Summary

Join me on my journey prepping for my very first ultra marathon! It’s been a mix of excitement and nerves as I dive into the challenge, which originally started as a wild idea to do a unique looping run from my home. Turns out, my idea was not novel at all, and there’s a whole community around this kind of thing, like the Backyard Ultra! I talk about why I’m really doing this. It’s all about pushing myself, not seeking validation from others. I also share the behind-the-scenes planning, from preparing for the terrain to figuring out nutrition and building the mental toughness needed for the race. Join me as I walk through this prep, share insights, and connect with other runners along the way.

Chapters

• 00:10 - Embarking on a New Challenge
• 01:44 - Personal Insights on Running Events
• 02:22 - Preparing for the 50k Ultra Marathon
• 04:19 - Preparing for a New Challenge
• 05:47 - Preparing for the Ultra: Footwear and Comfort Tips

How I Procrastinate

• Sleep with Rock Stars
• Making Playlists
• Dive Bar Music Club
• Country Fried Rock, Podcast Archives from 2009-2020
• Support this Podcast

Recommended If You Like

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Transcript

00:00:01.680 - 00:06:59.380

To be honest, it kind of ticked me off that somebody already came up with the idea. Hey y', all, thanks for stumbling into Mama runs an Ultra. I'm a runner on the downhill side of my 50s who decided I'm gonna run my first Ultra.

What the hell am I thinking? As I shared, I've been spinning around this idea of doing an Ultra in some capacity for the last two or three years. And.

And my first plan was that I would have everybody out to my house to tailgate in my yard for my birthday while I went and ran this about three and a half mile loop from my house every hour on the hour.

And I talked about this for quite a while, thinking that I had come up with the greatest idea ever, only to discover that apparently this is a thing not only every hour on the hour races or time races of time, typically 6, 12, even more hours. But also there's something called a backyard Ultra. Okay, this is an official thing. And I had no idea. I had never heard of this. No clue.

And That's a almost 4.1-ish-mile loop every hour on the hour. And you're out when you can no longer complete the loop in the hour. They could go on for days.

But I was super disappointed to discover that apparently there's thousands of people out there who do this all the time. All right, so call me Scoop.

But the main reason that I decided not to do this every hour on the hour 3 ish mile loop near my house was I mentioned it at the gym one day and one of my friends who is an attorney said, hey, maybe not, because if your friends decide to run with you, you could potentially have liability if something happened to...

Summary

In this episode, we get real about the messy mix of running, life stress, and whatever’s going on in our heads, especially when training for something as daunting as an ultra. After a rough half marathon that felt like one long mental battle, our host talks about how emotional overload can totally derail a race. There’s also an unexpected cameo from Boz Scaggs’ “Lido Shuffle,” which ended up looping through the run and becoming this weird little window into their mood and mindset. We chat about what our go-to running songs say about us, how playlists evolve with our training, and why music can be such a lifeline on the hard days. And of course, we want to hear from you: what tracks keep you moving on those long runs?

Chapters

• 00:09 - Introduction to My Running Journey
• 00:45 - Navigating Life's Challenges: The Sandwich Generation
• 03:28 - The Challenge of the Process
• 06:15 - The Intersection of Music and Running
• 07:56 - Exploring Music and Podcasts

Links

• My Apple Music running mix
• countryfriedrock.com podcast from 2009-2020 with archives slowly returning
• divebarmusicclub.com new podcast launching 2026 where I chat with some of my music friends about what we're listening to right now
• Sleep with Rock Stars, the Gen X Sleep Podcast
• Support this Podcast

Recommended If You Like

running playlist, ultra running, half marathon experience, running challenges, training for ultra marathons, running motivation, music for running, running headspace, overcoming race challenges, running in your 50s, running gear, running podcasts, coping with running stress, race day preparation, running tips for older athletes, music and running performance, mental aspect of running, running community, running reflections, personal running journey

Transcript

So now I'm kind of wondering if my running playlist is my subconscious. Why else would I have Boz Skaggs Lido Shuffle on there? Hey, y', all, thanks for finding Mama Runs an Ultra.

I'm a runner on the downhill side of my 50s who decided to run my very first ultra. And this podcast is helping me think out loud. How did I get here?

So I just got some horrendous official photos back from a late fall half marathon that I did. I'm not going to name it. It was a fantastic half marathon. I just had one horrific days every so often. Well, let me take that back.

