, Coach Brian sits down with ultra runner Doug McCaw II to break down his recent adventure on the Colorado Trail's infamous Collegiate Peaks Loop in late June. Doug shares the highs, lows, and crucial adjustments that allowed him to push through extreme altitude, brutal terrain, and unpredictable mountain weather. Beyond the trail, they dive into the power of community, mental resilience, and how you can get involved with Elevate Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through active support.The Collegiate Peaks Loop Challenge: A deep dive into route logistics, elevation profiles, and what makes this section of the Colorado Trail one of the most grueling endurance tests in the Rockies.Dialing in the Strategy: How consistent preparation, precise pacing, and smart nutrition/sleep management transformed Doug’s performance compared to previous attempts.High-Altitude Execution: Managing maximum heart rate efforts, adapting to harsh weather windows, and overcoming physical fatigue above tree line.Driven by Purpose: Exploring the mission behind Elevate Kids and how aligning endurance efforts with non-profit work fuels mental toughness when the going gets tough.

When we think of elite mountain runners pushing their limits on some of the world’s most grueling courses—like Hardrock 100—we often focus solely on physical grit. But what happens when the biggest challenges aren't the vertical gain, but the internal struggles we carry along the way?In this episode of Buckle Up: An Ultrarunning Conversation, we sit down with world-class ultrarunner Katharina Hartmuth for a deeply honest conversation on mental health, therapy, and the true meaning of resilience on and off the trail.We dive into the story behind the compelling documentary Katarina by Ethan Newberry, exploring how running can serve as a powerful tool for processing emotions while recognizing why it’s never a replacement for professional help. Katharina opens up about cultural shifts around mental health, navigating training through mountain challenges and wildfires, breaking down stigmas in sports, and the incredible support network within the ultra community.Whether you're lining up for your next 100-mile race or navigating your own personal peaks and valleys, Katharina’s perspective is a vital reminder that seeking help is a sign of strength—and that better times are always ahead.Youtube:https://youtu.be/y3dPZEEwTFI?si=hFTweUpxTmJiVXxt