I'm not sure I've ever actually had a race that went as badly as this did for no identifiable reason other than my training block was full of a lot of life stress. I don't know if any of y' all are in this whole sandwich generation situation of you still have kids and you're taking care of parents and it sucks.

Nobody told nobody. Nobody prepared me for this. My parents did not deal with this with their parents.

And I don't want to get into the drama of it all, but just to say I was not emotionally prepared for this. Never mind all the other details. I hate it. And that's me being nice about all of this.

Anyway, I think that's really what impacted this particular training cycle on this half marathon that I did. Because the race itself was fantastic. Drivable distance, well located race hotel, good logistics for the event itself, perfect weather for running.

It just didn't go well. I felt terrible and I couldn't salvage the day. I finished, nothing was broken,...

Summary

In this episode of Momma Runs an Ultra, we splash straight into the sweet spot where weather and running collide. I share why a rainy run makes me happy as I gear up for my very first ultra marathon. From prepping for the training to navigating whatever the sky decides to throw at me, I talk through the mindset it takes to train outdoors when the forecast loves surprises. I also chat about the idea of bringing a coach on board and why clear, honest communication might be just as important as logging miles. Join me for a joyful, slightly soggy riff on embracing the messy magic of running toward a big, brave goal. Really, I'm just procrastinating.

Links

• Music Playlists
• Sleep with Rock Stars, the Gen X Sleep Podcast
• Dive Bar Music Club, the Low Key, High Taste Happy Hour for Music Nerds
• Country Fried Rock, Podcast Archives from 2009-2020
• Support this Podcast

Chapters

• 00:00 - Running in the Rain
• 01:38 - Understanding the Weather's Impact on Running
• 03:22 - Running in Different Weather Conditions
• 05:28 - Preparing for the Ultra Marathon
• 07:09 - Navigating Coaching Relationships
• 09:40 - Preparing for the Ultra Challenge

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Transcript

00:00:00.240 - 00:10:17.570

I kind of like running in the rain. I mean, not really when it's like 36 and pouring rain all winter. Like when I lived in the Midwest. No shade to y'. All.

Seriously, I'm just not that tough. But like 50 to 90 degrees, pouring rain, no thunder and lightning. I am all about a wet run like that.

And as y' all can probably hear it, it's pouring rain right now. Which made me think about this. Hey, welcome to Mama Runs in Ultra.

I'm a runner in my late 50s who decided it would be a really great idea to run my first ultra. And this podcast is helping me figure out what the hell am I thinking.

So when I decided that I wanted to run an ultra, I spent a couple years listening to podcasts and watching some videos on YouTube about ultra running. And mostly I found these amazing videos about mountain running.

I love a beautiful vacation hike to somewhere with mountains, but I live in flatland in the middle of the swamp in South Carolina. I am completely unprepared to run on a mountain in any capacity. And honestly, it doesn't appeal to me as something to do for myself.

I love watching it. It's beautiful, but I don't want to do that. So I didn't even know that ultras on rail trails or paths even existed.

In fact, I didn't even really figure that out until a couple months ago when I signed up for my actual race. But the pouring rain made me think about it because the conditions are definitely part of the training.

And I'm one of those, I only run outdoors kind of people. I can do that. I live in South Carolina. Our weather is pretty good most of the time. I've gotten in six miles in my driveway in...

Summary

Plot twist: my uterus did NOT fall out.

In this episode, I wander back through the strangely misguided athletics messages of my youth, namely, that girls absolutely should not run because, according to my parents, my uterus might fall out. (Yes, really.) Fast-forward a few decades, and here I am in my mid-50s, having gone from enthusiastic fitness walker to full-blown runner, now staring down the start line of my very first ultra-marathon.

I share how I got from “running is forbidden” to “sure, let’s run absurd distances for fun,” and how shedding those old myths opened the door to a passion I never saw coming. It’s a story about hilariously outdated advice and discovering that it’s never too late to choose your own adventure, especially one with a lot of miles.

Join me as I puzzle, laugh, and jog my way into this unexpected chapter as Momma Runs an Ultra.

Links

• Music Playlists
• Sleep with Rock Stars, the Gen X Sleep Podcast
• Dive Bar Music Club, the Low Key, High Taste Happy Hour for Music Nerds
• Country Fried Rock, Podcast Archives from 2009-2020
• Support this Podcast

Chapters

• 00:05 - Starting the Ultra Journey
• 00:16 - The Journey to Running
• 01:31 - The Journey to Running: Breaking Barriers
• 02:08 - A New Approach to Fitness: From Walking to Running
• 03:04 - The Journey to Ultra Running
• 03:18 - The Journey to Ultra Running

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Transcript

00:00:00.480 - 00:03:22.800

I mean, plot twist. My uterus did not even fall out. Hey, y', all, this is Mama Runs an Ultra.

I'm a runner on the downhill side of my 50s who kind of said, hey, y', all, watch this. And signed up to run my very first ultra. As of today, December 5, 2025, I have never run further than 16 miles.

And the race I'm signed up for is like 30 something. And I'm still in that stage of going. What the hell was I thinking? I did not grow up as a runner.

In fact, I was not allowed to run when I was in high school. I wanted to do cross country because they seemed kind of like a cool group of folks.

And I really liked the fact that you could be part of the team and never, ever have to run the races because only the top seven got to run. And my school was one of those pretty competitive schools, so there was no way that was ever going to happen for me.

Well, the summer before the season that I wanted to run, the coach sent a summer training plan on a piece of paper to our house for new runners. And the first step was run a mile. Well, I couldn't run a mile. And then my parents read the list and they said, you're not allowed to do that.

Your uterus will fall out. Looking back on this from my 50s, I can tell you if your uterus would fall out from distance running. So many women would be running voluntarily.

But plot twist, my uterus did not fall out, but I also did not run the mile ever. I wasn't allowed to because it was too far for girls. And at the...

Summary

Ever decide to celebrate a birthday with something epic…and then immediately wonder what on earth you just signed up for? That’s basically how I tumbled into the world of ultra-running. Back in 2020, I had grand plans for a 50K to mark turning 50, but the pandemic had other ideas. Cue a lot of reflection, some mild existential spiraling, and the growing realization that my 50s weren’t going to wait around for me to face Big, Scary Goals.

So in Momma Runs an Ultra, I talk about finally taking the plunge and registering for my very first ultra, even though I’m still not entirely sure how may miles these kilometers are, how many snacks I can handle while running, or whether my I can even do it. It’s a mix of excitement, confusion, and the kind of “Why am I doing this?” energy that pairs perfectly with a long run.

Join me as I jog into this wild new chapter. Let’s see how far we can go.

Links

• Music Playlists
• Sleep with Rock Stars, the Gen X Sleep Podcast
• Dive Bar Music Club, the Low Key, High Taste Happy Hour for Music Nerds
• Country Fried Rock, Podcast Archives from 2009-2020
• Support this Podcast

Chapters

• 00:13 - The Impact of the Pandemic on Personal Goals
• 00:18 - A New Beginning in Running
• 00:43 - Understanding Ultra Marathons
• 00:57 - Reflections on Choices

Recommended If You Like

running motivation, ultra marathon training, 50K race preparation, pandemic running journey, celebrating 50th birthday, consistency in running, running in your 50s, ultra running experiences, long-distance running tips, race day expectations, running community support, personal fitness goals, overcoming running challenges, 5K to ultra transition, preparing for ultra races, running milestones, finding joy in running, age and fitness, mental health and running, podcast about running stories, masters running, grand masters

Transcript

00:00:00.720 - 00:01:08.930

So back in 2020, I had big plans for my running. I was going to celebrate my 50th birthday with a 50K. I was already 50.

And that's where it kind of kicked in of like, ooh, I've done nothing with my life. And then the pandemic. So the race got canceled. I never did it, but I did start running consistently.

Fast forward to 2025, and I was like, well, I am running out of years in my 50s. I better start making this happen.

And one thing led to another, and I saw this race that kind of reminded me of all of my theater friends grow up, as if they all decided to go run really, really long distances. Next thing I knew, I was waking up bright and early to sign up for my first ultra.

I mean, I'm the kind of person that when I run a 5k, I'm mad if it's not exactly 3.11 miles in ultras. It's a whole different deal. Like a 50k might be 48k, it might be 56k. You don't really know. It could change when you show up.

What the hell am I thinking? Well, I'm going to share it all with you as Mama runs an ultra.

Subscribe to the podcast now and help me figure out why I didn't just go buy my high school car.